20-F 1 d20f.htm FORM 20-F Form 20-F
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 2003


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 20-F

 


 

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or

15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Commission File Number 001-15266

 


 

BANCO DE CHILE

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

BANK OF CHILE

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

Republic of Chile

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 


 

Banco de Chile

Ahumada 251

Santiago, Chile

(562) 637-1111

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


 

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

 

Title of each class


 

Name of each exchange

on which registered


American Depositary Shares, each representing 600 shares of

common stock, without nominal (par) value (“ADSs”)

  New York Stock Exchange
Shares of common stock, without nominal (par) value  

New York Stock Exchange

(for listing purposes only)

 

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

 

None

 

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

 

None

 


 

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

 

Shares of common stock: 68,079,783,605

 

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

 

Yes  x                No  ¨

 

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

 

Item 17  ¨    Item 18  x

 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

     PART I     

Item 1.

  

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

   2

Item 2.

  

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

   2

Item 3.

  

Key Information

   3

Item 4.

  

Information on the Company

   16

Item 5.

  

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

   79

Item 6.

  

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

   104

Item 7.

  

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

   112

Item 8.

  

Financial Information

   116

Item 9.

  

The Offer and the Listing

   117

Item 10.

  

Additional Information

   120

Item 11.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   134

Item 12.

  

Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

   144
     PART II     

Item 13.

  

Defaults, Dividends, Arrearages and Delinquencies

   144

Item 14.

  

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

   144

Item 15.

  

Controls and Procedures

   144

Item 16.

  

Reserved

   144
     PART III     

Item 17.

  

Financial Statements

   144

Item 18.

  

Financial Statements

   145

Item 19.

  

Exhibits

   145

Index to Financial Statements

   F-1

 

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THE MERGER

 

On January 1, 2002, Banco de Chile merged with Banco de A. Edwards in a transaction in which Banco de Chile was the surviving corporate entity. As used in this annual report, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “Banco de Chile” relating to any date or period prior to January 1, 2002 (the effective date of the merger) are to Banco de Chile as it existed prior to the consummation of the merger, and such references relating to any date or period after January 1, 2002 are to Banco de Chile after the consummation of the merger.

 

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

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

 

Pursuant to Chilean GAAP, unless otherwise indicated, financial data for all full-year periods through December 31, 2002 included in our audited consolidated financial statements and in the other financial information contained elsewhere in this annual report have been restated in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2002.

 

In this annual report, references to “$,” “U.S.$,” “U.S. dollars” and “dollars” are to United States dollars, references to “pesos” or “Ch$” are to Chilean pesos, and references to “UF” are to “Unidades de Fomento.” The Unidad de Fomento, or UF, is a unit of account which is linked to, and which is adjusted daily to reflect changes in, the Consumer Price Index. As of December 31, 2002, one UF equaled U.S.$23.50 and Ch$16,744.12. See note 1(c) to our audited consolidated financial statements. Percentages and certain dollar and peso amounts contained in this annual report have been rounded for ease of presentation.

 

This annual report contains translations of certain Chilean peso amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for your convenience. These translations should not be construed as representations that the Chilean peso amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts, were converted from U.S. dollars at the rate indicated in preparing our audited consolidated financial statements or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, such U.S. dollar amounts have been translated from Chilean pesos based on the Observed Exchange Rate, as described in “Item 3. Key Information—Exchange Rates,” reported by the Banco Central de Chile, or the Central Bank, for December 30, 2002 (the latest practicable date, as December 31, 2002 was a banking holiday in Chile). The rate reported by the Central Bank is based on the rate for the prior business day in Chile and is the exchange rate specified by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks for use by Chilean banks in the preparation of their financial statements. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Chilean pesos.

 

Unless otherwise specified, all references in this annual report to loans are to loans and financial leases before deduction of allowances for loan losses, and all market share data presented in this annual report are based on information published periodically by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Non-performing loans include loans as to which either principal or interest is overdue and loans that do not accrue interest. Restructured loans as to which no payments are overdue are not ordinarily classified as non-performing loans. Past due loans include, with respect to any loan, the portion of principal or interest that is 90 or more days overdue; the entire outstanding balance of any loan is included in past due loans only after legal collection proceedings have been commenced. This practice differs from that normally followed in the United States,


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where the amount classified as past due would include the total principal and interest on all loans which have any portion overdue. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Classification of Loan Portfolio Based on Borrower’s Payment Performance.”

 

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

 

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

 

MACRO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET DATA

 

In this annual report, all macro-economic data relating to the Chilean economy is based on information published by the Central Bank. All market share and other data relating to the Chilean financial system as well as data on average return on shareholders’ equity are based on information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Information regarding the consolidated risk index of the Chilean financial system as a whole is not available. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks publishes the unconsolidated risk index for the financial system three times yearly in February, June and October.

 

PART I

 

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

 

Not Applicable.

 

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Item 3. Key Information

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table presents historical financial information about us as of the dates and for each of the periods indicated. The following table should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this annual report. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP and the rules of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which together differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements provides a description of the material differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2001 and 2002.

 

Under Chilean GAAP, the merger between Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards is accounted for as a “pooling of interest” on a prospective basis. As such, the historical financial statements for periods prior to the merger are not restated under Chilean GAAP. Under U.S. GAAP, the merger between the two banks, which have been under the common control of Quiñenco S.A., since March 27, 2001, is accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of interests under U.S. GAAP. As a consequence of the merger, we are required to restate our previously issued U.S. GAAP historical financial information to retroactively present the financial results for the merged bank as if Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards had been combined throughout the periods during which common control existed. Under U.S. GAAP, the reported financial information for periods presented prior to March 27, 2001 reflects book values of Banco de A. Edwards, which had been under Quiñenco’s control since September 2, 1999. See note 28(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

     At or for the year ended December 31,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

    2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except share data)     (in thousands
of U.S.$)
 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA

                                                

Chilean GAAP:

                                                

Interest revenue

   Ch$ 625,323     Ch$ 522,664     Ch$ 583,855     Ch$ 531,020     Ch$ 689,713     U.S.$ 968,181  

Interest expense

     (415,243 )     (314,806 )     (365,980 )     (309,716 )     (322,117 )     (452,170 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


                                                  

Net interest revenue

     210,080       207,858       217,875       221,304       367,596       516,011  

Allowances for loan losses

     (38,444 )     (52,521 )     (40,668 )     (47,264 )     (100,644 )     (141,279 )

Total fees and income from services, net

     37,860       40,871       46,537       52,367       86,686       121,685  

Total other operating income, net

     1,264       18,264       11,827       6,577       (30,025 )     (42,148 )

Total other income and expenses, net

     14,337       5,041       10,712       11,772       (5,296 )     (7,434 )

Total operating expenses

     (140,848 )     (140,468 )     (147,953 )     (150,615 )     (257,239 )     (361,098 )

Loss from price-level restatement

     (9,159 )     (5,755 )     (9,705 )     (5,950 )     (9,596 )     (13,470 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


                                                  

Income before income taxes

     75,090       73,290       88,625       88,191       51,482       72,267  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Income taxes

     (2,949 )     (2,029 )     (1,591 )     1,386       1,153       1,619  
    


 


 


 


 


 


                                                  

Net income

     72,141       71,261       87,034       89,577       52,635       73,886  
                                                  

Earnings per share(1)

     1.61       1.59       1.94       1.99       0.77       —    

Dividends per share(2)

     1.85       1.20       2.00       1.93       2.00          

Number of shares (in millions)

     44,932.70       44,932.70       44,932.70       44,932.70       68,079.78       —    

U.S. GAAP(3):

                                                

Interest revenue

     344,518       283,100       321,688       721,871       731,054       1,026,213  

Interest expense

     (244,473 )     (174,064 )     (208,472 )     (410,653 )     (343,056 )     (481,563 )

Net interest revenue

     100,045       109,036       113,216       311,218       387,998       544,650  

Allowance for loan losses

     (28,294 )     (67,502 )     (36,096 )     (53,361 )     (106,591 )     (149,627 )

Net income

     23,821       (8,144 )     (94 )     49,764       16,954       23,799  

Earnings per share(1)

     1.03       (0.35 )     (0.00 )     0.86       0.25       0.35  

Weighted average number of total shares(4)

     23,147       23,147       23,147       57,587       68,080       —    

 

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     At or for the year ended December 31,

     1998

   1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except share data)    (in thousands
of U.S.$)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

                                         

Chilean GAAP:

                                         

Cash and due from banks

     454,200      445,387      510,534      543,788      676,423      949,526

Financial investments

     1,079,933      1,170,094      1,427,792      1,699,206      1,598,900      2,244,447

Loans, net of allowances

     3,681,730      3,631,384      3,849,049      3,838,242      5,945,519      8,345,994

Other assets

     168,784      193,347      191,571      188,841      375,189      526,669
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total assets

     5,384,647      5,440,212      5,978,946      6,270,077      8,596,031      12,066,636
    

  

  

  

  

  

Deposits

     2,845,940      3,099,594      3,637,533      3,802,832      5,138,266      7,212,816

Other interest bearing liabilities

     1,769,974      1,571,502      1,546,629      1,642,029      2,284,328      3,206,613

Other liabilities

     388,643      361,776      388,620      414,999      555,207      779,370
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total liabilities

     5,004,557      5,032,872      5,572,782      5,859,860      7,977,801      11,198,799

Shareholders’ equity

   Ch$ 380,090    Ch$ 407,340    Ch$ 406,164    Ch$ 410,217    Ch$ 618,230    U.S.$ 867,837

U.S. GAAP(3):

                                         

Financial investments

     111,558      256,400      218,236      1,674,736      1,434,119      2,013,138

Loans, net

     2,027,810      2,015,199      2,203,114      5,714,430      5,610,661      7,875,939

Total assets

     2,517,329      2,575,281      2,885,397      8,908,034      8,599,894      12,072,060

Total liabilities

     2,346,413      2,338,164      2,473,920      7,742,392      7,319,934      10,275,322

Total shareholders’ equity

     170,916      237,117      411,477      1,165,642      1,279,960      1,796,737

 

     At or for the year ended December 31,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

 

CONSOLIDATED RATIOS

                              

Chilean GAAP:

                              

Profitability and Performance

                              

Net interest margin(5)

   4.23 %   4.15 %   4.27 %   3.82 %   4.47 %

Return on average total assets(6)

   1.15     1.16     1.57     1.43     0.53  

Return on average shareholders’ equity(7)

   16.60     19.49     23.68     23.91     8.85  

Capital

                              

Average shareholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets

   6.90     5.93     6.62     5.99     6.58  

Bank regulatory capital as a percentage of minimum regulatory capital

   235.47     235.44     203.86     197.67     218.35  

Ratio of liabilities to regulatory capital(8)

   16.25     14.98     17.46     18.28     14.11  

Credit Quality

                              

Category B-, C and D loans as a percentage of total loans

   3.65     5.74     5.75     6.28     6.69  

Past due loans as a percentage of total loans

   0.79     1.11     1.36     1.23     2.35  

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans category B-, C and D loans

   69.13     52.27     52.52     54.58     52.42  

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of past due loans

   317.43     270.08     222.46     278.61     149.03  

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

   2.52     3.00     3.02     3.43     3.51  

Past due amounts as a percentage of shareholders’ equity

   9.74     12.38     16.89     15.26     23.44  

Consolidated risk index

   1.58     2.03     2.01     2.42     3.00  

Operating Ratios

                              

Operating expenses/operating revenue

   56.52     52.61     53.56     53.74     60.63  

Operating expenses/average total assets

   2.24     2.28     2.67     2.41     2.85  

U.S. GAAP:

                              

Profitability and Performance

                              

Net interest margin(9)

   4.44     4.69     4.52     3.67     3.90  

Return on average total assets(10)

   0.94 %   (0.31 )%   0.00 %   0.53 %   0.19 %

 

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(1)   Earnings per share data are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average of shares outstanding during the year. Please see footnote (4) to this table for an explanation of the weighted average calculation.
(2)   Dividends per share data are calculated by dividing the amount of the dividend paid by the weighted average of shares outstanding during the year. Please see footnote (4) to this table for an explanation of the weighted average calculation.
(3)   All U.S. GAAP numbers use Article 9 presentation. All U.S. GAAP figures have been calculated taking into account the U.S. GAAP adjustments set forth in note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.
(4)   Common shares outstanding are presented giving effect to the weighted average number of shares of the merged bank outstanding during the year. The aggregate number is calculated based on an exchange ratio of 3.135826 shares of Banco de Chile for each outstanding share of Banco de A. Edwards. Banco de A. Edwards had 7,381.41 million shares outstanding immediately prior to the merger. For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, the weighted average number of shares represents Banco de A. Edwards outstanding shares presented in terms of Banco de Chile shares using the exchange ratio discussed above. For the year ended December 31, 2001, Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards shares have been combined as of March 27, 2001.
(5)   Net interest revenue divided by average interest earning assets.
(6)   Net income (loss) divided by average total assets.
(7)   Net income (loss) divided by average shareholders’ equity.
(8)   Total liabilities divided by bank regulatory capital.
(9)   Net interest revenue under U.S. GAAP divided by average interest earning assets.
(10)   Net income under U.S. GAAP divided by average total assets.

 

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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. Under the Central Bank Act the Central Bank determines which purchases and sales of foreign currencies must be carried out in the Formal Exchange Market. The Formal Exchange Market is comprised of the banks and other entities authorized to purchase and sell foreign currencies by the Central Bank. The conversion from pesos to U.S. dollars of all payments and distributions with respect to the ADSs must be carried out at the spot market rate in the Formal Exchange Market.

 

For purposes of the operation of the Formal Exchange Market, the Central Bank sets a monthly reference exchange rate, or dolar acuerdo, taking internal and external inflation into account. The reference exchange rate is adjusted daily to reflect variations in parities between the peso and each of the U.S. dollar, the Euro and the Japanese yen. The daily Observed Exchange Rate for a given date is the average exchange rate of the transactions conducted in the Formal Exchange Market on the immediately preceding banking day, as certified by the Central Bank.

 

Prior to September 1999, authorized transactions by banks were generally transacted within a certain band above or below the reference exchange rate. In order to maintain the average exchange rate within such limits, the Central Bank would intervene by selling and buying foreign currencies on the Formal Exchange Market.

 

On September 2, 1999, the Central Bank resolved to eliminate the exchange rate band as an instrument of exchange rate policy, introducing more flexibility to the exchange market. For this measure, the monetary authority considered the international financial scenario, the domestic inflation rate, the level of the external accounts, and the market development of hedge exchange financial instruments. At the same time, the Central Bank announced that an intervention in the exchange market would take place only in special and qualified cases.

 

Purchases and sales of foreign currencies that may be effected outside the Formal Exchange Market can be 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, such as certain foreign exchange houses and travel agencies. There are no limits on the extent to which the rate of exchange in the Informal Exchange Market can fluctuate above or below the Observed Exchange Rate. On December 30, 2002 (the latest practicable date, as December 31, 2002 was a banking holiday in Chile), the average exchange rate in the Informal Exchange Market was Ch$720.25 per U.S.$1.00, or 1.10% higher than the published Observed Exchange Rate of Ch$712.38 per U.S. $1.00.

 

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The following table sets forth the annual low, high, average and period-end Observed Exchange Rate for U.S. dollars for each year beginning in 1998, as reported by the Central Bank:

 

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

Year


   Low(2)

   High(2)

   Average(3)

   Period End

1998

   Ch$ 439.18    Ch$ 475.41    Ch$ 460.29    Ch$ 473.77

1999

     468.69      550.93      508.78      527.70

2000

     501.04      580.37      539.49      572.68

2001

     557.13      716.62      634.94      656.20

2002

     641.75      756.56      688.94      712.38

December

     692.94      712.38      701.95      712.38

2003

                           

January

     709.22      738.89      722.48      734.34

February

     733.10      755.26      745.21      753.54

March

     725.79      758.21      743.28      727.36

April

     705.32      731.56      718.25      705.32

May

     694.22      713.73      703.58      710.12

June(4)

     703.12      717.40      710.56      703.12

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)   Period from June 1, 2003 through June 25, 2003.

 

The Observed Exchange Rate on June 25, 2003 was Ch$703.12 = U.S.$1.00. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Chilean pesos.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

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

 

We are subject to market risks that are presented both in this subsection and in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”

 

Risks Relating to our Operations and the Banking Industry

 

The growth of our loan portfolio may expose us to increased loan losses, and its rate of growth may decrease in the future.

 

From December 31, 1997 to December 31, 2002, our aggregate loan portfolio, net of interbank loans (on an unconsolidated basis) grew by 124.3% in nominal terms and 88.8% in real terms to Ch$5,834,244 million. During the same period, our consumer loan portfolio grew by 133.2% in nominal terms and 96.3% in real terms to Ch$412,757 million, each in accordance with the loan classification system of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. On a combined basis (combining Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards), from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 2002, the aggregate loan portfolio of both banks, net of interbank loans (on an unconsolidated basis) grew by 38.1% in nominal terms and 16.2% in real terms to Ch$5,834,244 million. During the same period, on a combined basis, the consumer loan portfolio of both banks grew by 39.5% in nominal terms and 17.4% in real terms to Ch$412,757 million, each calculated in accordance with the loan classification system of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. (Because the method of aggregation of loans used by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks for its public information differs in minor respects from that used by us for internal accounting purposes, the foregoing figures may differ from the figures included in our audited consolidated financial statements.) Further expansion of our loan portfolio (particularly in the lower-middle to middle income consumer and small- and medium-sized corporate business areas) can be expected to expose us to a higher level of loan losses and require us to establish higher levels of allowances for loan losses.

 

Our loan portfolio may not continue to grow at the same or similar rates in the future. Due to the adverse economic conditions in Chile in recent years, loan demand has not been as strong as it was in the mid 1990s. The average rate of growth of loans outstanding has, however, remained significant in the last five years. According to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 2002, the aggregate amount of loans outstanding in the Chilean banking system (on an unconsolidated basis) grew by 44.6% in nominal terms and 21.7% in real terms to Ch$31,267,343 million. A decline in the rate of growth of the Chilean economy could adversely affect the rate of growth of our loan portfolio and our risk index and, accordingly, increase our required allowances for loan losses. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information.”

 

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

 

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

 

Pursuant to the Ley General de Bancos, or the General Banking Law, all Chilean banks may engage in additional businesses depending on the risk of the activity and the strength of the bank. The General Banking

 

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Law also applies to the Chilean banking system a modified version of the capital adequacy guidelines issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Regulation and Supervisory Practices, or Basel Committee, and limits the discretion of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to deny new banking licenses. There can be no assurance that regulators will not in the future impose more restrictive limitations on the activities of banks, including us, than those that are currently in effect. Any such change could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

We experienced a negative cash flow from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to operate in the future.

 

During 2000 and 2001, we experienced a negative cash flow from our operations. During those years, we invested a large amount of cash in government securities in order to meet our technical reserve requirements as a result of higher current account levels, resulting in negative operating cash flow. From time to time, we may need to invest large amounts of cash in order to meet regulatory requirements. Given current low interest rates, our customers tend to maintain deposits in checking accounts, which are included in the technical reserve requirement, which may also result in a need to invest more cash in highly liquid products such as government securities. Either or both of these needs may affect our cash flow from operations. There can be no assurance that we will not experience a negative cash flow from operating activities in the future.

 

Increased competition and industry consolidation may adversely affect our operations.

 

The Chilean market for financial services is highly competitive. We compete with other Chilean private sector domestic and foreign banks, with Banco del Estado de Chile, a public sector bank, and with large department stores that make consumer loans to a large portion of the Chilean population. In 2002, two new private sector banks affiliated with Chile’s largest department stores initiated their operations, mainly as consumer and medium-sized corporate niche banks. The lower-middle to middle income portions of the Chilean population and the small- and medium-sized companies have become the target markets of several banks, and competition with respect to these customers is likely to increase. As a result, net interest margins in these subsegments are likely to decline. Although we believe that demand for financial products and services from lower-middle to middle income individuals and from small- and medium-sized companies will continue to grow during the remainder of the decade, there can be no assurance that net interest margins will be maintained at their current levels.

 

We also face competition from non-bank and non-finance competitors with respect to some of our credit products, such as credit cards and consumer loans. Non-bank competition from large department stores has become increasingly significant in the consumer lending sector. In addition, we face competition from competitors such as leasing, factoring and automobile finance companies, with respect to credit products, and mutual funds, pension funds and insurance companies, with respect to savings products and mortgage loans. Currently, banks continue to be the main suppliers of leasing, factoring and mutual funds, and the insurance sales business has experienced rapid growth. Nevertheless, non-banking competitors, especially department stores, may be able to engage in some types of advertising and promotion in which, by virtue of Chilean banking rules and regulations, we are prohibited from engaging. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank—Competition.”

 

The increase in competition within the Chilean banking industry in recent years had led to, among other things, consolidation in the industry. For example, on August 1, 2002, Banco Santiago and Banco Santander-Chile, the then-second and third largest banks in Chile, respectively, merged creating Chile’s largest bank. We expect the trends of increased competition and consolidation to continue and result in the formation of new large financial groups. Consolidation, which can result in the creation of larger and stronger banks, may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations by affecting the net interest margins we are able to generate and by increasing our costs of operations.

 

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Our exposure to small businesses could lead to higher levels of past due loans and subsequent charge-offs.

 

Although we historically emphasized banking for large and medium-sized businesses, an increasing number of our corporate customers (approximately 9.2% of the value of the total loan portfolio) currently consist of small companies (those with annual sales of less than U.S.$420,000) and, to a lesser extent, individual customers (approximately 2.6% of the value of the total loan portfolio) in the lower income individuals subsegment (annual income between U.S.$2,000 and U.S.$8,000). Our strategy includes increasing lending and providing other services to attract additional small companies as customers. Small companies and lower-middle to middle income individuals are likely to be more severely affected by adverse developments in the Chilean economy than large corporations and high income individuals. Consequently, in the future we may experience higher levels of past due loans, which could result in higher provisions for loan losses. There can be no assurance that the levels of past due loans and subsequent charge-offs will not be materially higher in the future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank—Principal Business Activities.”

 

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

 

Sociedad Administradora de la Obligacion Subordinada SAOS S.A., or SAOS, an affiliate of ours, holds 42.0% of our shares as a consequence of a 1996 reorganization of our company. The reorganization was partially due to our 1989 repurchase from the Central Bank of certain non-performing loans that we had previously sold to the Central Bank and later exchanged for a subordinated obligation without a fixed term, known as “deuda subordinada,” or subordinated debt. Under the terms of a repayment obligation in favor of the Central Bank that SAOS assumed to replace the Central Bank subordinated debt, SAOS may be required to sell some of our shares to the public. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank—History—The 1982-1983 Economic Crisis and the Central Bank Subordinated Debt.”

 

In exchange for assuming the Central Bank indebtedness, SAOS received from SM-Chile S.A., a holding company that controls us and SAOS, 63.6% of our shares as collateral for this indebtedness. As a result of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards, the percentage of our shares held by SAOS decreased to 42.0%. Dividends received from us are the sole source of SAOS’s revenue, which it must apply to repay this indebtedness. However, under SAOS’s agreement with the Central Bank, we have no obligation to distribute dividends to our shareholders. To the extent distributed dividends are not sufficient to pay the amount due on this indebtedness, SAOS is permitted to maintain a cumulative deficit balance with the Central Bank that SAOS commits to pay with future dividends. If the cumulative deficit balance exceeds an amount equal to 20% of our capital and reserves, the Central Bank may require SAOS to sell a sufficient number of shares of our stock owned by SAOS to pay the entire accumulated deficit amount. As of April 30, 2003, SAOS maintained a deficit balance with the Central Bank of Ch$37,550 million, equivalent to 6.6% of our capital and reserves. As of the same date, Ch$114,331 million would have represented 20% of our capital and reserves. If from time to time in the future our shareholders decide to retain and capitalize all or part of our annual net income in order to finance our future growth, and to distribute stock dividends among our shareholders, the Central Bank may require us to pay the portion of the net income corresponding to shares owned by SAOS in cash to SAOS. If we distribute stock dividends and the Central Bank does not require us to pay that portion in cash, the shares received by SAOS must be sold by SAOS within the following 12 months. The shareholders of SM-Chile will have a right of first refusal with respect to that sale.

 

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

 

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Our results of operations are affected by interest rate volatility.

 

Our results of operations depend to a great extent on our net interest revenue. In 2002, net interest revenue represented 86.6% of our operating revenue. Changes in market interest rates could affect the interest rates earned on our interest-earning assets differently from the interest rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, leading to a reduction in our net interest revenue. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including the reserve policies of the Central Bank, deregulation of the financial sector in Chile, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors. Any volatility in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. The average annual short-term interest rate (based on the rate paid by Chilean financial institutions) for 90 to 360 day deposits was 5.17% in 2000, 3.74% in 2001 and 1.94% in 2002. The average long-term interest rate based on the Central Bank’s eight-year bonds was 6.37% in 2000, 5.09% in 2001 and 4.08% in 2002.

 

Risks Relating to our ADSs

 

The significant share ownership of our principal shareholders may have an adverse effect on the future market price of our ADSs and shares.

 

L.Q. Inversiones Financieras S.A., a holding company beneficially owned by Quiñenco, beneficially owns approximately 52.16% of our outstanding voting rights. Actions by our principal shareholders with respect to the disposition of the shares or ADSs they beneficially own, or the perception that such actions may occur, may adversely affect the trading price of our shares on the various stock exchanges on which they are listed and, consequently, the market price of the ADSs.

 

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

 

We merged with Banco de A. Edwards, a Chilean Bank, effective as of January 1, 2002. Prior to the merger, there was no public market for our shares outside Chile or for our ADSs. While our ADSs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, since the first quarter of 2002, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our ADSs will develop or be sustained. During 2002, a daily average of 7,029 ADRs were traded on the NYSE. Although our shares are traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange, the Valparaiso Stock Exchange and the Chilean Electronic Stock Exchange following the merger, the market for our shares in Chile is small and illiquid. Only approximately 12.61% of our outstanding shares are held by shareholders other than our principal shareholders, including SM-Chile and SAOS. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank—History.”

 

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

 

On March 20, 2003, an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting approved the establishment of a share repurchase program. Any repurchase made under the share repurchase program will decrease the liquidity of the market for our shares. Under the program, shares may be purchased in Chilean stock exchanges and/or through a tender offer (Oferta Publica de Adquisicion de Acciones) according to the Ley Sobre Sociedades Anonimas No. 18,046 and the Reglamento de Sociedades Anonimas, which we refer to collectively as the Chilean Corporations Law. The maximum percentage of shares that may be purchased will be equivalent to 3% of the shares issued and paid in, and up to retained net income from prior years. The share repurchase program will last for two years from the date of its authorization by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which was granted on June 5, 2003. For more information on the share repurchase program, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—The Share Repurchase Program.”

 

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You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights.

 

The Chilean Corporations Law and its regulations require that whenever we issue new common stock for cash, we grant preemptive rights to all of our shareholders (including holders of ADSs) to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentage. Such an offering would not be possible unless a registration statement under the Securities Act were effective with respect to such rights and common stock or an exemption from the registration requirements thereunder were available.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Owners of ADSs are entitled to receive dividends on the underlying shares to the same extent as the holders of shares. Dividends received by holders of ADSs will be paid net of foreign currency exchange fees and expenses of the depositary and will be subject to Chilean withholding tax of up to 35% of the dividend, which we will withhold and pay to the Chilean tax authorities. Any dividend distributions made in property (other than common stock) will be subject to the same Chilean tax rules as cash dividends. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—Chilean Tax Considerations.”

 

Risks Relating to Chile

 

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

 

The Chilean government’s economic policies and any future changes in the value of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar could affect the dollar value of our common stock and our ADSs. The peso has been subject to large devaluations in the past and could be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. In the period from December 31, 1998 to December 31, 2002, the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Chilean peso increased approximately 32.0%, as compared to an 8.2% decrease in value in the period from December 31, 1994 to December 31, 1998. The Observed Exchange Rate on June 25, 2003 was Ch$703.12=U.S.$1.00.

 

Chilean trading in the shares underlying our ADSs is conducted in pesos. Cash distributions with respect to our shares of common stock are received in Chilean pesos by the depositary, which then converts such amounts to U.S. dollars at the then-prevailing exchange rate for the purpose of making payments in respect of our ADSs. If the value of the Chilean peso falls relative to the U.S. dollar, the dollar value of our ADSs and any distributions to be received from the depositary will be reduced. In addition, the depositary will

 

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incur customary currency conversion costs (to be borne by the holders of our ADSs) in connection with the conversion and subsequent distribution of dividends or other payments. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Exchange Controls.”

 

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

 

Although Chilean inflation has moderated in recent years, Chile has experienced high levels of inflation in the past. High levels of inflation in Chile could adversely affect the Chilean economy and, indirectly, the value of our ADSs. The annual rate of inflation (as measured by changes in the Consumer Price Index and as reported by the Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas, or the Chilean National Institute of Statistics) during the last five years ended December 31, 2002 and the first five months of 2003 was:

 

Year


   Inflation
(Consumer Price
Index)


1998

      4.7%

1999

   2.3

2000

   4.5

2001

   2.6

2002

   2.8

2003 (through May 31)

       1.6%

Source:   Chilean National Institute of Statistics

 

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

 

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

 

A substantial amount of our loans are to borrowers doing business in Chile. Accordingly, the recoverability of these loans in particular, and our results of operations and financial condition in general, are dependent to a significant extent on the level of economic activity in Chile. The Chilean economy has been influenced, to varying degrees, by economic conditions in other emerging market countries. There can be no assurance that the Chilean economy will continue to grow in the future or that future developments in or affecting the Chilean economy, including further consequences of continuing economic difficulties in Argentina, Brazil and other emerging markets, will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Furthermore, although our operations (with the exception of our branch in New York, our agency in Miami and our three representative offices located in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Mexico City) are currently limited to Chile, we may in the future pursue a strategy of expansion into other Latin American countries. The potential success of such strategy will depend in part on political, social and economic developments in such countries.

 

According to data published by the Central Bank, the Chilean economy grew at a rate of 4.2% in 2000, 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1% in 2002. The reduction in growth prevailing in recent years has adversely affected the overall asset quality of the Chilean banking system. According to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the unconsolidated risk index of the Chilean financial system as a whole increased from 1.50% in October 1998 to 2.00% in February 2003 (the latest figures available for the financial system). Our results of operations and financial condition could also be affected by changes in economic or other policies of the Chilean government, which has exercised and continues to exercise a substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector, or other political or economic developments in Chile.

 

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Although economic conditions are different in each country, investors’ reactions to developments in one country may affect the securities of issuers in other countries, including Chile. For instance, the devaluation of the Mexican peso in December 1994 set off an economic crisis in Mexico that negatively affected the market value of securities in many countries throughout Latin America. The crisis in the Asian markets, beginning in July 1997 with the devaluation of the baht by the government of Thailand, resulted in sharp devaluations of other Asian currencies and negatively affected markets throughout Asia, as well as in many markets in Latin America, including Chile. Similar adverse consequences resulted from the crisis in Russia, which received a rescue package from the International Monetary Fund and sought to reschedule its foreign debt. In part due to the Asian and Russian crises, the Chilean stock market declined over 30% in 1998 to levels equivalent to 1994.

 

The economic problems being encountered by Argentina may have an adverse effect on the Chilean economy and on our results of operations and the price of our shares.

 

We are directly exposed to risks related to the weakness in the Argentine economy. As of December 31, 2002 approximately 0.5% of our loan portfolio is comprised of loans to Argentine companies. While these loans are largely to Argentine subsidiaries of Chilean parent companies, the risk of which is mitigated in part by our policy generally requiring guarantees from the Chilean parent, if the Argentine economic crisis continues, including devaluation of the Argentine peso, it may result in higher allowances for loan losses. In 2002, our New York branch recognized a charge to net income of U.S.$19 million, or approximately Ch$13,600 million, as a result of a permanent impairment in connection with Argentine corporate bonds due to the recognition of mark to market losses on securities accounted for as available for sale. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank—Principal Business Activities—International Banking—New York Branch.”

 

If Argentina’s economic situation does not improve, the economy in Chile, as both a neighboring country and a trading partner, could also be affected and could experience slower growth than in recent years. There can be no assurance that economic growth will continue in the future at similar rates as in the past or at all.

 

Prices of securities of Chilean companies including banks are, to varying degrees, influenced by economic and market considerations in other countries, including Argentina. There can be no assurance that Argentine economic crisis will not have an adverse effect on the price of our shares.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

As a regulated financial institution, we are required to submit to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks unaudited unconsolidated balance sheets and income statements, excluding any note disclosure, prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP on a monthly basis. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks makes this information public within approximately three months of receipt. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks also makes summary financial information available within three weeks of receipt. Such disclosure differs in a number of significant respects from information generally available in the United States with respect to U.S. financial institutions.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

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

 

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

 

    statements of our plans, objectives or goals;

 

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

 

    statements of assumptions underlying such statements.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    increased costs;

 

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

 

    the factors discussed under “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors.”

 

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

 

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Item 4. Information on the Company

 

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BANK

 

Overview

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    large corporations;

 

    middle market companies;

 

    international banking;

 

    retail banking;

 

    treasury and money market operations; and

 

    operations through subsidiaries.

 

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

 

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

 

As of December 31, 2002, we had:

 

    total assets of Ch$8,596,031 million (U.S.$12,067 million);

 

    loans outstanding of Ch$6,161,513 million (U.S.$8,649 million);

 

    deposits of Ch$5,138,266 million (U.S.$7,213 million); and

 

    shareholders’ equity including net income of Ch$618,230 million (U.S.$868 million).

 

According to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, as of December 31, 2002, we were the second largest private bank in Chile in terms of total loans (excluding interbank loans) with a market share of 18.7%.

 

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We are headquartered in Santiago, Chile and, as of December 31, 2002, had 8,655 employees and delivered financial products and services through a nationwide network of 219 branches, 2,782 automated teller machines, or ATMs, (799 of which are owned by us) located throughout Chile, and other electronic distribution channels.

 

Business Strategy

 

Our long-term strategy is to maintain our position as a leading bank in Chile, providing a broad range of financial products and services to large corporations, small and mid-sized companies and individuals nationwide. As part of this strategy, we operate under a multi-brand approach in order to target the different market segments, taking advantage of our well positioned brand names: “Banco de Chile,” “Banco de A. Edwards,” “Banchile,” “Credichile” and “Leasing Andino.” Our strategy is focused on:

 

    delivering superior customer service that responds to the specific needs of our customers in each market segment;

 

    enhancing profitability by increasing revenues from fee-based services through the development of new services and active cross-selling of such services to our customers;

 

    continuing to focus on measures that control costs and otherwise enhance productivity to improve our existing efficiency standards; and

 

    further developing the international products and services that we offer to our customers.

 

The key components of our strategy are described below.

 

Deliver Superior Customer Service

 

Our banking strategy is focused on developing long-term relationships with our customers by emphasizing customer service and providing a broad range of financial products and services. As the Chilean economy recovers, we expect that our corporate and individual customers will continue to require more comprehensive credit and non-credit financial services than in the past. In the large corporations business area, we are focused on increasing offerings of specialized lending products, treasury and cash management services. In the middle market companies business area, we intend to increase our lending activities and offerings of fee-based services such as electronic banking, import-export financial services, financial advisory services and cash management services. To expand our high- and middle-income individual customer base, we intend to market actively our broad range of products and services to this business area, to cross-sell products and services such as mutual funds, lease financing, factoring, insurance and securities brokerage services, and to develop new services targeted to the specific needs of these customers.

 

Expand Fee-Based Services

 

In recent years, our margins from traditional lending activities have declined significantly and, as a result, we have increasingly shifted our focus to developing other sources of revenue such as fee-based products and services. Our consolidated income from fees and other services has continued to grow over the last three years and was Ch$86,686 million in 2002, an increase of 65.5% from Ch$52,367 million in 2001. We seek to continue to grow fee revenue by developing new services and by cross-selling these services to our base of existing customers. In our corporate business, we intend to market actively fee-based services such as electronic banking, receivables collection, payroll services, supplier payments, investment advisory services and cash management. In our retail banking business area, we seek to increase revenues from fee-based services such as telephone and electronic banking, ATMs, general checking services, credit cards, mutual funds, securities brokerage and insurance brokerage.

 

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Maintain Focus on Operating Efficiencies

 

In 2002, our consolidated operating expenses represented approximately 60.63% of our operating revenue, mainly as a result of non-recurring expenses related to the merger. As the Chilean banking sector continues to grow, we believe that a low-cost structure will become increasingly important to compete profitably.

 

We have invested heavily in technology during recent years (approximately Ch$7,577 million during 2002) and plan to continue to focus on technology in the future to achieve further improvements in customer service and operating efficiency.

 

Provide Competitive International Products and Services

 

We intend to provide to our primarily Chilean customer base a complete array of international products at competitive prices. Our primary focus in this respect will be on trade financing of customer related operations, one of our traditional areas of international activity. To implement this strategy, we intend to take advantage of our New York branch and Miami agency to strengthen our relationships with Chilean businesses engaged in international trade.

 

There can be no assurance that we will be able to realize our strategic objectives. For a discussion of certain risks applicable to our operations and to Chile that may affect our ability to meet our objectives, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors.”

 

History

 

We were established in 1893 as a result of the merger of Banco Nacional de Chile, Banco Agricola and Banco de Valparaiso, which created the largest privately held bank in Chile. To the best of our knowledge, we retained this status until the mid-1990s and remained the largest private bank in Chile until mid-2002. Throughout the 20th century, we developed a well-recognized name in Chile and expanded our operations in foreign markets where we developed an extensive network of correspondent banks. In 1906, we established a representative office in London, which we maintained until 1985, when our foreign operations were centralized at the New York branch.

 

Beginning in the early 1970s, the Chilean government assumed control of a majority of Chilean banks then in operation and all but one of the foreign banks operating at the time closed their branches and offices in Chile. Throughout this era, we remained privately owned, with the Chilean government owning participating shares which it sold to private investors in 1975.

 

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

 

During the 1982-1983 economic crisis, the Chilean banking system experienced significant instability due to, among other things, a recession in most of the world’s major economies accompanied by high international interest rates, an overvalued peso, a lack of stringent banking regulation and ineffective credit policies at most Chilean financial institutions. The financial crisis required that the Central Bank and the Chilean government provide assistance to most Chilean private sector banks, including us.

 

During this period, we experienced significant financial difficulties, as a result of which the Chilean government assumed administrative control over us. In 1985 and 1986, we increased our capital and sold shares representing 88% of our capital to more than 30,000 new shareholders. As a result, no single shareholder held a controlling stake in our company. In 1987, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks returned to our shareholders the control and administration of our company.

 

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Subsequent to the 1982-1983 economic crisis, like most major Chilean banks, we sold certain of our non-performing loans to the Central Bank at face value on terms that included a repurchase obligation. The repurchase obligation was later exchanged for subordinated debt of each participating bank issued in favor of the Central Bank. In 1989, pursuant to Law No. 18,818, banks were permitted to repurchase the portfolio of non-performing loans previously sold to the Central Bank for a price equal to the economic value of such loans, provided that a bank assumed a subordinated obligation equal to the difference between the face value of its loans and their economic value. In November 1989 we repurchased our portfolio of non-performing loans from the Central Bank and assumed the Central Bank’s subordinated debt relating to our non-performing loans.

 

The original repayment terms of our Central Bank subordinated debt, which at December 31, 1989 equaled approximately Ch$1,039,634 million, or U.S.$1,459 million, required that a certain percentage of our income before provisions for the subordinated debt be applied to repay this obligation. The Central Bank subordinated debt did not have a fixed maturity, and payments were made only to the extent that we earned income before provisions for the subordinated debt. In 1993 we applied 72.9% of our income before provisions for the Central Bank subordinated debt to the repayment of this debt. In 1994 we applied 67.6% and in 1995 we applied 65.8% of our income before provisions for the Central Bank subordinated debt to the repayment of this debt.

 

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

 

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

 

In exchange for assuming the Central Bank indebtedness, SAOS received from SM-Chile, a holding company which beneficially owns us and SAOS, 63.6% of our shares as collateral for this indebtedness. As a result of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards, the percentage of our shares held by SAOS decreased to 42.0%. Dividends received from us are the sole source of SAOS’s revenue, which it must apply to repay this indebtedness. However, under SAOS’s agreement with the Central Bank, we have no obligation to distribute dividends to our shareholders. To the extent distributed dividends are not sufficient to pay the amount due on this indebtedness, SAOS is permitted to maintain a cumulative deficit balance with the Central Bank that SAOS commits to pay with future dividends. If the cumulative deficit balance exceeds an amount equal to 20% of our capital and reserves, the Central Bank may require SAOS to sell a sufficient number of shares of our stock owned by SAOS to pay the entire accumulated deficit amount. As of April 30, 2003, SAOS maintained a deficit balance with the Central Bank of Ch$37,550 million, equivalent to 6.6% of our capital and reserves. As of the same date, Ch$114,331 million would have represented 20% of our capital and reserves. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Operations and the Banking Industry—An affiliate of ours may be obligated to sell shares of our stock in the public market if we do not pay sufficient dividends.”

 

If from time to time in the future our shareholders decide to retain and capitalize all or part of our annual net income in order to finance our future growth, and to distribute stock dividends among our shareholders, the Central Bank may require us to pay the portion of the net income corresponding to shares

 

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owned by SAOS in cash to SAOS. If we distribute stock dividends and the Central Bank does not require us to pay that portion in cash, the shares received by SAOS must be sold by SAOS within the following 12 months. The shareholders of SM-Chile will have a right of first refusal with respect to that sale.

 

Merger with Banco de A. Edwards

 

Following discussions with Banco de A. Edwards initiated in mid-March of 2001, at a special board meeting held on August 7, 2001, our board of directors unanimously approved a preliminary merger agreement, resolved to seek the necessary regulatory approvals and resolved to summon a general extraordinary shareholders’ meeting to approve the merger once the regulatory approvals had been obtained. At an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on December 6, 2001, our shareholders approved the merger with Banco de A. Edwards, which became effective on January 1, 2002. During 2002, we focused our attention on our integration with Banco de A. Edwards in an effort to expand our customer base and improve our competitive position across a broad spectrum of market segments and products. At the end of 2002, we concluded the merger process with the consolidation of a new corporate structure and the integration of our technological platforms. During the process, we merged and integrated more than 50 branches, with successful results in terms of customer retention. We believe that operational and technological continuity was achieved, which helped assure our continued level of quality in customer service. In 2002, we incurred merger related costs of approximately Ch$45,473.2 million. No further costs related to the merger are expected in 2003. We believe that the merger will enable us to realize substantial cost savings on an ongoing basis, although there can be no assurance in this regard.

 

The following diagram shows our ownership structure after the merger:

 

LOGO

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

On March 20, 2003, our shareholders approved the establishment of a share repurchase program at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting. The repurchasing of shares will be conducted on the various Chilean stock exchanges on which our shares are tracked and/or through a tender offer conducted in accordance with the Chilean Corporations Law. Up to one percent of our issued shares may be bought directly in the Chilean

 

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stock exchanges in a twelve-month period, without requiring a tender offer. The program will last for two years from June 5, 2003.

 

The maximum percentage of shares to be bought under the shares repurchase program will be the equivalent to three percent of our shares issued and paid in and up to retained net income from prior years. The minimum price to be paid for the shares will be the weighed average of the closing prices of the shares as quoted by the Santiago Stock Exchange for the 45 business days preceding the purchase. The maximum price to be paid for the shares will be 15% in excess of that average. Our board of directors will set the purchase price of the shares within the limits specified above.

 

The Chilean Central Bank authorized the program on June 2, 2003, subject to the following conditions:

 

    we must request prior approval of the offering price from the Chilean Central Bank when we decide to sell any shares acquired under the program; and

 

    the shares may only be purchased through retained net income from prior years.

 

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks authorized the program on June 5, 2003 with the additional condition that the purchase price be submitted to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks for its approval before we make any purchase.

 

Any shares bought under the program must be sold within 24 months of their acquisition. Otherwise, paid-in capital must be reduced by the amount of the repurchased shares that were not so resold. Shareholders will have a preferential right to acquire the repurchased shares if we decide to sell them. However, our shareholders will not have the benefit of this preferential right if our board of directors approves the sale of up to one percent of our issued shares during a twelve-month period on any stock exchange inside or outside of Chile.

 

Principal Business Activities

 

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

 

LOGO

 

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The following table provides information on the composition of our loan portfolio and our consolidated net income before tax for the year ended December 31, 2002, allocated among our principal business areas:

 

     Loans

    Consolidated net
income
before tax(1)


 
    

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for

percentages)

 

Large corporations

   Ch$ 2,553,522    41.5 %   18,924  

Middle market companies

     1,542,089    25.0     38,785  

International banking

     351,485    5.7     (6,898 )

Retail banking

     1,633,726    26.5     46,340  

Treasury and money market operations

     18,795    0.3     23,054  

Operations through subsidiaries

     61,896    1.0     13,497  

Other (Adjustments and eliminations)

     —      —       (82,220 )
    

  

 

Total

   Ch$ 6,161,513    100.0 %   51,482  
    

  

 


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

 

Large Corporations

 

In general, our large corporations business area services domestic companies with annual sales in excess of Ch$12,000 million (approximately U.S.$17 million), multinational corporations, financial institutions, governmental entities and companies affiliated with Chile’s largest conglomerates (regardless of size). This business area offers these companies a broad range of products and services tailored to their specific needs. These services include deposit-taking and lending in both pesos and foreign currency, trade and project financing and various non-credit services, such as collection, supplier payments and payroll management. In addition, our large corporations business area offers a broad range of banking products and services including working capital financing, lines of credit, commercial loans, leasing, corporate financial services, foreign trade financing, letters of credit in domestic and foreign currencies, mortgage loans, payment and asset management services, checking accounts and time deposits, and, through our subsidiaries, brokerage, mutual funds and investment fund management services. All of our branches (except the Credichile branches) provide services to our large corporations business area customers directly and indirectly.

 

Our large corporate customers are engaged in a wide spectrum of industry sectors. As of December 31, 2002, this business area had primarily made loans to customers engaged in:

 

    financial services (approximately 28.8% of all loans made by this business area);

 

    manufacturing (approximately 13.5% of all loans made by this business area);

 

    construction (approximately 13.2% of loans made by this business area);

 

    trade (approximately 13.1% of all loans made by this business area); and

 

    agriculture (approximately 9.4% of all loans made by this business area).

 

See “—Selected Statistical Information.”

 

At December 31, 2002, we had approximately 2,184 large corporate debtors. Loans to large corporations totaled approximately Ch$2,553,522 million at December 31, 2002, representing 41.5% of our total loans at that date. Our large corporations business area accounted for Ch$18,924 million of our consolidated net income before tax for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

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The following table sets forth the composition of our portfolio of loans to large corporations as of December 31, 2002:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

 
    

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002,

except for percentages)

 

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 1,595,371    62.5 %

Foreign trade loans

     355,118    13.9  

Contingent loans

     241,808    9.5  

Leasing contracts

     137,075    5.4  

Mortgage loans

     92,770    3.6  

Consumer loans

     169    0.0  

Other loans

     131,211    5.1  
    

  

Total

   Ch$ 2,553,522    100.0 %
    

  

 

Our large corporations business area’s loan portfolio consists principally of unsecured loans with maturities between one and six months and of medium- and long-term loans to finance fixed assets, investment projects and infrastructure projects. In addition, our large corporations business area issues contingent credit obligations in the form of letters of credit, bank guarantees and similar obligations in support of the operations of our large corporate customers. See “—Selected Statistical Information.”

 

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

 

We are party to approximately 3,050 payment service contracts and approximately 765 collection service contracts with large corporate customers. Under these payment contracts, we provide large corporate customers with a system to manage their accounts and make payments to suppliers, pension funds and employees, thereby reducing administrative costs. We believe that cash management and payment service contracts provide a source of low-cost deposits and the opportunity to cross-market our products and fees to payees, many of whom maintain accounts with us. Under our collection contracts, we act as a collection agent for our large corporate customers, providing centralized collection services for their accounts receivables and other similar payments.

 

Middle Market Companies

 

We serve the financing needs of small and medium-size companies through our middle market companies business area. We generally define middle market companies as those with annual sales of between Ch$300 million (approximately U.S.$0.42 million) and Ch$12 billion (approximately U.S.$17 million) and small or emerging companies as those with annual sales of between Ch$45 million (approximately U.S.$63,200) and Ch$300 million (approximately U.S.$0.42). As of December 31, 2002, our middle market companies area had approximately 65,930 checking account holders, of which approximately 74% are small or emerging companies. In terms of loans amounts, however, approximately 63.1% of the middle market companies business area’s total loan portfolio represents loans to medium-size companies.

 

Our middle market companies business area offers its customers a broad range of financial products, including project financing, working capital financing, mortgage loans and debt rescheduling, as well as other alternatives such as leasing operations, factoring, mutual funds, insurance and securities brokerage services and collection services (through our Banchile subsidiaries). We also offer our clients full advisory services aimed at facilitating foreign trade, as well as comprehensive financing and service alternatives.

 

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We have developed a set of services designed to facilitate and optimize the operational and financial management of small and medium size companies. These services include payment services (such as employee compensation, taxes and employee benefits), payments to suppliers and automated bill payments. We provide most of these services through remote service channels, such as the internet and, as of December 31, 2002, delivered such services to approximately 18,000 customers. We also provide account receipts and instrument collection services through electronic means. All of these products and services are available through our nationwide branch network.

 

Through our subsidiaries, our middle market companies business area offers our customers a full range of financial advisory, stock brokerage, mutual fund management and general and life insurance brokerage services.

 

The following table sets forth the composition of our portfolio of loans to middle market companies as of December 31, 2002:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

 
    

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002,

except for percentages)

 

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 714,761    46.4 %

Mortgage loans

     356,192    23.1  

Foreign trade loans

     119,391    7.7  

Leasing contracts

     107,655    7.0  

Contingent loans

     82,426    5.3  

Consumer loans(1)

     13,602    0.9  

Other loans

     148,062    9.6  
    

  

Total

   Ch$ 1,542,089    100.0 %
    

  


(1)   Certain commercial loans to individuals are classified as consumer loans.

 

Our middle market companies business area’s loan portfolio consists primarily of short- and long-term commercial loans and mortgage loans. At December 31, 2002, this business area had primarily made loans to customers engaged in:

 

    trade (22.4% of loans made by this business area);

 

    financial services (16.9% of loans made by this business area);

 

    agriculture (15.8% of loans made by this business area);

 

    manufacturing (15.3% of loans made by this business area); and

 

    transport and storage (5.3% of loans made by this business area).

 

See “—Selected Statistical Information.”

 

At December 31, 2002, we had Ch$1,542,089 million of outstanding loans to small and medium-size companies, representing 25.0% of our total loan portfolio at that date. Small and medium-size banking clients accounted for approximately Ch$38,785 million of our consolidated net income before tax for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Commercial Loans. Our middle market companies business area’s commercial loans, which mainly consist of project financing and working capital loans, are denominated in pesos, UF or U.S. dollars. Commercial loans may have fixed or variable rates of interest and generally mature between one and three months from the date of the loan. At December 31, 2002, our middle market companies business area had outstanding commercial loans of Ch$714,761 million, representing 46.4% of the middle market companies business area’s total loans and 11.6% of our total loans at that date.

 

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Mortgage Loans. Our middle market companies business area’s commercial mortgage loans are denominated in UF and generally have maturities of between five and 30 years. At December 31, 2002, this business area had granted mortgage loans outstanding of approximately Ch$356,192 million, representing 23.1% of the middle market companies business area’s total loans and 5.8% of our total loans at such date.

 

International Banking

 

Through our international banking business area, we offer a range of international services, principally import and export financing, letters of credit, guarantees and other forms of credit support, as well as currency swaps, banking services and treasury services for our corporate clients in Chile and abroad.

 

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

 

Our international banking business area does not, however, have credit granting authority for these purposes. Instead, the area participates in a team effort with the account officers who establish credit limits, and our international banking trade specialists interact directly with our customers, ensuring that the price they pay for our services is adequate and that the quality of the services provided meets pre-established levels.

 

As of December 31, 2002, we had Ch$611,671 million in foreign trade loans, representing 9.9% of our total loans as of that date, and Ch$93,618 million in letters of credit and other contingent obligations related to foreign trade operations, representing 1.5% of our total loans as of that date.

 

Our international banking business area also manages our international network. This network is made up of a branch in New York and an agency in Miami, three representative offices (located in Mexico City, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires) and approximately 1,000 correspondent banks. We have established credit relations with 90 correspondent banks and an account relationship with approximately 40 correspondent banks.

 

We use our international network in order to:

 

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

 

    supply additional savings alternatives to our predominantly Chilean customers;

 

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

 

    provide treasury and cash management services and lending alternatives to our corporate customers on an international basis;

 

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

 

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

 

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The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2002, the composition of our portfolio of loans originated through our New York branch and Miami agency:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

     New York Branch

   Miami Agency

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Foreign trade loans

   Ch$ 73,707    Ch$ 27,936

Commercial loans

     67,613      47,717

Interbank loans

     33,647      2,376

Contingent loans

     12,195      9,467

Other loans

     3,167      292
    

  

Total

   Ch$ 190,329    Ch$ 87,788
    

  

 

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2002, the sources of funding for our New York branch and for the Miami agency:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

 
     New York Branch

    Miami Agency

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Current accounts

   Ch$ 71,504    16.4 %   Ch$ 17,333    10.3 %

Certificates of deposits and time deposits

     239,842    54.9       126,113    74.8  

Other demand deposits

     38,590    8.8       13,793    8.2  

Contingent liabilities

     12,195    2.8       9,467    5.6  

Foreign borrowings

     63,700    14.6       1,684    1.0  

Other liabilities

     10,732    2.5       112    0.1  
    

  

 

  

Total

   Ch$ 436,563    100.0 %   Ch$ 168,502    100.0 %
    

  

 

  

 

New York Branch. Our wholly owned New York branch was established in 1982 and provides a range of general banking services, including deposit-taking, mainly to non-residents of the United States. At December 31, 2002, the New York branch had total assets of Ch$464,078 million, including a loan portfolio of Ch$190,329 million, representing 3.1% of our total loan portfolio. Of the New York branch’s loans, Ch$67,613 million were commercial loans, mostly to large private corporations in Chile and in other Latin American countries. The remaining Ch$122,716 million were principally foreign trade loans, amounting to Ch$73,707 million, and contingent loans (letters of credit and stand-by letters of credit), amounting to Ch$12,195 million. In 2002, our New York branch recognized a charge to net income of U.S.$19 million, or approximately Ch$13,600 million as a result of a permanent impairment in connection with certain Argentine corporate bonds. Our New York branch has reduced its exposure to Argentina and Brazil. Investments in bonds and foreign securities were Ch$208,330 million at December 31, 2002, most of which consisted of private sector bonds. The New York branch’s allowances for loan losses totaled Ch$1,718 million, which represented 0.9% of the branch’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2002. In addition, our New York branch had Ch$521 million in country risk allowances.

 

Funding sources for the New York branch include current account, money market accounts and deposits for less than 30 days of Ch$200,878 million, time deposits of Ch$149,059 million and foreign borrowings of Ch$63,700 million, which is also the outstanding balance of the branch’s long-term syndicated bank loans.

 

As of December 31, 2002, the New York branch had capital of Ch$27,515 million (including a net loss of Ch$5,773 for the year).

 

At December 31, 2002, the New York branch had Ch$2,166 million in past due loans. Although the New York branch manages its assets and liabilities locally, it follows the same credit processes as are followed in Santiago, Chile and all credit decisions are made by our account officers in Santiago, Chile.

 

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Miami Agency. Our wholly owned Miami agency was opened in 1995 and provides a range of traditional commercial banking services, mainly to non-residents of the United States, including deposit-taking, providing credit to finance foreign trade and making loans to individuals or Chilean companies involved in foreign trade. Additionally, our Miami agency provides correspondent banking services to financial institutions, including working capital loans, letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances. At December 31, 2002, our Miami agency had total assets of Ch$175,037 million, a loan portfolio of Ch$87,788 million representing 1.4% of our total loan portfolio, and an investment portfolio of Ch$68,092 million. Our Miami agency’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2002 consisted primarily of Ch$47,717 million of commercial loans to Latin American private sector companies, including Chilean companies with operations in other Latin American countries, and Ch$27,936 million of foreign trade loans. The agency’s funding sources include demand deposits, money market accounts and deposits for less than 30 days (Ch$76,698 million), time deposits (Ch$80,541 million) and contingent liabilities (Ch$9,467 million). The equity of the Miami agency as of December 31, 2002 was Ch$6,535 million, including net income of Ch$383 million for the year.

 

At December 31, 2002, the Miami agency did not have past due loans. Allowances for loan losses amounted to Ch$682 million, not including the Ch$788 million in country risk allowances. Although the Miami agency manages its assets and liabilities locally, it follows the same credit processes as are followed in Santiago, Chile, and all credit decisions are made by our account officers in Santiago, Chile.

 

Individual customer accounts and our deposit taking activities are monitored under strict customer approval procedures that are encompassed in our anti-money laundering program.

 

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

 

Retail Banking

 

Our retail banking business area serves the needs of retail customers from high- to lower-middle income individuals, with service being segmented according to the client’s income. At December 31, 2002, loans made by this business area represented 26.5% of our total loan portfolio. Approximately Ch$46,340 million of our net income before tax for the year ended December 31, 2002 was accounted for by our retail banking business area.

 

The following table sets forth the composition of our retail banking business area’s loan portfolio as of December 31, 2002:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

 
    

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December

31, 2002, except for percentages)

 

Mortgage loans

   Ch$ 738,309    45.2 %

Consumer loans

     398,982    24.4  

Commercial loans

     86,801    5.3  

Leasing contracts

     4,363    0.3  

Contingent loans

     1,831    0.1  

Foreign trade loans

     1,247    0.1  

Other loans(1)

     402,193    24.6  
    

  

Total

   Ch$ 1,633,726    100.0 %
    

  


(1)   Other loans include primarily mortgage loans financed by our general borrowings and lines of credit.

 

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High- and Middle-Income Individuals. We define high- and middle-income individuals as those with annual income in excess of Ch$5.7 million (approximately U.S.$8,000) (in 2002, per capita annual income in Chile was approximately U.S.$4,000).

 

Our high- and middle-income individuals subsegment offers our customers a broad range of retail banking products, including residential mortgage loans, lines of credit and other consumer loans, credit cards, checking accounts, savings accounts and time deposits. We also offer mutual funds and brokerage services to individuals as described under “—Operations through Subsidiaries” below. At December 31, 2002, we had outstanding extensions of credit to approximately 254,450 high- and middle-income individuals, including approximately 35,050 residential loans, 215,100 lines of credit, 95,440 other consumer loans and 231,070 credit card accounts. At the same date, this area maintained 286,750 checking accounts, 121,766 savings accounts and 67,550 time deposits.

 

We provide service to high- and middle-income individual customers through a network of 173 branches including four specialized “Private Banking” centers, 20 specialized transaction centers and 2,782 ATMs (799 of which are owned by us) located throughout Chile that form part of a network operated by Redbanc S.A., a company owned by us and 14 other private sector financial institutions. Since 1994, we have offered a nationwide phone-banking service that permits our high- and middle-income individual customers to receive balances and other account-related information, transfer funds between accounts and effect a wide variety of credit transactions. In 1997, we launched a full 24-hour banking service under the brand “TodaHora” and our homepage on the internet to better serve our high- and middle-income individual customers.

 

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

 

At December 31, 2002, we had Ch$257,996 million in installment loans, which accounted for 64.7% of the retail banking business area’s consumer loans. A majority of installment loans are denominated in pesos and are payable monthly.

 

Mortgage Loans. At December 31, 2002, there were outstanding mortgage loans of Ch$680,452 million to high- and middle-income individuals, which represented 46.2% of the retail banking business area’s total loans and 11.0% of our total loan portfolio. A feature of our mortgage loans to individuals is that mortgaged property typically secures all of a mortgagor’s credit with us, including credit card and other loans.

 

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

 

We have promoted the expansion of a mortgage-lending product, which we call “Mutuos Hipotecarios” as an alternative form to traditional financing of mortgage loans with mortgage bonds. Whereas our traditional mortgage loans are financed by means of mortgage finance bonds, Mutuos Hipotecarios are financed with our general funds, especially long-term subordinated bonds. Mutuos Hipotecarios is a product that is tradable among banks, investment funds and insurance companies. Mutuos Hipotecarios offer the

 

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opportunity to finance 80% of the lower of the purchase price or the appraised value of the property, as opposed to the 75% that a standard mortgage would allow.

 

At December 31, 2002, we were Chile’s second largest private sector bank in terms of amount of mortgage loans and, based on information prepared by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks; we accounted for approximately 18.9% of the residential mortgage loans in the Chilean banking system and approximately 24.8% of such loans made by private sector banks.

 

Credit Cards. We issue both Visa and MasterCard credit cards, and our product portfolio includes both personal and corporate cards. In addition to traditional cards, our credit card portfolio also includes co-branded cards (Travel Club and Global Pass), and 28 affinity card groups (of which seven are associated with our co-branded programs and e-cards under the brand name NetCard).

 

As of December 31, 2002, we had 255,172 valid accounts, with 388,261 cards in the high-middle income individuals subsegment. Total charges on our cards during 2002 amounted to Ch$296,999 million, with Ch$261,400 million corresponding to purchases and service payments in Chile and abroad and Ch$35,599 million corresponding to cash advances (both within Chile and abroad). These charge volumes represent a 31.57% market share in terms of volume of use of bank credit cards issued in Chile.

 

As of December 31, 2002, our credit card loans in the high- and middle-income individuals subsegment amounted to Ch$46,586 million and represented 11.7% of our retail banking business area’s consumer loans.

 

Two Chilean companies that are affiliated with us, Transbank S.A. and Nexus S.A., provide us with merchant acquisition and credit card processing services. As of December 31, 2002, Transbank had 18 shareholders and Nexus had seven shareholders, all of which are banks. As of December 31, 2002, our equity ownership in Transbank was 17.4% and our equity interest in Nexus was 25.8%.

 

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

 

Debit Cards. We have different types of cards with debit options. Depending on their specifications, these cards can be used for banking transactions on the ATMs that operate on the local network, Redbanc, the Visa International PLUS network, the local network of merchants participating in the local Redcompra debit program or the international network of merchants associated with the Electron program. We have given these debit cards different names (Chilecard Normal, Chilecard Plus, Chilecard Electron, Chilecard Empresas, Banjoven, Cheque Electronico, Multiedwards, Cuenta Directa and Cuenta Familiar) based on their specific functions and the relevant brand and target market to which they are oriented. In order to promote the use of debit cards in Chile, in October 2000 we and other banks associated with Transbank launched a promotional campaign to encourage the use of Redcompra debit cards as a means of payment at local stores. We have attained a 29% market share of debit card transactions, with more than 7.5 million transactions performed in 2002.

 

Lines of Credit. We had 215,100 approved lines of credit to customers in our high- and middle-income individuals subsegment at December 31, 2002 and outstanding advances to 162,966 individuals totaling Ch$89,740 million, or 5.5% of the retail banking business area total loans.

 

Our individual lines of credit are generally available on a revolving basis, up to an approved credit limit, and may be used for any purpose. Advances under lines of credit are denominated in pesos and bear

 

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interest at a rate that is set monthly. At the customer’s option, a line of credit loan may be renewed and re-priced for successive monthly periods, in each case subject to minimum monthly payments.

 

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

 

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

 

At December 31, 2002, the retail banking business area administered 286,750 checking accounts for approximately 276,140 customers with an aggregate balance of Ch$285,360 million. At such date, our checking account balances totaled approximately Ch$1,072,183 million and represented 13.4% of our total liabilities.

 

Lower Income Individuals—Credichile. We offer products and services to the lower-middle to middle income portions of the Chilean population through Credichile, which we established specifically to serve the needs of customers in this market subsegment. Credichile represents a distinct delivery channel for our products and services in this market subsegment, maintaining a separate brand and network of 46 Credichile branches and nine other credit centers. Credichile offers our customers a range of products, including consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans and residential mortgage loans and a special demand deposit account (see “—Bancuenta” below) targeted at low-income customers. At December 31, 2002, Credichile had approximately 164,670 customers and total loans outstanding of Ch$160,536 million, representing 2.6% of our total loan portfolio at that date.

 

Improved economic conditions in Chile over the last decade and the growth of the Chilean middle class has resulted in increased demand for consumer credit by lower-middle income individuals, whom we classify as persons with annual income between Ch$1.4 million (approximately U.S.$2,000) and Ch$5.7 million (approximately U.S.$8,000). Many of these individuals have not had prior exposure to banking products or services. Credichile focuses on developing and marketing innovative segment-oriented products to satisfy the needs of individuals in this subsegment while introducing them to the banking system and complements the services offered in our other business areas, especially our large corporations business area, by offering services to employers such as direct deposit capabilities that engender the use of our services by employees.

 

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks requires a greater allowance for loan losses with lower credit classifications, such as those of Credichile. Credichile employs its own credit scoring system and other criteria to evaluate and monitor credit risk. Credichile seeks to ensure the quality of our loan portfolio through adherence to our loan origination procedures, particularly the use of our credit scoring system and credit management policies, including the use of credit bureaus and the services of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Credichile uses rigorous procedures for collection of past due loans. Socofin S.A., our specialized collection subsidiary, provides collection services. We believe that we have the necessary procedures and infrastructure in place to manage the exposure to a higher degree of credit risk that Credichile presents. These procedures allow us to take advantage of the higher growth and earnings potential of this subsegment of the banking industry while helping to manage the exposure to higher risk. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Operations and the Banking Industry—The growth of our loan portfolio may expose us to increased loan losses, and its rate of growth may decrease in the future.”

 

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Consumer Lending. Credichile provides short- to medium-term consumer loans and credit card services. As of December 31, 2002, Credichile had approximately 152,703 consumer loans that totaled Ch$88,829 million outstanding at December 31, 2002. As of the same date, Credichile customers had 26,989 valid credit card accounts, with loans of Ch$5,570 million and total charges of Ch$2,910 million.

 

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

 

At December 31, 2002, Credichile had approximately 697,750 Bancuenta accounts. Bancuenta account holders pay an annual fee, a fee each time the account holder draws on the Bancuenta line of credit and interest on any outstanding balance under the line of credit. All fees and interest due on a Bancuenta account are withdrawn automatically on a monthly basis from funds available in the account. Bancuenta allows us to offer our large corporate customers the ability to pay their employees by direct deposit of funds into the individual employee’s account at Credichile. We believe this product can lead to stronger long-term relationships with our large and middle market corporate customers and with the employees of such customers.

 

Treasury and Money Market Operations

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2002 amounted to Ch$1,598,900 million, of which 68.6% corresponded to securities issued by the Central Bank and the Chilean Government, 21.1% corresponded to securities from foreign issuers, 7.7% corresponded to securities issued by local financial institutions and 2.6% corresponded to securities issued by Chilean corporate issuers. Our investment strategy is designed with a view to supplementing our expected profitability, risks and economic variable projections. Our investment strategy is kept within regulatory limits as well as internal limits defined by our financial committee and our Asset and Liability Management Committee, or ALCO.

 

Operations through Subsidiaries

 

We have made several strategic long-term investments in financial services companies, which are engaged in activities complementary to our commercial banking activities. Our principal goal in making these

 

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investments is to develop a comprehensive financial services group capable of meeting the diverse financial needs of our current and potential clients.

 

Chile’s General Banking Law, which took effect in 1981, restricted the ability of Chilean banks to provide non-banking financial services, although prior thereto we had established a leasing subsidiary in 1977 and a mutual fund subsidiary in 1980. In 1987, the law was amended and banks were permitted to offer, through subsidiaries, certain services considered complementary to commercial banking activities. During the period from 1987 to 1989, we established two additional subsidiaries to provide the full range of financial products and services that could be offered indirectly by Chilean banks under Chilean law. These products and services include financial leasing, financial advisory services, mutual funds and securities brokerage services. The General Banking Law was further amended in 1997 to extend the scope of permissible activities of banks and their subsidiaries to include factoring, securitization and insurance brokerage, all of which have been incorporated by us as new activities.

 

On April 23, 1999, we increased our 65% interest in Leasing Andino S.A. by acquiring, together with Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A., all of the shares of Leasing Andino owned by Orix Corporation. On July 1, 1999, we acquired the remaining 6,380 shares outstanding in Leasing Andino and, consequently, held 100% of this company’s share capital. Leasing Andino was then dissolved and we assumed all of its rights and obligations. We are continuing the financing lease activities developed by Leasing Andino, and have maintained the Leasing Andino brand and trademark.

 

On June 27, 2002, we acquired 100% of the shares of Promarket S.A. and Socofin. These two new subsidiaries are closed corporations (Sociedad Anonima Cerrada). For a description of the business activities of these subsidiaries, see “—Sales Services” and “—Collection Services.”

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to our financial services subsidiaries at December 31, 2002:

 

     As of or for the year ended December 31, 2002

     Assets

   Shareholders’ Equity

   Net Income (loss)

     (in millions of Ch$)

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

   Ch$ 184,538    Ch$ 20,742    Ch$ 5,493

Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A.

     9,417      3,651      4,866

Banchile Factoring S.A.

     54,348      5,060      1,276

Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A.

     1,357      1,076      653

Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda

     3,294      2,528      815

Banchile Securitizadora S.A.

     7,727      516      65

Promarket S.A.

     786      347      56

Socofin S.A.

     3,944      631      38

 

The following table sets out our ownership interest in our financial services subsidiaries at December 31, 2002:

 

     Ownership

 
     Direct

    Indirect

 

Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A.

   99.98 %   0.02 %

Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda.

   99.75     0.25  

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

   99.68     0.31  

Banchile Factoring S.A.

   99.52     0.48  

Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A.

   99.52     0.42  

Banchile Securitizadora S.A.

   99.00     1.00  

Promarket S.A.

   99.00     1.00  

Socofin S.A.

   99.00     1.00  

 

Each of these subsidiaries is incorporated under the laws of Chile.

 

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Securities Brokerage Services. We provide securities brokerage services through Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A. Banchile Corredores is registered with the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros, or the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, the regulator of Chilean open stock corporations, as a securities broker and is a member of the Santiago Stock Exchange and the Chilean Electronic Stock Exchange. Since it was founded in 1989, Banchile Corredores has provided stock brokerage services, fixed income investments and foreign exchange products to individuals and businesses through our branch network. During the year ended December 31, 2002, Banchile Corredores had an aggregate trading volume on the Santiago Stock Exchange and the Chilean Electronic Stock Exchange of approximately Ch$1,454,901 million. At December 31, 2002, Banchile Corredores had a net worth of Ch$20,742 million, and for the year ended December 31, 2002, had net income of Ch$5,493 million, which represented 10.4% of our consolidated net income for such period.

 

Mutual and Investment Fund Management. Since 1980, we have provided mutual fund management services through Banchile Administradora de Fondos Mutuos S.A., a subsidiary that on July 1, 2002 changed its name to Banchile Administradora General de Fondos. As of December 31, 2002, according to data prepared by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos was the largest mutual fund manager in Chile, managing 27.5% of all Chilean mutual funds assets. At December 31, 2002, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos operated 33 mutual funds and managed Ch$1,225,884 million in net assets on behalf of 95,619 corporate and individual participants. Banchile Administradora General de Fondos also operates two investment funds, Banchile Trust and Capital Trust, and manages Ch$13,000 million in assets on behalf of 1,113 participants.

 

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The following table sets forth information regarding the various mutual funds managed by Banchile Administradora General de Fondos at December 31, 2002:

 

          Net Asset Value

Name of Fund


  

Type of Fund


   As of December 31, 2002

         

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of

 December 31, 2002)

Utilidades

  

Fixed income (short/medium term)

   Ch$ 389,420        

Liquidez 2000

  

Fixed income (short term)

   163,813

Deposito XXI

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

   121,423

Corporativo

  

Fixed income (short term)

   114,577

Estrategico

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     87,707

Horizonte

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     67,887

Patrimonial

  

Fixed income (short term)

     67,402

Performance

  

Fixed income (short/medium term)

     42,023

Corporate Dollar Fund

  

Fixed income (short term)

     27,545

Ahorro

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

     25,764

Operacional

  

Fixed income (short term)

     23,552

Disponible

  

Fixed income (short term)

     23,321

Alianza

  

Debt/Equity (medium/long term)

     17,491

Renta futura

  

Fixed income (short/medium term)

       8,064

Cobertura

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

       7,075

Inversion

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

       5,593

Crecimiento

  

Fixed income (short term)

       5,141

Banchile Acciones

  

Equity

       4,172

U.S. Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       3,593

Emerging Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       2,581

Global

  

Debt/Equity

       2,292

U.S. High Technology Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       1,907

U.S. Stability Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       1,893

Capitalisa Accionario

  

Equity

       1,768

Euro Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       1,720

Latin America Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       1,539

Asia Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       1,539

International Bond

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

       1,238

Technology Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       1,178

Medical & Health-Care Fund

  

Debt/Equity

       1,161

U.S. Bond Fund

  

Fixed income (medium/long term)

          828

Telecommunication Fund

  

Debt/Equity

          425

Euro Technology Fund

  

Debt/Equity

          252
         

Total

        Ch$1,225,884            
         

 

At December 31, 2002, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos had net worth of Ch$3,651 million and for the year ended December 31, 2002, had net income of Ch$4,866 million, which represented 9.2% of our consolidated net income for such period.

 

Factoring Services. We provide factoring services to our customers through Banchile Factoring S.A. Through this service, we purchase our customers’ outstanding debt portfolios, such as bills, notes, promissory notes or contracts, advancing them the cash flows involved and performing the collection of the related instruments. As of December 31, 2002, Banchile Factoring had net income of Ch$1,276 million, with a 33.7% return on shareholders’ equity and an estimated 20.98% market share in Chile’s factoring industry.

 

Financial Advisory Services. We provide financial advisory and other investment banking services to our customers through Banchile Asesoria Financiera S.A. The services offered by Banchile Asesoria Financiera are directed primarily to our corporate customers and include advisory services regarding mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, project financing and strategic alliances. As of December 31, 2002, Banchile Asesoria Financiera had a net worth of Ch$1,076 million, and for the year ended December 31, 2002, had net income of Ch$653 million.

 

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Insurance Brokerage. We provide insurance brokerage services to our customers through Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda. At the beginning of 2000 we began to offer life insurance policies associated with consumer loans and non-credit related insurance to our individual clients and the general public. As of December 31, 2002, Banchile Corredores de Seguros had a net worth of Ch$2,528 million, and for the year ended December 31, 2002, had net income of Ch$815 million. Banchile Corredores de Seguros had a 2.4% market share by amount of policies sold by insurance brokerage companies during 2001, the latest year for which information is available for insurance brokerage companies.

 

Securitization Services. We offer investment products to meet the demands of institutional investors such as private pension funds and insurance companies through Banchile Securitizadora S.A. This subsidiary securitizes financial assets, which involves the issuance of a debt instrument, with a credit rating, that can be traded in the Chilean marketplace, backed by a bundle of revenue-producing assets of the client company. As of December 31, 2002, Banchile Securitizadora had a net worth of Ch$516 million, and for the year ended December 31, 2002 had net income of Ch$65. Banchile Securitizadora had a 23.4% market share by volume of assets securitized during 2002.

 

Sales Services. Promarket manages the direct sales force that sells and promotes our products and services (such as checking accounts, consumer loans and credit cards), together with those of our subsidiaries, and researches information about potential customers. As of December 31, 2002, Promarket had a net worth of Ch$347 million, and for the year ended December 31, 2002 had net income of Ch$56 million.

 

Collection Services. We provide judicial and extrajudicial collection services of loans on our behalf or on behalf of third parties through Socofin. As of December 31, 2002, Socofin had a net worth of Ch$631 million, and for the year ended December 31, 2002 had a net loss of Ch$38 million.

 

Distribution Channels and Electronic Banking

 

Our distribution network provides integrated financial services and products to our customers through a wide range of channels. This network includes ATMs, branches, on-line banking and phone-banking devices. We own and operate 799 ATMs, and are connected to the nationwide Redbanc ATM network of approximately 2,782 ATMs. In addition, we are connected to the nationwide Banco Estado ATM network of approximately 800 ATMs. These ATMs allow customers to conduct self-service banking transactions during banking and non-banking hours.

 

As of December 31, 2002, we had a network of 219 retail branches throughout Chile. The branch system serves as a distribution network for all of the products and services offered to our customers. Our full-service branches accept deposits, disburse cash, offer the full range of our retail banking products such as consumer loans, automobile financing, credit cards and checking accounts, lend to small- and medium-size companies and provide information to current and potential customers.

 

We offer electronic banking services to our customers 24 hours a day through our internet website, www.bancochile.cl, which has homepages that are segmented by market. Our retail homepage offers a broad range of services, including the payment of bills, electronic fund transfers, stop payment and non-charge orders, as well as a wide variety of account inquiries. Our middle market companies homepage offers services including our office banking service, Banconexion Web, which enables our middle market companies customers to perform all of their banking transactions from their offices. Both homepages offer our customers the sale of third-party products with exclusive benefits. We also have a homepage designed for our investor customers, through which they can perform transactions such as stock trading, time deposit taking and opening savings accounts. Our foreign trade customers can rely on our international business homepage, which enables them to inquire about the status of their foreign trade transactions and perform transactions such as opening letters of credit, recording import collection and hedging on instructions and letters of credit. In 2002, approximately 114,000 individual customers and 20,000 corporate customers performed close to 4.3 million transactions monthly on our website.

 

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In addition, we provide our customers with access to a 24-hour phone-banking call center that grants them access to account information and allows them to effect fund transfers and certain payments. This service, through which we receive an average of 750,000 calls per month, has enabled us to develop customer loyalty campaigns, sell financial services and products, answer specialized inquiries about our remote services and receive and resolve complaints by customers and non-customers.

 

We are, in conjunction with 15 other Chilean banks, a shareholder of Sociedad Interbancaria de Transferencias Electronicas S.A., a corporation that executes electronic transfer services and provides support services to banks through the installation, operation, maintenance and development of equipment and systems for the automatic and electronic transfer of funds. The availability of this transfer capability facilitates our ability to service our customers efficiently.

 

In the first quarter of 2001, in association with Banco de Credito e Inversiones, we created a company called Comercio Electronico Artikos Chile S.A. with the purpose of providing Chilean companies with the opportunity to trade their products and services on an electronic basis through the internet. We supplement this service with a wide range of financial services and electronic payment means. Artikos Chile uses the Commerce One platform, a world leader in business-to-business technological solutions.

 

Competition

 

Overview

 

The Chilean market for banking and other financial services is highly competitive, and we face significant competition in each of our principal areas of operation. The Chilean financial services market consists of a number of distinct sectors. The most important sector, commercial banking, includes 24 privately owned banks and one public sector bank, Banco del Estado. The privately owned banks have traditionally been divided between those that are principally Chilean-owned, of which there are ten, and those that are principally foreign-owned, of which there are 14. At December 31, 2002, three banks, Banco Santander-Chile (24.7%), our bank (18.7%) and the public sector bank, Banco del Estado (12.5%) together accounted for 55.9% of all outstanding loans by Chilean financial institutions, net of interbank loans. Chilean-owned banks together accounted for 56.8% of total loans outstanding while foreign-owned banks accounted for 42.7% of total loans outstanding. The sole finance company accounted for 0.5% of total loans outstanding.

 

As a commercial bank offering a range of services to all types of businesses and individual customers, we face a variety of competitors, ranging from other large, privately owned commercial banks to more specialized entities like finance companies and “niche” banks. The principal commercial banks in Chile include Banco Santander-Chile, Banco de Credito e Inversiones, BBVA Banco BHIF, Corpbanca and Citibank. We consider other private sector banks to be our primary competitors. Nevertheless, we face competition to a lesser extent from Banco del Estado, which has a larger distribution network and larger customer base than we do. Banco del Estado, which operates under the same regulatory regime as Chilean private sector banks, was the third largest bank in Chile at December 31, 2002, with outstanding loans, net of interbank loans, of Ch$3,908,603 million, representing a 12.5% market share, according to data published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.

 

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

 

In the retail banking business area, we compete with other private sector Chilean banks, as well as with Banco del Estado. Among private Chilean banks, we consider our strongest competitors in this business area to be Banco Santander-Chile and Banco de Credito e Inversiones, as each of these banks has developed business strategies that focus on the lower-middle to middle income subsegments of the Chilean population. In the individual banking sector, particularly with respect to high-income individuals, we compete with both

 

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private Chilean and foreign-owned banks and consider our strongest competitors in this market to be Banco Santander-Chile and Citibank.

 

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

 

We expect the trend of increased competition and consolidation to continue, particularly in connection with the formation of new large financial groups. In this regard, in mid-1996 Banco Santander of Spain took control of Banco Osorno and merged it into its Chilean operations, changing its name to Banco Santander-Chile. In addition, Banco O’ Higgins and Banco de Santiago merged in January 1997, forming Banco Santiago. In 1999, Banco Santander of Spain took control of Banco Santiago. In August 2002, Banco Santiago and Banco Santander–Chile, the second and fourth largest banks in Chile at that date, respectively, merged and became Chile’s largest bank. Although we believe that we are currently large enough to compete effectively in our target markets, any further consolidation in the Chilean financial system may adversely affect our competitive position in the Chilean financial services industry.

 

Historically, commercial banks in Chile have competed in the retail market against each other, with finance companies and with department stores, the latter two having traditionally been focused on consumer loans to middle- and low-income subsegments. However, finance companies have gradually disappeared as they have been merged into the largest banks. At December 31, 2002 there was only one finance company in the market. It initiated operations as a private sector bank in January 2003.

 

Non-bank competition from large department stores has become increasingly significant in the consumer lending sector. Indeed, two new consumer-oriented banks, affiliated with Chile’s largest department stores have been established during recent years. Although these new banks had a market share of less than 1% as of December 31, 2002, according to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the opening of these banks is likely to bring increased competition into the consumer banking business.

 

In addition, some local investor groups have announced their intention to incorporate new banks in 2003. We expect that the addition of these new banks will lead to greater competition, particularly in banking services directed to middle-income individuals.

 

The following table provides certain statistical information on the Chilean financial system as of December 31, 2002:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

 
     Assets

    Loans(1)

    Deposits

    Shareholders’ Equity(2)

 
     Amount

   Share

    Amount

   Share

    Amount

   Share

    Amount

   Share

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except percentages)  

Domestic private sector banks

   Ch$ 18,911,494    40.2 %   Ch$ 13,864,851    44.3 %   Ch$ 11,391,738    40.8 %   Ch$ 1,587,343    39.0 %

Foreign-owned banks

     21,314,049    45.3       13,347,376    42.7       12,280,827    44.0       2,082,745    51.2  
    

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Private sector total

     40,225,543    85.5       27,212,227    87.0       23,672,565    84.8       3,670,088    90.2  

Banco del Estado

     6,613,250    14.1       3,908,603    12.5       4,087,283    14.7       371,600    9.1  
    

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Total banking system

     46,838,793    99.6       31,120,830    99.5       27,759,848    99.5       4,041,688    99.3  

Finance company

     171,784    0.4       146,510    0.5       133,140    0.5       27,848    0.7  
    

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Financial system total

   Ch$ 47,010,577    100.0 %   Ch$ 31,267,340    100.0 %   Ch$ 27,892,988    100.0 %   Ch$ 4,069,536    100.0 %
    

        

        

        

      

Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks
(1)   Net of interbank loans.
(2)   Shareholders’ equity includes net income for purposes of this table.

 

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Loans

 

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

 

     Bank Loans(1)

 
     As of December 31,

 
     1998

     1999

     2000

     2001

     2002

 

Banco Santander-Chile

   11.7 %    12.3 %    11.5 %    11.7 %    24.7 %

Banco de Chile

   11.7      12.4      12.7      12.1      18.7  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones

   7.8      8.1      7.9      9.0      10.4  

BBVA Banco BHIF

   4.9      5.4      5.8      6.0      6.7  

Banco Santiago(2)

   17.3      16.1      15.8      16.1      —    

Banco de A. Edwards(3)

   7.9      7.7      8.3      7.4      —    
    

  

  

  

  

Total market share for six banks

   61.3 %    62.0 %    62.0 %    62.3 %    60.5 %
    

  

  

  

  


Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks
(1)   For ease of comparison, interbank loans have been eliminated.
(2)   Banco Santiago merged with Banco Santander-Chile in August 2002.
(3)   Banco de A. Edwards merged with us on January 1, 2002.

 

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Risk Index

 

At October 31, 2002, our unconsolidated risk index of 2.98% was higher than the financial system’s 1.95%. For a discussion of risk index, see “—Selected Statistical Information.” The following graph illustrates the five-year history of our unconsolidated loan portfolio risk index compared to the risk index of total loans in the Chilean financial system as of October 31 for each of the years indicated and as of February 28, 2003.

 

LOGO


Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

Our unconsolidated risk index for February 28, 2003 was 2.98%, compared with an average of 2.00% for the financial system as a whole. Our unconsolidated risk index has increased substantially as a result of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards on January 1, 2001.

 

The following table sets forth the unconsolidated risk index of the six largest private sector banks and that of the financial system as a whole (including such six banks) at October 31 in each of the last five years and at February 28, 2003:

 

     Unconsolidated Risk Index As of

 
     October 31,

    February 28,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

    2003

 

Banco Santiago(1)

   0.93 %       1.39 %       1.34 %       1.26 %       —       —    

Banco de A. Edwards(2)

   1.32     2.79     2.90     3.23     —       —    

Banco de Credito e Inversiones

   0.91     1.57     1.95     1.63     1.34 %   1.33 %

BBVA Banco BHIF

   1.55     2.11     2.18     1.81     1.68     1.69  

Banco Santander–Chile

   1.16     1.23     1.42     1.38     1.61     1.77  

Banco de Chile

   1.60     2.07     2.01     2.03     2.98     2.98  

Financial system

   1.50 %   1.98 %   2.08 %   1.90 %   1.95 %   2.00 %

Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks
(1)   Banco Santiago merged with Banco Santander-Chile in August 2002.
(2)   Banco de A. Edwards merged with us on January 1, 2002.

 

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Credit Quality

 

At December 31, 2002, according to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, we had an unconsolidated ratio of past due loans to total loans of 2.43%. The following table sets forth the ratio of past due loans to total loans for the six largest private sector banks at December 31 in each of the last three years:

 

     Past Due Loans to Total Loans

 
     As of December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 

Banco Santiago(1)

   1.42 %   1.37 %   —    

Banco de A. Edwards(2)

   2.83     3.31     —    

Banco de Credito e Inversiones

   1.68     1.37     1.09 %

BBVA Banco BHIF

   1.78     2.10     1.97  

Banco Santander–Chile

   1.61     1.36     2.15  

Banco de Chile

   1.19     1.29     2.43  
    

 

 

Total for six banks

   1.66 %   1.65 %   2.03 %
    

 

 


Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks
(1)   Banco Santiago merged with Banco Santander-Chile in August 2002.
(2)   Banco de A. Edwards merged with us on January 1, 2002.

 

Deposits

 

We had deposits of Ch$4,652,136 million at December 31, 2002 on an unconsolidated basis. In unconsolidated terms, our 16.7% of the market share for deposits, including borrowings from domestic financial institutions, placed us in second place among private sector banks. The following table sets forth the market shares in terms of deposits for the six private sector banks with the largest market share as of December 31 in each of the last three years:

 

     Deposits

 
     As of December 31,

 
     2000

       2001

       2002

 

Banco Santiago(1)

   12.3 %      13.4 %      —    

Banco de A. Edwards(2)

   6.9        6.6        —    

BBVA Banco BHIF

   4.7        5.3        6.9 %

Banco de Credito e Inversiones

   8.5        9.2        10.3  

Banco de Chile

   12.5        12.7        16.7  

Banco Santander–Chile

   11.8        12.7        22.1  
    

    

    

Total market share for six banks

   56.7 %      59.9 %      56.0 %
    

    

    


Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks
(1)   Banco Santiago merged with Banco Santander-Chile in August 2002.
(2)   Banco de A. Edwards merged with us on January 1, 2002.

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

With Ch$565,595 million in shareholders’ equity (not including net income), according to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, at December 31, 2002, we were the second largest private sector commercial bank in Chile in terms of shareholders’ equity.

 

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

 

     Shareholders’ Equity

     As of December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Banco de A. Edwards(1)

   Ch$ 234,347    Ch$ 236,057      —  

Banco Santiago(2)

     431,389      432,668      —  

BBVA Banco BHIF

     235,328      234,696    Ch$ 236,767

Banco de Credito e Inversiones

     194,281      226,483      254,664

Banco de Chile

     319,130      320,640      565,595

Banco Santander–Chile

   Ch$ 337,446    Ch$ 372,489    Ch$ 805,890

Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks
(1)   Banco de A. Edwards merged with us on January 1, 2002.
(2)   Banco Santiago merged with Banco Santander-Chile in August 2002.

 

Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity

 

Our return on average shareholders’ equity (including net income for the year) for the year ended December 31, 2002 was 8.9%, according to information published by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. The following table sets forth our return on average shareholders’ equity and the returns of our principal competitors and the Chilean financial system, in each case as of December 31 in each of the last five years:

 

    

Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity

Year Ended December 31,


 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

 

Banco de A. Edwards(1)

   13.0 %   (4.2 )%   1.5 %   4.3 %   —    

Banco Santiago(2)

   16.6     12.3     20.2     24.6     —    

BBVA Banco BHIF

   0.5     5.7     7.4     6.3     8.8 %

Banco de Chile

   20.6     19.5     23.6     23.7     8.9  

Banco Santander-Chile

   13.4     16.8     22.3     22.3     16.9  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones

   23.1     14.1     19.2     22.0     20.7  
    

 

 

 

 

Total average financial system

   11.4 %   9.2 %   12.6 %   15.9 %   13.7 %
    

 

 

 

 


Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks
(1)   Banco de A. Edwards merged with us on January 1, 2002.
(2)   Banco Santiago merged with Banco Santander-Chile in August 2002.

 

Efficiency

 

For the year ended December 31, 2002, our operating expenses as a percentage of our operating revenues, or efficiency ratio, was 61.1%, mainly influenced by non-recurring charges related to the merger.

 

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

 

     Efficiency Ratio(1)

 
     As of December 31,

 
     2000

     2001

     2002

 

Banco Santiago(2)

   50.4 %        50.3 %        —    

Banco de A. Edwards(3)

   65.9      65.3      —    

Banco Santander-Chile

   50.4      46.6      50.1 %

Banco de Credito e Inversiones

   62.6      55.5      54.8  

Banco de Chile

   57.3      56.3      61.1  

BBVA Banco BHIF

   65.2      64.1      64.6  
    

  

  

Average for six banks

   56.5 %    54.4 %    55.5 %
    

  

  


Source:   Chilean Superintendency of Banks
(1)   Calculated by dividing operating expense by operating revenue.
(2)   Banco Santiago merged with Banco Santander-Chile in August 2002.
(3)   Banco de A. Edwards merged with us on January 1, 2002.

 

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

 

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

 

The modern Chilean banking system dates back to 1925 and has been characterized by periods of substantial regulation and state intervention as well as periods of deregulation. The most recent period of deregulation commenced in 1975 and culminated in the adoption of a series of amendments to the General Banking Law. That law, amended most recently in 2001, granted additional powers to banks, including general underwriting powers for new issues of certain debt and equity securities and the power to create subsidiaries to engage in activities related to banking, such as brokerage, investment advisory, mutual fund services, administration of investment funds, factoring, securitization products and financial leasing services. Following the Chilean banking crisis of 1982 and 1983, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks assumed control of 19 banks representing approximately 51% of the total loans in the banking system. As part of the assistance that the Chilean government provided to Chilean banks, the Central Bank permitted banks to sell to it a certain portion of their problem loan portfolios at the book value of the loan portfolios. Each bank then repurchased such loans at their economic value (which, in most cases, was substantially lower than the book value at which the Central Bank had acquired the loans), with the difference to be repaid to the Central Bank out of future income. Pursuant to Law No. 18,818, which was passed in 1989, this difference was converted into subordinated debt.

 

The Central Bank

 

The Central Bank is an autonomous legal entity created by the Chilean Constitution. It is subject to the Chilean Constitution and its organic constitutional law, the “ley organica constitucional.” To the extent not inconsistent with the Chilean Constitution or the Central Bank’s organic constitutional law, the Central Bank is also subject to private sector laws, but in no event is it subject to the laws applicable to the public sector. It is directed and administered by a board of directors composed of five members designated by the President of Chile, subject to Senate approval.

 

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

 

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks

 

Banks are supervised and controlled by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, an independent Chilean governmental agency. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks authorizes the creation of new banks and has broad powers to interpret and enforce legal and regulatory requirements applicable to banks and financial companies. Furthermore, in case of noncompliance with its legal and regulatory requirements, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks has the ability to impose sanctions. In extreme cases, it can appoint, with the prior approval of the board of directors of the Central Bank, a provisional administrator to manage a bank. It must also approve any amendment to a bank’s bylaws or any increase in its capital.

 

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

 

Any person wishing to acquire, directly or indirectly, 10.0% or more of the share capital of a bank must obtain the prior approval of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. A person will not be allowed to vote shares acquired without this approval. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks may refuse to grant its approval, based on specific grounds set forth in the General Banking Law.

 

The prior authorization of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks is required for:

 

    the merger of two or more banks;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Such prior authorization is required solely when the acquiring bank or the resulting group of banks would own a significant market share in loans, defined by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to be more than 15.0% of all loans in the Chilean banking system. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks may prohibit the purchase or may condition the purchase on one or more of the following conditions:

 

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

 

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

 

    that the margin for interbank loans be diminished to 20.0% of the resulting bank’s total capital.

 

Pursuant to the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, ownership must be disclosed in the following situations:

 

    a bank is required to inform the Chilean Superintendency of Banks of the identity of any person owning, directly or indirectly, 5.0% or more of a bank’s shares;

 

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    a holder of ADSs must disclose to the depositary the identity of beneficial owners of ADSs registered under such holder’s name; and

 

    the depositary is required to notify the bank as to the identity of beneficial owners of ADSs, which such depositary has registered, and the bank, in turn, is required to notify the Chilean Superintendency of Banks of the identity of the beneficial owners of the ADSs representing 5.0% or more of such bank’s shares.

 

In addition, regulations require bank shareholders who individually hold 10.0% or more of a bank’s capital stock to periodically inform the Chilean Superintendency of Banks of their financial condition.

 

Limitations on Types of Activities

 

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

 

Relevant Amendments to the Banking Regulations

 

Pursuant to a circular issued by the Central Bank which took effect in June 2002, banks are permitted to pay interest on available checking account balances, with the client’s prior written approval, and subject to prior announcement to all customers. The Central Bank also authorized insurance and reinsurance corporations to issue credit cards through affiliates established under the supervision of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.

 

Deposit Insurance

 

The Chilean government guarantees up to 90.0% of the principal amount of certain time and demand deposits held by individuals. The Chilean government guarantee covers obligations with a maximum value (per person) of UF120 (Ch$2,009,294 or U.S.$2,821 as of December 31, 2002) for each calendar year, with respect to applicable time and demand deposits held by such person at any single Chilean bank.

 

Reserve Requirements

 

Deposits are subject to a reserve requirement of 9.0% for demand deposits and 3.6% for time deposits, excluding obligations with a maturity of more than one year. Prior to January 13, 2003, the reserve requirements were 19.0% for dollar-denominated and other foreign currency denominated demand deposits and 13.6% for dollar-denominated and other foreign currency denominated time deposits and obligations, excluding foreign currency denominated obligations with a maturity of more than one year. Banks were permitted to deduct, on a daily basis, the balance in foreign currency of certain loans and financial investments held outside of Chile from their foreign currency denominated liabilities subject to reserve requirements. The deductions were done as follows:

 

    first, term liabilities denominated in foreign currency and subject to reserve requirements;

 

    second, if there were any positive difference, demand liabilities denominated in foreign currency and subject to reserve requirements; and

 

    finally, foreign loans subject to reserve requirements.

 

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The total deductible amount was not permitted to exceed 70.0% of a bank’s effective equity. On January 13, 2003, the Central Bank decreased the reserve requirements for dollar-denominated and other foreign currency denominated demand and time deposits. Such demand and time deposits currently have the same reserve requirements as are applicable to Chilean peso deposits. Consequently, the aforementioned deductions have been eliminated. The Central Bank has statutory authority to increase reserve requirements up to an average of 40.0% for demand deposits (of any denomination) and up to 20.0% for time deposits (of any denomination) to implement monetary policy. In addition, a 100.0% technical reserve applies to demand deposits, deposits in checking accounts, or obligations payable on sight incurred in the ordinary course of business, other deposits unconditionally payable immediately or within a term of less than 30 days and time deposits payable within 10 days prior to maturity, to the extent their aggregate amount exceeds 2.5 times the amount of a bank’s paid-in capital and reserves.

 

Minimum Capital

 

Under the General Banking Law, a bank must have a minimum paid-in capital and reserves of UF800,000 (approximately Ch$13,395 million or U.S.$18 million as of December 31, 2002). However, a bank may begin its operations with 50.0% of such amount, provided that it has a total capital ratio (defined as effective equity as a percentage of risk weighted assets) of not less than 12.0%. When such a bank’s paid-in capital reaches UF600,000 (approximately Ch$10,046 million or U.S.$14 million as of December 31, 2002) the total capital ratio requirement is reduced to 10.0%.

 

Capital Adequacy Requirements

 

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

 

    a bank’s paid-in capital and reserves;

 

    its subordinated bonds, considered at the issuing price (but decreasing 20.0% for each year during the period commencing six years prior to maturity), but not exceeding 50.0% of its net capital base, equal to a bank’s paid-in capital and reserves; and

 

    its voluntary allowances for loan losses, up to 1.25% of risk weighted assets.

 

Banks should also have capital basico, or net capital base, of at least 3.0% of its total assets, net of allowances. Net capital base is defined as a bank’s paid-in capital and reserves and is similar to Tier 1 capital except that it does not include net income for the period. An amendment to the General Banking Law enacted on November 7, 2001 eliminated the exclusion of the investment in subsidiaries and foreign branches from the calculation of net capital base.

 

The calculation of risk weighted assets is based on a five category risk classification system to be applied to a bank asset that is based on the Basel Committee recommendations.

 

Lending Limits

 

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

 

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

 

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pledge over the concession, or if granted by two or more banks or finance companies that have executed a credit agreement with the builder or holder of the concession;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Chilean banks are required to provide to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks detailed information regarding their loan portfolio on a monthly basis. Each bank is also required to maintain a global allowance for loan losses, the amount of which must at least equal the aggregate amount of its outstanding loans multiplied by the greater of (1) its risk index or (2) 0.75%. See “—Selected Statistical Information” for an explanation of the risk index and other information regarding allowance for loan losses. As of February 2003 (the latest available information), our unconsolidated risk index was 2.98% compared with an average for the Chilean financial system as a whole (i.e., all banks) of 2.00%, as of that date.

 

Banks in Chile are also required to maintain an individual allowance for loans on which any payment of principal or interest is 90 days or more overdue. An individual allowance for loan losses equal to 100.0% of the past due portion of such past due loan is required to the extent that the loan is unsecured. In the event that non-payment of a portion of a loan permits a bank to accelerate the loan, and the bank commences legal proceedings against the debtor to collect the full amount of the loan, the individual loan loss reserve must be equal to 100.0% of the loan within 90 days of the filing of the lawsuit. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks has ruled that in the case of past due loans, individual allowances for loan losses should be made only for the difference between 100.0% of the past due portion of a past due loan (or the full amount of the loan if the preceding sentence applies) and the reserve made for such loan when calculating the global loan loss reserve. As of December 31, 2002, the aggregate amount of our individual allowance for loan losses was 26.8% of our required minimum allowances for loan losses. A bank may also voluntarily maintain additional allowances for loan losses in excess of the minimum amounts required as global and individual allowances. See “—Regulation and Supervision—Selected Statistical Information.”

 

Obligations Denominated in Foreign Currencies

 

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

 

    there is a reserve requirement of 9.0% for demand deposits and 3.6% for time deposits, excluding foreign currency denominated obligations with a maturity of more than one year. Prior to January 13, 2003, such reserve requirements were 19% for dollar-denominated and other foreign currency denominated demand deposits and 13.6% in respect of dollar-denominated and other foreign currency denominated time deposits and obligations, see “—Reserve Requirements;”

 

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    a bank’s risk adjusted net asset (liability) foreign currency position cannot exceed 20.0% of its net capital base;

 

    under Central Bank regulations applicable since August 31, 1999, (1) the aggregate amount of our net foreign currency liabilities having an original maturity of less than 30 days cannot exceed our net capital base and (2) the aggregate amount of our net foreign currency liabilities having an original maturity of less than 90 days cannot exceed twice our net capital base; and

 

    the interest rate mismatches of our foreign currency liabilities may not exceed 8.0% of our net capital base.

 

Capital Markets

 

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

 

Legal Provisions Regarding Banking Institutions with Economic Difficulties

 

The General Banking Law provides that if specified adverse circumstances exist at any bank, its board of directors must correct the situation within 30 days from the date of receipt of the relevant financial statements. If the board of directors is unable to do so, it must call a special shareholders’ meeting to increase the capital of the bank by the amount necessary to return the bank to financial stability. If the shareholders reject the capital increase, or if it is not effected within the term and in the manner agreed to at the meeting, or if the Chilean Superintendency of Banks does not approve the board of directors’ proposal, the bank will be barred from increasing its loan portfolio beyond that stated in the financial statements presented to the board of directors and from making any further investments in any instrument other than in instruments issued by the Central Bank. In such a case, or in the event that a bank is unable to make timely payment in respect of its obligations or if a bank is under provisional administration of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the General Banking Law provides that the bank may receive a two-year term loan from another bank. The terms and conditions of such a loan must be approved by the directors of both banks, as well as by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, but need not be submitted to the borrowing bank’s shareholders for their approval. In any event, a creditor bank cannot grant interbank loans to an insolvent bank in an amount exceeding 25.0% of the creditor bank’s effective equity. The board of directors of a bank that is unable to make timely payment of its obligations must present a reorganization plan to its creditors in order to capitalize the credits, extend their respective terms, negotiate debt forgiveness or take other measures for the payment of the debts. If the board of directors of a bank submits a reorganization plan to its creditors and such arrangement is approved, all subordinated debt issued by the bank, whether or not matured, will be converted by operation of law into common stock in the amount required for the ratio of effective equity to risk-weighted assets not to be lower than 12.0%. If a bank fails to pay an obligation, it must notify the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which shall determine whether the bank is solvent.

 

Dissolution and Liquidation of Banks

 

The Chilean Superintendency of Banks may establish that a bank should be liquidated for the benefit of its depositors or other creditors when such bank does not have the necessary solvency to continue its operations. In such a case, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks must revoke a bank’s authorization to exist and order its mandatory liquidation, subject to agreement by the Central Bank. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks must also revoke a bank’s authorization if the reorganization plan of such bank has been rejected twice. The resolution by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks must state the reason for ordering the

 

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liquidation and must name a liquidator, unless the Chilean Superintendent of Banks assumes this responsibility. When a liquidation is declared, all checking accounts, other demand deposits received in the ordinary course of business, other deposits unconditionally payable immediately or that have a maturity of no more than 30 days, and any other deposits and receipts payable within 10 days, are required to be paid by using existing funds of the bank, its deposits with the Central Bank or its investments in instruments that represent its reserves. If these funds are insufficient to pay these obligations, the liquidator may seize the rest of the bank’s assets, as needed. If necessary and in specified circumstances, the Central Bank will lend the bank the funds necessary to pay these obligations. Any such loans are preferential to any claims of other creditors of the liquidated bank.

 

Investments in Foreign Securities

 

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

 

Rating Agency


   Short Term

  Long Term

Moody’s

   P2   Baa3

Standard & Poor’s

   A3   BBB-

Fitch IBCA

   F2   BBB-

Duff & Phelps

   D2   BBB-

Thomson Bankwatch

   TBW2           BBB

 

However, a Chilean bank may invest up to 20.0% of its effective equity in securities having a minimum rating as follows:

 

Rating Agency


   Short Term

  Long Term

Moody’s

   P2   Ba3

Standard & Poor’s

   A3   BB-

Fitch IBCA

   F2   BB-

Duff & Phelps

   D2   BB-

Thomson Bankwatch

   TBW2           BB

 

Additionally, a Chilean bank may invest up to 70.0% of its effective equity in securities having a minimum rating as follows:

 

Rating Agency


   Short Term

  Long Term

Moody’s

   P1   Aa3

Standard & Poor’s

   A1+   AA-

Fitch IBCA

   F1+   AA-

Duff & Phelps

   D1+   AA-

Thomson Bankwatch

   TBW1           AA

 

Subject to specific conditions, a bank may grant loans in dollars to subsidiaries or branches of Chilean companies located abroad, to foreign companies listed on foreign stock exchanges authorized by the Central

 

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Bank and, in general, to individuals and entities domiciled abroad, as long as the Central Bank is kept informed of such activities.

 

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

 

Allowance Requirements for Consumer Lending

 

In July 1997, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks established new allowance requirements for consumer lending. Pursuant to these requirements, a bank must revise the credit rating of all loans made to a particular borrower if the bank renegotiates any loan with that borrower. In addition, a bank must classify all consumer loans of a single borrower according to the borrower’s worst-rated loan, whereas previously, each loan was rated independently. Finally, a bank must establish and abide by more stringent follow-up procedures relating to a borrower’s consumer loans with other financial institutions. A bank, for example, must automatically review a borrower’s rating when the borrower’s records display a non-performing loan or other kind of negative credit activity in the databases of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks or a private information service, even if the borrower is not in default vis-à-vis the specific bank.

 

PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

 

We are domiciled in Chile, and own the approximately 71,000 square meter building, located at Ahumada 251, Santiago, Chile, that serves as our executive offices, and which serves as the executive offices for most our subsidiaries. In addition, we own an approximately 15,000 square meter building located at Huerfanos 740, Santiago, Chile, where the remainder of our executive offices are located. At December 31, 2002, we owned the properties on which 130 of our full service branches are located (approximately 90,000 square meters of office space). We lease office space for our remaining 89 full service branches and for the New York branch and Miami agency, as well as for our representative offices. We also own properties throughout Chile for back office and administrative operations, as well as for storage of documents and other purposes. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our present needs and suitable for their intended purposes.

 

We also own approximately 140,000 square meters in mainly recreational physical facilities in Chile, which we use to assist our employees in maintaining a healthy work and life balance and which we use for incentive and integration activities.

 

SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Rp =

  1+Np   – 1
 

1+I

 

and  

       

 

Rd =

  (1+Nd)(1+D)   – 1
 

1+I

 

 

Where:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Rd =

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

1+0.12

     

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    balances maintained in overseas banks earn interest on certain accounts in certain countries.

 

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

 

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

 

The following tables show, by currency of denomination, average balances and, where applicable, interest amounts, nominal and real rates for our assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

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    Year Ended December 31,

 
    2000

    2001

    2002

 
   

Average

balance


 

Interest

earned


 

Average

nominal

rate


   

Average

real rate


   

Average

balance


 

Interest

earned


 

Average

nominal

rate


    Average
real rate


   

Average

balance


  Interest
earned


  Average
nominal
rate


    Average
real
rate


 
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except percentages)  

Assets

                                                                       

Interest earning assets

                                                                       

Interbank deposits

                                                                       

Ch$

  Ch$ 32,852   Ch$ 1,320   4.02 %   (0.49 )%   Ch$ 24,302   Ch$ 1,210   4.98 %   2.28 %   Ch$ 39,344   Ch$ 1,465   3.72 %   0.88 %

UF

    —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —         382     —     —       —    

Foreign currency

    89,941     5,580   6.20     10.26       120,898     4,935   4.08     16.19       216,120     2,455   1.14     6.78  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    122,793     6,900   5.62     7.38       145,200     6,145   4.23     13.86       255,846     3,920   1.53     5.86  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Financial investments

                                                                       

Ch$

    67,749     19,612   28.95     23.36       188,846     15,522   8.22     5.44       455,959     48,966   10.74     7.70  

UF

    689,194     73,404   10.65     5.86       909,597     71,957   7.91     5.14       997,707     67,753   6.79     3.86  

Foreign currency

    399,810     21,926   5.48     9.51       469,774     21,357   4.55     16.71       374,528     12,754   3.41     9.18  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    1,156,753     114,942   9.94     8.14       1,568,217     108,836   6.94     8.64       1,828,194     129,473   7.08     5.91  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Commercial loans

                                                                       

Ch$

    356,511     92,494   25.94     20.49       412,238     84,861   20.59     17.48       881,363     137,164   15.56     12.39  

UF

    1,315,253     160,152   12.18     7.32       1,423,493     136,765   9.61     6.79       1,844,426     149,959   8.13     5.16  

Foreign currency

    218,249     16,940   7.76     11.88       186,630     12,388   6.64     19.04       302,464     6,897   2.28     7.99  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    1,890,013     269,586   14.26     10.33       2,022,361     234,014   11.57     10.10       3,028,253     294,020   9.71     7.55  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Consumer loans

                                                                       

Ch$

    172,061     45,511   26.45     20.97       186,432     47,321   25.38     22.16       362,916     85,008   23.42     20.04  

UF

    21,436     2,908   13.57     8.64       19,116     2,262   11.83     8.96       28,849     2,941   10.19     7.17  

Foreign currency

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

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    193,497     48,419   25.02     19.61       205,548     49,583   24.12     20.93       391,765     87,949   22.45     19.09  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Interbank loans

                                                                       

Ch$

    13,950     1,445   10.36     5.58       61,416     2,658   4.33     1.64       63,612     2,292   3.60     0.76  

UF

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

Foreign currency

    41,578     3,673   8.83     12.99       35,878     2,862   7.98     20.54       36,112     1,402   3.88     9.68  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    55,528     5,118   9.22     11.13       97,294     5,520   5.67     8.61       99,724     3,694   3.70     3.99  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Leasing contracts

                                                                       

Ch$

    1,389     269   19.37     14.19       1,535     274   17.85     14.82       1,269     207   16.31     13.12  

UF

    127,948     20,607   16.11     11.07       115,746     15,161   13.10     10.19       172,770     21,061   12.19     9.11  

Foreign currency

    47,868     9,614   20.08     24.67       54,973     13,051   23.74     38.14       67,097     10,809   16.11     22.59  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    177,205     30,490   17.21     14.77       172,254     28,486   16.54     19.15       241,136     32,077   13.30     12.88  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Foreign trade loans

                                                                       

Ch$

    —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —         5,890     278   4.72     1.85  

UF

    —       —     —       —         —       —     —       —         959     65   6.78     3.85  

Foreign currency

    413,843     8,278   2.00     5.89       438,652     6,251   1.43     13.22       618,855     4,080   0.66     6.28  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    413,843     8,278   2.00     5.89       438,652     6,251   1.43     13.22       625,704     4,423   0.71     6.23  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Mortgage loans

                                                                       

Ch$

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

UF

    769,729     94,614   12.29     7.43       801,286     87,674   10.94     8.09       1,234,505     130,883   10.60     7.57  

Foreign currency

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

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    769,729     94,614   12.29     7.43       801,286     87,674   10.94     8.09       1,234,505     130,883   10.60     7.57  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Contingent loans

                                                                       

Ch$

    29,336     3,886   13.25     13.25       36,797     2,688   7.30     7.30       44,185     1,395   3.16     3.16  

UF

    77,944     1,219   1.56     1.56       68,457     1,133   1.66     1.66       125,613     1,529   1.22     1.22  

Foreign currency

    165,154     368   0.22     0.22       188,504     377   0.20     0.20       202,421     321   0.16     0.16  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    272,434     5,473   2.01     2.01       293,758     4,198   1.43     1.43       372,219     3,245   0.87     0.87  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Past due loans

                                                                       

Ch$

    12,073     —     —       —         12,228     —     —       —         31,419     —     —       —    

UF

    29,660     35   0.12     (4.22 )     35,864     313   0.87     (1.72 )     102,553     29   0.03     (2.72 )

Foreign currency

    6,012     —     —       —         4,353       —     —       —         11,185     —     —       —    
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    47,745     35   0.07     (2.62 )     52,445     313   0.60     (1.18 )     145,157     29   0.02     (1.92 )
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total interest earning assets

                                                                       

Ch$

    685,921     164,537   23.99     18.61       923,794     154,534   16.73     13.73       1,885,957     276,775   14.68     11.53  

UF

    3,031,164     352,939   11.64     6.81       3,373,559     315,265   9.35     6.53       4,507,764     374,220   8.30     5.33  

Foreign currency

    1,382,455     66,379   4.80     8.80       1,499,662     61,221   4.08     16.19       1,828,782     38,718   2.12     7.82  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

  Ch$ 5,099,540   Ch$ 583,855   11.45 %   8.94 %   Ch$ 5,797,015   Ch$ 531,020   9.16 %   10.18 %   Ch$ 8,222,503   Ch$ 689,713   8.39 %   7.31 %
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

 

52


Table of Contents
    Year Ended December 31,

    2000

  2001

 

2002


   

Average

balance


   

Interest

earned


 

Average

nominal

rate


  Average
real rate


 

Average

balance


   

Interest

earned


 

Average

nominal

rate


  Average
real rate


 

Average

balance


   

Interest

earned


 

Average

nominal

rate


  Average
real rate


    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except percentages)

Assets

                                                                 

Non–interest earning assets

                                                                 

Cash and due from banks

                                                                 

Ch$

  Ch$ 301,061       —     —     —     Ch$ 324,430       —     —     —     Ch$ 451,747       —     —     —  

UF

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

Foreign currency

    63,617       —     —     —       45,164       —     —     —       68,314       —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Total

    364,678       —     —     —       369,594       —     —     —       520,061       —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Allowance for loan losses

                                                                 

Ch$

    (114,812 )     —     —     —       (123,932 )     —     —     —       (221,048 )     —     —     —  

UF

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

Foreign currency

    (4,814 )     —     —     —       (4,552 )     —     —     —       (3,875 )     —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Total

    (119,626 )     —     —     —       (128,484 )     —     —     —       (224,923 )     —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Fixed assets

                                                                 

Ch$

    84,645       —     —     —       83,705       —     —     —       143,042       —     —     —  

UF

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

Foreign currency

    2,434       —     —     —       1,312       —     —     —       1,696       —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Total

    87,079       —     —     —       85,017       —     —     —       144,738       —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Other assets

                                                                 

Ch$

    87,849       —     —     —       77,429       —     —     —       240,248       —     —     —  

UF

    1,923       —     —     —       1,670       —     —     —       2,116       —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    28,096       —     —     —       53,853       —     —     —       129,553       —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Total

    117,868       —     —     —       132,952       —     —     —       371,917       —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Total non–interest earning assets

                                                                 

Ch$

    358,743       —     —     —       361,632       —     —     —       613,989       —     —     —  

UF

    1,923       —     —     —       1,670       —     —     —       2,116       —     —     —  

Foreign currency

    89,333       —     —     —       95,777       —     —     —       195,688       —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Total

    449,999       —     —     —       459,079       —     —     —       811,793       —     —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Total assets

                                                                 

Ch$

    1,044,664     Ch$ 164,537   —     —       1,285,426     Ch$ 154,534   —     —       2,499,946     Ch$ 276,775   —     —  

UF

    3,033,087       352,939   —     —       3,375,229       315,265   —     —       4,509,880       374,220   —     —  

Foreign currency

    1,471,788       66,379   —     —       1,595,439       61,221   —     —       2,024,470       38,718   —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

Total

  Ch$ 5,549,539     Ch$ 583,855   —     —     Ch$ 6,256,094     Ch$ 531,020   —     —     Ch$ 9,034,296     Ch$ 689,713   —     —  
   


 

         


 

         


 

       

 

53


Table of Contents
    Year Ended December 31,

 
    2000

    2001

    2002

 
   

Average

balance


 

Interest

paid


 

Average

nominal

rate


   

Average

real rate


   

Average

balance


 

Interest

paid


 

Average

nominal

rate


   

Average

real rate


   

Average

balance


 

Interest

paid


 

Average

nominal

rate


   

Average

real rate


 
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except percentages)  

Liabilities

                                                                       

Interest bearing liabilities

                                                                       

Interest bearing demand deposits

                                                                       

Ch$

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

UF

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

Foreign currency

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

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

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

 

             

 

             

 

           

Savings accounts

                                                                       

Ch$

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

UF

  Ch$ 83,072   Ch$ 7,432   8.95 %   4.23 %   Ch$ 94,488   Ch$ 5,996   6.35 %   3.61 %   Ch$ 167,931   Ch$ 7,160   4.26 %   1.40 %

Foreign currency

    104,625     4,962   4.74     8.74       119,078     3,636   3.05     15.04       192,289     2,397   1.25     6.90  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    187,697     12,394   6.60     6.74       213,566     9,632   4.51     9.98       360,220     9,557   2.65     4.34  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Time deposits

                                                                       

Ch$

    744,943     79,996   10.74     5.94       835,752     64,514   7.72     4.95       1,800,305     95,593   5.31     2.42  

UF

    1,096,685     110,336   10.06     5.29       1,337,475     95,596   7.15     4.39       938,926     41,441   4.41     1.55  

Foreign currency

    408,216     12,561   3.08     7.01       502,591     10,360   2.06     13.93       800,778     4,160   0.52     6.13  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    2,249,844     202,893   9.02     5.82       2,675,818     170,470   6.37     6.36       3,540,009     141,194   3.99     3.03  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Central Bank borrowings

                                                                       

Ch$

    1,789     153   8.55     3.85       30,956     1,749   5.65     2.93       56,682     2,115   3.73     0.89  

UF

    3,153     235   7.45     2.80       2,761     162   5.87     3.14       4,003     122   3.05     0.22  

Foreign currency

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

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    4,942     388   7.85     3.18       33,717     1,911   5.67     2.95       60,685     2,237   3.69     0.84  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Repurchase agreements

                                                                       

Ch$

    116,341     12,901   11.09     6.27       129,331     8,629   6.67     3.93       210,727     8,727   4.14     1.29  

UF

    20,221     1,742   8.61     3.91       10,192     572   5.61     2.90       5,219     96   1.84     (0.95 )

Foreign currency

    31,656     3,166   10.00     14.20       37,342     2,293   6.14     18.49       157,706     1,541   0.98     6.61  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    168,218     17,809   10.59     7.48       176,865     11,494   6.50     6.94       373,652     10,364   2.77     3.50  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Mortgage finance bonds

                                                                       

Ch$

    —       —     —       —         —       —         —         —       —     —       —    

UF

    796,256     87,382   10.97     6.16       837,934     79,700   9.51     6.69       1,272,915     122,571   9.63     6.62  

Foreign currency

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

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    796,256     87,382   10.97     6.16       837,934     79,700   9.51     6.69       1,272,915     122,571   9.63     6.62  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Other interest bearing liabilities

                                                                       

Ch$

    31,732     14,660   46.20     39.86       20,677     8,495   41.08     37.46       36,049     3,617   10.03     7.02  

UF

    141,503     15,642   11.05     6.24       177,521     17,107   9.64     6.82       321,639     29,261   9.10     6.11  

Foreign currency

    434,973     14,812   3.41     7.35       395,852     10,907   2.76     14.71       396,092     3,316   0.84     6.47  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

    608,208     45,114   7.42     8.79       594,050     36,509   6.15     13.14       753,780     36,194   4.80     6.34  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total interest bearing liabilities

                                                                       

Ch$

    894,805     107,710   12.04     7.18       1,016,716     83,387   8.20     5.42       2,103,763     110,052   5.23     2.35  

UF

    2,140,890     222,769   10.41     5.62       2,460,371     199,133   8.09     5.31       2,710,633     200,651   7.40     4.46  

Foreign currency

    979,470     35,501   3.62     7.58       1,054,863     27,196   2.58     14.51       1,546,865     11,414   0.74     6.36  
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

Total

  Ch$ 4,015,165   Ch$ 365,980   9.11 %   6.45 %   Ch$ 4,531,950   Ch$ 309,716   6.83 %   7.48 %   Ch$ 6,361,261   Ch$ 322,117   5.06 %   4.22 %
   

 

             

 

             

 

           

 

54


Table of Contents
     Year Ended December 31,

     2000

  2001

  2002

     Average
balance


  Interest
paid


  Average
nominal
rate


  Average
real rate


  Average
balance


  Interest
paid


  Average
nominal
rate


  Average
real
rate


  Average
balance


  Interest
paid


  Average
nominal
rate


  Average
real rate


     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except percentages)

Liabilities

                                                            

Non–interest bearing liabilities

                                                            

Non–interest bearing demand deposits

                                                            

Ch$

   Ch$ 699,525     —     —     —     Ch$ 804,383     —     —     —     Ch$ 1,206,974     —     —     —  

UF

     10,951     —     —     —       5,852     —     —     —       17,017     —     —     —  

Foreign currency

     108,045     —     —     —       138,634     —     —     —       180,912     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Total

     818,521     —     —     —       948,869     —     —     —       1,404,903     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Contingent liabilities

                                                            

Ch$

     29,315     —     —     —       36,692     —     —     —       44,132     —     —     —  

UF

     77,562     —     —     —       68,103     —     —     —       125,561     —     —     —  

Foreign currency

     166,292     —     —     —       188,742     —     —     —       202,783     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Total

     273,169     —     —     —       293,537     —     —     —       372,476     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Other non–interest bearing

                                                            

Ch$

     28,582     —     —     —       31,929     —     —     —       98,045     —     —     —  

UF

     2,388     —     —     —       2,437     —     —     —       23,115     —     —     —  

Foreign currency

     44,200     —     —     —       72,736     —     —     —       179,971     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Total

     75,170     —     —     —       107,102     —     —     —         301,131     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Shareholders’ equity

                                                            

Ch$

     367,514     —     —     —       374,636     —     —     —       594,525     —     —     —  

UF

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

Foreign currency

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

 

         

 

         

 

       

Total

     367,514     —     —     —       374,636     —     —     —       594,525     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Total non–interest bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity

                                                            

Ch$

     1,124,936     —     —     —       1,247,640     —     —     —       1,943,676     —     —     —  

UF

     90,901     —     —     —       76,392     —     —     —       165,693     —     —     —  

Foreign currency

     318,537     —     —     —       400,112     —     —     —       563,666     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Total

     1,534,374     —     —     —       1,724,144     —       —     —       2,673,035     —     —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

                                                            

Ch$

     2,019,741   Ch$ 107,710   —     —       2,264,356   Ch$ 83,387   —     —       4,047,439   Ch$ 110,052   —     —  

UF

     2,231,791     222,769   —     —       2,536,763     199,133   —     —       2,876,326     200,651   —     —  

Foreign currency

     1,298,007     35,501   —     —       1,454,975     27,196   —     —       2,110,531     11,414   —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

Total

   Ch$ 5,549,539   Ch$ 365,980   —     —     Ch$ 6,256,094   Ch$ 309,716   —     —     Ch$ 9,034,296   Ch$ 322,117   —     —  
    

 

         

 

         

 

       

 

55


Table of Contents

Interest Earning Assets and Net Interest Margin

 

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

 

       Year Ended December 31,

 
       2000

     2001

     2002

 
       (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Total average interest earning assets

                      

Ch$

     Ch$   685,921      Ch$   923,794      Ch$1,885,957  

UF

     3,031,164      3,373,559      4,507,764  

Foreign currency

     1,382,455      1,499,662      1,828,782  
      

  

  

Total

     5,099,540      5,797,015      8,222,503  
      

  

  

Net interest earned(1)

                      

Ch$

     56,827      71,147      166,723  

UF

     130,170      116,132      173,569  

Foreign currency

     30,878      34,025      27,304  
      

  

  

Total

     Ch$   217,875      Ch$   221,304      Ch$   367,596  
      

  

  

Net interest margin, nominal basis(2)

                      

Ch$

     8.28 %    7.70 %    8.84 %

UF

     4.29      3.44      3.85  

Foreign currency

     2.23      2.27      1.49  
      

  

  

Total

     4.27 %    3.82 %    4.47 %
      

  

  


(1) Net interest earned is defined as interest revenue earned less interest expense incurred.

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

 

Changes in Net Interest Revenue—Volume and Rate Analysis

 

The following tables compares, by currency of denomination, changes in our net interest revenue between 2001 and 2002 and between 2000 and 2001 caused by (1) changes in the average volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and (2) changes in their respective nominal interest rates. Volume and rate variances have been calculated based on movements in average balances over the period and changes in nominal interest rate, average interest earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities. The net change attributable to changes in both volume and rate has been allocated proportionately to the change in volume and the change in rate.

 

56


Table of Contents
    

Increase (Decrease)

from 2000 to 2001

due to changes in


   

Net change

from

2000 to 2001


   

Increase (Decrease)

from 2001 to 2002

due to changes in


   

Net change

from

2001 to 2002


 
     Volume

    Rate

      Volume

    Rate

   
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

Assets

      

Interest earning assets

                                                

Interbank deposits

                                                

Ch$

   Ch$ (386 )   Ch$ 276     Ch$ (110 )   Ch$ 615     Ch$ (360 )   Ch$ 255  

UF

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Foreign currency

     1,591       (2,236 )     (645 )     2,423       (4,903 )     (2,480 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     1,205       (1,960 )     (755 )     3,038       (5,263 )     (2,225 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Financial investments

                                                

Ch$

     17,133       (21,223 )     (4,090 )     27,487       5,957       33,444  

UF

     20,128       (21,575 )     (1,447 )     6,569       (10,773 )     (4,204 )

Foreign currency

     3,505       (4,074 )     (569 )     (3,845 )     (4,758 )     (8,603 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     40,766       (46,872 )     (6,106 )     30,211       (9,574 )     20,637  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Commercial loans

                                                

Ch$

     13,172       (20,805 )     (7,633 )     77,169       (24,866 )     52,303  

UF

     12,400       (35,787 )     (23,387 )     36,351       (23,157 )     13,194  

Foreign currency

     (2,276 )     (2,276 )     (4,552 )     5,236       (10,727 )     (5,491 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     23,296       (58,868 )     (35,572 )     118,756       (58,750 )     60,006  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Consumer loans

                                                

Ch$

     3,698       (1,888 )     1,810       41,599       (3,912 )     37,687  

UF

     (296 )     (350 )     (646 )     1,026       (347 )     679  

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     3,402       (2,238 )     1,164       42,625       (4,259 )     38,366  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Interbank loans

                                                

Ch$

     2,472       (1,259 )     1,213       92       (458 )     (366 )

UF

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Foreign currency

     (475 )     (336 )     (811 )     19       (1,479 )     (1,460 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     1,997       (1,595 )     402       111       (1,937 )     (1,826 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Leasing contracts

                                                

Ch$

     27       (22 )     5       (45 )     (22 )     (67 )

UF

     (1,841 )     (3,605 )     (5,446 )     7,015       (1,115 )     5,900  

Foreign currency

     1,544       1,893       3,437       2,502       (4,744 )     (2,242 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     (270 )     (1,734 )     (2,004 )     9,472       (5,881 )     3,591  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Foreign trade loans

                                                

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         278       278  

UF

     —         —         —         —         65       65  

Foreign currency

     472       (2,499 )     (2,027 )     1,970       (4,141 )     (2,171 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     472       (2,499 )     (2,027 )     1,970       (3,798 )     (1,828 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Mortgage loans

                                                

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

     3,763       (10,703 )     (6,940 )     46,010       (2,801 )     43,209  

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     3,763         (10,703 )     (6,940 )     46,010       (2,801 )     43,209  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Contingent loans

                                                

Ch$

     828       (2,026 )     (1,198 )     460       (1,753 )     (1,293 )

UF

     (154 )     68       (86 )     756       (360 )     396  

Foreign currency

     49       (40 )     9       26       (82 )     (56 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     723       (1,998 )     (1,275 )     1,242       (2,195 )     (953 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Past due loans

                                                

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

     9       269       278       212       (496 )     (284 )

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     9       269       278       212       (496 )     (284 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total interest earning assets

                                                

Ch$

     36,944       (46,947 )     (10,003 )     147,377       (25,136 )     122,241  

UF

     34,009       (71,683 )     (37,674 )     97,939       (38,984 )     58,955  

Foreign currency

     4,410       (9,568 )     (5,158 )     8,331       (30,834 )     (22,503 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

   Ch$ 75,363     Ch$ (128,198 )   Ch$ (52,835 )   Ch$ 253,647     Ch$ (94,954 )   Ch$ 158,693  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

57


Table of Contents
     Increase (Decrease)
from 2000 to 2001
due to changes in


   

Net change
from

2000 to 2001


    Increase (Decrease)
from 2001 to 2002
due to changes in


   

Net change
from

2001 to 2002


 
     Volume

    Rate

      Volume

    Rate

   
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

Liabilities

                                                

Interest bearing liabilities

                                                

Interest bearing demand deposits

                                                

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Savings accounts

                                                

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

   Ch$ 926     Ch$ (2,362 )   Ch$ (1,436 )   Ch$ 3,585     Ch$ (2,421 )   Ch$ 1,164  

Foreign currency

     617       (1,943 )     (1,326 )     1,561       (2,800 )     (1,239 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     1,543       (4,305 )     (2,762 )     5,146       (5,221 )     (75 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Time deposits

                                                

Ch$

     8,922       (24,404 )     (15,482 )     56,163       (25,084 )     31,079  

UF

     21,200       (35,940 )     (14,740 )     (23,715 )     (30,440 )     (54,155 )

Foreign currency

     2,509       (4,710 )     (2,201 )     4,113       (10,313 )     (6,200 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     32,631       (65,054 )     (32,423 )     36,561       (65,837 )     (29,276 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Central Bank borrowings

                                                

Ch$

     1,665       (69 )     1,596       1,103       (737 )     366  

UF

     (27 )     (46 )     (73 )     56       (96 )     (40 )

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     1,638       (115 )     1,523       1,159       (833 )     326  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Repurchase agreements

                                                

Ch$

     1,315       (5,587 )     (4,272 )     4,145       (4,047 )     98  

UF

     (687 )     (483 )     (1,170 )     (200 )     (276 )     (476 )

Foreign currency

     499       (1,372 )     (873 )     2,462       (3,214 )     (752 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     1,127       (7,442 )     (6,315 )     6,407       (7,537 )     (1,130 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Mortgage finance bonds

                                                

Ch$

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

UF

     4,402       (12,084 )     (7,682 )     41,873       998       42,871  

Foreign currency

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     4,402       (12,084 )     (7,682 )     41,873       998       42,871  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Other interest bearing liabilities

                                                

Ch$

     (4,678 )     (1,487 )     (6,165 )     3,949       (8,827 )     (4,878 )

UF

     3,642       (2,177 )     1,465       13,161       (1,007 )     12,154  

Foreign currency

     (1,251 )     (2,654 )     (3,905 )     7       (7,598 )     (7,591 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

     (2,287 )     (6,318 )     (8,605 )     17,117       (17,432 )     (315 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total interest bearing liabilities

                                                

Ch$

     7,224       (31,547 )     (24,323 )     65,360       (38,695 )     26,665  

UF

     29,456       (53,092 )     (23,636 )     34,760       (33,242 )     1,518  

Foreign currency

     2,374       (10,679 )     (8,305 )     8,143       (23,925 )     (15,782 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total

   Ch$ 39,054     Ch$ (95,318 )   Ch$ (56,264 )   Ch$ 108,263     Ch$ (95,862 )   Ch$ 12,401  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

Investment Portfolio

 

The following table sets forth our investment in Chilean government and corporate securities and certain other financial investments as of December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Financial investments traded on a secondary market are shown adjusted to market value, following specific instructions from the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. These instructions provide for the recognition of such adjustments against income except in the case of a permanent portfolio, where an equity account, “Unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments,” may be directly adjusted, subject to certain restrictions.

 

58


Table of Contents
     December 31,

  

Weighted Average

Nominal Rate


     2000

   2001

   2002

   at December 31, 2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for rate data)

Central Bank and Government Securities

                         

Marketable debt securities

   Ch$ 283,075    Ch$ 541,803    Ch$ 593,136    2.85

Marketable debt securities with limited secondary market

     393,794      396,903      270,739    3.50

Chilean government securities

     1,986      26,948      5,476    5.74

Investments purchased under agreements to resell

     10,324      30,512      32,177    4.05

Investments collateral under agreements to repurchase

     91,297      79,033      195,033    3.42
    

  

  

  

Subtotal

     780,476      1,075,199      1,096,561    3.16
    

  

  

  

Corporate Securities and Other Financial Investments

                         

Investments in Chilean financial institutions

     4,868      6,428      45,044    4.50

Mortgage finance bonds issued by us

     77,704      142,763      —      —  

Foreign government notes

     67,925      254,216      188,948    2.77

Investments in foreign countries

     440,683      126,511      139,277    6.24

Other financial investments

     10,959      28,588      47,646    6.14

Investments collateral under agreements to repurchase

     45,177      65,501      81,424    4.72
    

  

  

  

Subtotal

     647,316      624,007      502,339    4.52
    

  

  

  

Total

   Ch$ 1,427,792    Ch$ 1,699,206    Ch$ 1,598,900    3.59
    

  

  

  

 

At December 31, 2002, financial instruments issued by the Central Bank were the only financial instruments we held whose aggregate book value exceeded 10% of our shareholders’ equity. These financial instruments are accounted for in the audited consolidated financial statements at market value. See note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The value of such investments at December 31, 2002 is as follows:

 

Issuer


     Carrying Value

     Market Value

       (in millions of constant
Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Central Bank

     Ch$ 1,058,908      Ch$ 1,058,908

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of our investments at December 31, 2002, by time remaining to maturity and the weighted average nominal rates of such investments:

 

    Within one
year


  Rate

    After one
year but
within five
years


  Rate

    After five
years


  Rate

    Total

   Rate

 
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for rate data)  

Central Bank and Government Securities

                                                

Marketable debt securities

  Ch$ 367,960   2.64 %   Ch$ 223,867   3.18 %   Ch$ 1,309   4.70 %   Ch$ 593,136    2.85 %

Marketable debt securities with limited secondary market

    270,739   3.50       —     —         —     —         270,739    3.50  

Chilean government securities

    207   4.19       369   2.82       4,900   6.03       5,476    5.74  

Investments purchased under agreements to resell

    32,177   4.05       —     —         —     —         32,177    4.05  

Investments collateral under agreements to repurchase

    61,112   4.33       130,611   2.92       3,310   6.17       195,033    3.42  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

    732,195   3.16       354,847   3.09       9,519   5.90       1,096,561    3.16  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Corporate Securities and Other Financial Investments

                                                

Investments in Chilean financial institutions

    26,573   3.64       8,144   5.03       10,327   6.32       45,044    4.50  

Mortgage finance bonds issued by us

    149,185   1.30       37,059   8.38       2,704   7.23       188,948    2.77  

Foreign government notes

    40,566   7.33       96,199   5.81       2,512   5.20       139,277    6.24  

Other financial investments

    19,559   5.08       11,431   6.21       16,656   7.34       47,646    6.14  

Investments collateral under agreements to repurchase

    48,559   3.71       27,101   6.21       5,764   6.17       81,424    4.72  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Subtotal

    284,442   3.05       179,934   6.39       37,963   6.74       502,339    4.52  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Total

  Ch$ 1,016,637   3.13 %   Ch$ 534,781   4.20 %   Ch$ 47,482   6.57 %   Ch$ 1,598,900    3.59 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

59


Table of Contents

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

 

     As of December 31,

     2000

  2001

  2002

Instruments


   Carrying
Value


 

Unrealized
Gains

(Losses)


 

Estimated

Fair
Value


  Carrying
Value


 

Unrealized
Gains

(Losses)


   

Estimated

Fair Value


  Carrying
Value


 

Unrealized
Gains

(Losses)


 

Estimated

Fair Value


     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Foreign private sector debt securities

     —     —       —     Ch$ 8,107     —       Ch$ 8,107     —       —       —  

Foreign financial institutions debt securities

     —     —       —       1,842   Ch$ 38       1,880     —       —       —  

U.S. government debt securities

     —     —       —       37,026     72       37,098   Ch$ 39,060   Ch$   5   Ch$ 39,065

Chilean government securities

   Ch$ 4,962   —     Ch$ 4,962     408,917     (7,407 )     401,510     274,757     5     274,762
    

 
 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Total

   Ch$ 4,962   —     Ch$ 4,962   Ch$ 455,892   Ch$ (7,297 )   Ch$ 448,595   Ch$ 313,817   Ch$ 10   Ch$ 313,827
    

 
 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Loan Portfolio

 

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

 

     December 31,

     1998

   1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Commercial loans:

                                  

General commercial loans

   Ch$ 1,604,214    Ch$ 1,580,208    Ch$ 1,689,353    Ch$ 1,667,520    Ch$ 2,517,319

Foreign trade loans

     372,487      396,074      390,783      388,439      611,671

Interbank loans

     44,634      18,971      28,772      24,453      54,818

Leasing contracts

     268,850      197,663      178,663      172,172      249,093

Other outstanding loans

     212,424      282,612      364,073      329,771      601,880
    

  

  

  

  

Subtotal commercial loans

     2,502,609      2,475,528      2,651,644      2,582,355      4,034,781
    

  

  

  

  

Mortgage loans:

                                  

Residential

     321,271      343,221      376,727      428,630      580,767

Commercial

     409,660      414,744      418,848      403,551      606,504
    

  

  

  

  

Subtotal mortgage loans

     730,931      757,965      795,575      832,181      1,187,271
    

  

  

  

  

Consumer loans

     200,003      190,863      201,106      214,480      412,757
    

  

  

  

  

Past due loans:

                                  

Commercial loans

     25,877      32,040      45,470      39,179      129,141

Residential mortgage loans

     1,692      3,479      4,653      6,491      10,245

Consumer loans

     2,425      2,761      3,010      2,813      4,549

Leasing contracts

     —        3,340      778      453      1,002
    

  

  

  

  

Subtotal past due loans

     29,994      41,620      53,911      48,936      144,937
    

  

  

  

  

Contingent loans

     313,404      277,814      266,743      296,633      381,767
    

  

  

  

  

Total loans

   Ch$ 3,776,941    Ch$ 3,743,790    Ch$ 3,968,979    Ch$ 3,974,585    Ch$ 6,161,513
    

  

  

  

  

 

The loan categories are as follows:

 

Commercial loans are long-term and short-term loans made in Chilean pesos, on an adjustable or fixed rate basis, to finance working capital or investments.

 

Consumer loans are loans to individuals, made in Chilean pesos, generally on a fixed rate basis, to finance the purchase of consumer goods or to pay for services. They also include credit card balances subject to interest charges.

 

Mortgage loans are inflation-indexed, fixed rate, long-term loans with monthly payments of principal and interest secured by a real property mortgage. Mortgage loans are financed in one of two ways, as traditional mortgage loans that are financed by mortgage finance bonds; or as flexible mortgages that are financed by our own funds. At present, the amount of a mortgage loan cannot be more than 75% of the value

 

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of the mortgaged property if it is financed by mortgage finance bonds and 80% of the value of the mortgaged property in the case of flexible mortgages.

 

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

 

Interbank loans are fixed rate, short-term loans to financial institutions that operate in Chile.

 

Leasing contracts are agreements for the financial leasing of capital equipment and other property.

 

Other outstanding loans include lines of credit, bills of exchange and mortgage loans which are financed by our general borrowings.

 

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

 

Contingent loans consist of guarantees granted by us in Chilean pesos, UF and foreign currencies, principally U.S. dollars, as well as open and unused letters of credit. Unlike U.S. GAAP, Chilean GAAP requires such loans to be included on a bank’s balance sheet. See note 28 to our consolidated audited financial statements.

 

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

 

Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans as of December 31, 2002

 

The following table sets forth an analysis by type and time remaining to maturity of our loans at December 31, 2002:

 

     Balance as of
December 31,
2002


   Due within
1 month


   Due after 1
month but
within 6
months


   Due after 6
months but
within 12
months


   Due after 1
year but
within 3 years


   Due after 3
years but
within 5 years


   Due after
5 years


     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 2,517,319    Ch$ 566,821    Ch$ 707,761    Ch$ 348,528    Ch$ 492,268    Ch$ 203,232    Ch$ 198,709

Consumer loans

     412,757      78,824      70,802      69,846      158,448      28,099      6,738

Mortgage loans

     1,187,271      12,170      42,273      51,627      204,473      199,495      677,233

Foreign trade loans

     611,671      143,813      371,513      58,693      29,701      6,519      1,432

Interbank loans

     54,818      18,795      32,222      1,425      2,376      —        —  

Leasing contracts

     249,093      19,695      11,524      26,831      78,329      41,821      70,893

Other outstanding loans

     601,880      266,696      39,335      6,963      26,826      30,753      231,307

Past due loans

     144,937      144,937      —        —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

Subtotal

     5,779,746      1,251,751      1,275,430      563,913      992,421      509,919      1,186,312

Contingent loans

     381,767      74,830      156,629      64,286      70,904      13,625      1,493
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total loans

   Ch$ 6,161,513    Ch$ 1,326,581    Ch$ 1,432,059    Ch$ 628,199    Ch$ 1,063,325    Ch$ 523,544    Ch$ 1,187,805
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

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The following table presents the interest rate sensitivity of our outstanding loans due after one year as of December 31, 2002, not including contingent loans:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

    

(in millions of constant Ch$

as of December 31, 2002)

Variable rate

      

Ch$

   Ch$ 5,454

UF

     497,773

Foreign currency

     162,025
    

Total

     665,252

Fixed rate

      

Ch$

     302,884

UF

     1,678,057

Foreign currency

     42,459
    

Total

     2,023,400
    

Total

   Ch$ 2,688,652
    

 

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Loans by Economic Activity

 

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

 

     As of December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
    

Loan

Portfolio


   % of loan
Portfolio


   

Loan

Portfolio


   % of loan
Portfolio


   

Loan

Portfolio


   % of loan
Portfolio


 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Agribusiness, Fishing

                                       

Agriculture and livestock

   Ch$ 165,512    4.47 %   Ch$ 164,044    4.46 %   Ch$ 196,341    3.40 %

Fruit

     146,592    3.96       140,844    3.83       164,669    2.85  

Forestry and wood extraction

     26,686    0.72       26,404    0.72       30,550    0.53  

Fishing

     106,389    2.87       90,258    2.45       95,253    1.65  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     445,179    12.02       421,550    11.46       486,813    8.43  

Mining and Petroleum

                                       

Mining and quarries

     66,744    1.80       46,448    1.26       93,133    1.61  

Natural gas and crude oil extraction

     12,670    0.35       14,589    0.40       38,097    0.66  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     79,414    2.15       61,037    1.66       131,230    2.27  

Manufacturing

                                       

Tobacco, food and beverages

     107,908    2.91       126,422    3.44       163,683    2.83  

Textiles, clothing and leather goods

     51,871    1.40       49,739    1.35       68,883    1.19  

Wood and wood products

     48,927    1.32       37,984    1.03       52,104    0.90  

Paper, printing and publishing

     21,998    0.59       12,290    0.33       19,969    0.35  

Oil refining, carbon and rubber

     66,185    1.79       58,217    1.58       60,963    1.05  

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

     148,963    4.02       148,883    4.05       153,879    2.66  

Other manufacturing industries

     44,662    1.22       27,879    0.76       71,369    1.23  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     490,514    13.25       461,414    12.54       590,850    10.21  

Electricity, Gas and Water

                                       

Electricity, gas and water

     78,952    2.13       53,470    1.45       76,455    1.32  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     78,952    2.13       53,470    1.45       76,455    1.32  

Construction

                                       

Residential buildings

     83,644    2.26       91,182    2.48       149,439    2.59  

Other constructions

     189,916    5.13       199,409    5.42       249,025    4.31  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     273,560    7.39       290,591    7.90       398,464    6.90  

Commerce

                                       

Wholesale

     107,914    2.91       105,290    2.86       259,241    4.49  

Retail, restaurants and hotels

     343,882    9.29       336,747    9.16       425,389    7.36  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     451,796    12.20       442,037    12.02       684,630    11.85  

Transport, Storage and Communications

                                       

Transport and storage

     109,556    2.96       98,873    2.69       112,224    1.94  

Communications

     29,844    0.81       27,841    0.76       26,646    0.46  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     139,400    3.77       126,714    3.45       138,870    2.40  

Financial Services

                                       

Financial insurance and companies

     291,150    7.87       334,720    9.10       608,965    10.53  

Real estate and other financial services

     407,316    11.00       363,413    9.88       527,021    9.12  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     698,466    18.87       698,133    18.98       1,135,986    19.65  

Community, Social and Personal Services

                                       

Community, social and personal services

     71,352    1.93       87,857    2.39       292,969    5.07  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Subtotal

     71,352    1.93       87,857    2.39       292,969    5.07  

Consumer Loans

     345,221    9.32       360,284    9.80       807,262    13.97  

Residential Mortgage Loans

     628,382    16.97       674,865    18.35       1,036,217    17.93  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total

   Ch$ 3,702,236    100.00 %   Ch$ 3,677,952    100.00 %   Ch$ 5,779,746    100.00 %
    

  

 

  

 

  

 

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Foreign Country Outstanding Loans

 

Our cross-border outstanding loans are principally trade-related. These loans include loans to foreign financial institutions and foreign corporations, some of which are guaranteed by their Chilean parent company. The table below lists the total amounts outstanding to borrowers in certain foreign countries at the end of the last three years, and thus does not include foreign trade-related loans to domestic borrowers.

 

     As of December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Albania

     —      Ch$ 16    Ch$ 35

Argentina

   Ch$ 72,530      37,493      29,782

Australia

     142      4      —  

Austria

     —        869      46

Bahamas

     1,888      —        —  

Belgium

     2,956      159      430

Bolivia

     828      856      177

Brazil

     30,949      36,225      53,093

British West Indies

     20,321      28,063      26,773

Canada

     22,537      159      954

Central America & Caribbean

     4,366      —        —  

China

     —        —        7,552

Colombia

     8,214      4,076      6,340

Denmark

     —        —        69

Ecuador

     61      68      85

El Salvador

     3,626      5,477      48

Finland

     179      210      255

France

     1,431      2,106      15,434

Germany

     277      42      837

Holland

     146      47      1,194

Hong Kong

     —        255      221

India

     —        176      540

Israel

     337      16      12

Italy

     44      —        533

Japan

     1,283      3,023      2,155

Korea

     —        32      3,188

Kuwait

     —        —        18

Mexico

     12,109      34,933      48,118

Norway

     24      —        —  

Panama

     5,428      10,427      12,449

Paraguay

     158      54      —  

Peru

     24,653      19,034      19,722

Singapore

     —        57      4,294

South Africa

     45      18      255

South Korea

     45      541      543

Spain

     2,290      306      4,756

Switzerland

     641      423      268

Sweden

     252      380      1,535

Taiwan

     —        —        510

United Arab Emirates

     —        27      210

United Kingdom

     1,917      939      6,748

United States

     27,289      21,965      27,791

Uruguay

     96      101      2

Venezuela

     —        3,449      —  

Yugoslavia

     —        —        155
    

  

  

Total

   Ch$ 247,062    Ch$ 212,026    Ch$ 277,127
    

  

  

 

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We also maintain deposits abroad, as needed to conduct our foreign trade transactions and manage liquidity. The table below lists the largest amounts of foreign deposits by country at the end of the past three years:

 

     December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Australia

   Ch$ 12    Ch$ 19    Ch$ 40

Austria

     31      30      41

Belgium

     174      112      72

Canada

     101      149      264

China

     175      197      —  

Denmark

     199      52      662

Finland

     —        40      13

France

     311      414      70

Germany

     2,596      1,666      2,367

Italy

     630      382      863

Japan

     1,133      323      328

Netherlands

     249      110      88

Norway

     50      15      42

Panama

     3      —        —  

Spain

     398      422      79

Sweden

     202      99      119

Switzerland

     137      295      228

United Kingdom

     269      337      365

United States

     60,828      82,753      86,732
    

  

  

Total

   Ch$ 67,498    Ch$ 87,415    Ch$ 92,373
    

  

  

 

The table below sets forth certain information about our outstanding loans to Argentina (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002):

 

Aggregate outstanding loans at January 1, 2002

   Ch$ 37,493  

Net change in short-term outstanding loans

     (365 )

Interest income accrued

     563  

Collections of principal

     (7,519 )

Collections of accrued interest

     (390 )
    


Aggregate outstandings at December 31, 2002

   Ch$ 29,782  
    


 

As is described in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors,” Argentina is experiencing an economic crisis, which may result in difficulties in certain loan repayments. Of our Ch$29,782 million in loans outstanding related to Argentina as of December 31, 2002, Ch$22,791 million were covered by guarantees, as is our policy. The majority of these guarantees (53.2%) are held within Chile and are generally of a fixed asset nature.

 

Credit Review Process

 

Our credit review system requires that two or more loan officers approve any loan to our customers, and that at least one of the loan officers have sufficient authority to cover our total risk exposure with respect to that customer.

 

The evaluation of total customer credit risk takes into account the direct risk outstanding and the added risk involved in the proposed transaction, the indirect risks associated with guarantees or security given by the customer, and the risk associated with other entities or individuals who have a direct or indirect affiliation with the customer, including in each case outstanding principal (adjusted for inflation), interest and the balance of any unused lines of credit and other credit transactions approved but not completed.

 

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Transactions in which the total customer credit risk is more than UF150,000 (approximately Ch$2,500 million) require the approval of a credit committee which includes three directors and our Chief Executive Officer. Transactions in which the total customer credit risk is equal to or less than UF150,000 may be approved by other executives, depending on the amount involved, as follows:

 

    

Limit in UF


Credit committee including members of the board of directors

  

up to legal limits

Chief executive officer

  

up to UF 150,000

Senior credit risk officer

  

up to UF 125,000

Executive credit risk officers

  

up to UF 100,000

Other credit risk officers

  

up to UF 60,000

Executive vice president of corporate banking

  

up to UF 50,000

Other department heads

  

up to UF 15,000

Other officers

  

under UF 10,000

 

In addition to reviewing the credit limit, the business area extending the credit must review the terms of the loan, the interest rate and any security to be obtained.

 

To evaluate a customer’s credit risk, our commercial executives use various computerized data bases that provide information such as the customer’s profile, indebtedness to us, financial statements, monthly sales information, profitability reports, indebtedness to other Chilean financial institutions and payment history with other creditors. For this purpose, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks makes information regarding a customer’s indebtedness within the financial system available to banks. For individual customers, scoring and other automated systems are used to determine the customer’s profile and payment capacity in terms of income, education, family obligations, other financial obligations and other factors.

 

Our credit process is based on credit policies approved by our board of directors and procedures established by the credit committee. The credit risk management area is responsible for evaluating for us in the aggregate the risk presented by our current or potential customers. We also rely upon the collective efforts of our professional analysts who conduct reviews at the request of any of our commercial divisions and senior management. These reports analyze the amount of a credit, its use, its term, the customer’s financial situation, the customer’s profile and the market in which the customer operates. These reports are prepared in four different formats: in-depth, summary, follow-up and project analysis. The risk control division reviews periodically the quality of our loans, including the related loan classifications. This division has a team of inspectors who audit on an ongoing basis the compliance with the credit review process by the commercial executives who are involved in the credit analysis process, the various categories of risk assigned to customers, the reports on past due loans and our evaluation of debtors.

 

Classification of Loan Portfolio

 

Chilean banks are required to classify their outstanding exposures on an ongoing basis for the purpose of determining the amount of allowance for loan losses. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks establishes the guidelines used by banks for such classifications, although banks are given some latitude in devising more stringent classification systems within such guidelines. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks regularly examines and evaluates each financial institution’s credit management process, including its compliance with the loan classification guidelines, and on that basis classifies banks and other financial institutions into three categories. Category I is reserved for institutions that fully comply with the loan classification guidelines. Institutions are rated in Category II if their loan classification system reveals deficiencies that must be corrected by the bank’s management. Lastly, Category III indicates significant deviations from the Chilean Superintendency of Banks guidelines that clearly reflect inadequacies in the evaluation of the risk and estimated losses associated with loans. We have been classified in Category I since December 1991, when the classification system established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks became applicable to us.

 

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For purposes of classification, loans are divided into consumer loans, residential mortgage loans and commercial loans, which for these classification purposes include all loans other than consumer loans and residential mortgage loans. In the case of commercial loans, the classification is based on the estimated losses on all loans outstanding to the borrower, as determined by the bank. In the case of consumer and residential mortgage loans, the extent to which payments are overdue determines the classification. Commercial and consumer loans are rated A, B, B-, C or D, while residential mortgage loans are rated only A, B or B-. Our total exposure to each of our customers and the classification of their loans are continuously reviewed by our commercial officers and by the risk control division. The provisions required for each category of loans, which are established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, are as follows:

 

     Commercial loans
range of
estimated losses


    Consumer loans
past due
status(1)


   Residential
mortgage loans
past due status(1)


     Provisions 
as a percentage
 of aggregate
exposure


 

Category


   From

    To

    From

  To

   From

   To

    
                 (Days)    (Days)         

A

   —       —       —     —      —      —        —    

B

   1 %   5 %   1   30    1    180      1 %

B-

   5     39     31   60    181    >181      20  

C

   40     79     61   120    —      —        60  

D

   80 %   100 %   121   >121    —      —        90 %

(1)   In addition, we have to maintain additional provisions for consumer and residential mortgage loans, including renegotiated loans.

 

The loan classification guidelines of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks applicable to commercial loans require that we classify the greater of:

 

    the commercial loans outstanding to our 400 largest debtors; or

 

    the commercial loans outstanding to our largest debtors, aggregating 75% of the total amount of loans included in our commercial loan portfolio.

 

These guidelines also require that we classify 100% of our residential mortgage and consumer loans. For these purposes, the loan amount includes outstanding principal, whether or not past due, and accrued and unpaid interest.

 

According to our internal credit policies, we classify our loans using the aforementioned guidelines. The criteria for determining the range of estimated losses for purposes of the classification of commercial loans are as follows:

 

Category “A”:

   A borrower’s loans are category “A” if there exists no doubt as to the borrower’s ability to repay the loans in a timely manner, except to the extent reflected in the loan’s original terms, including all interest due, and the revenues generated from the business of the borrower are sufficient to service the debt. If the borrower’s business does not generate the revenues needed for debt service, or if repayment depends on revenues generated by another entity, its loans will not be included in this category, even if fully secured.

Category “B”:

   This category includes loans outstanding to borrowers who have shown some degree of non-compliance with their obligations under the original conditions of their loans, but whose past financial records and market history indicate that such non-compliance should be temporary and, in any case, will not significantly affect the terms for repayment. This category also includes loans to customers involved in economic activities that represent a higher risk for us. Category “B” is also the highest category for loans outstanding to borrowers whose source of repayment depends on revenues generated by another entity, and loans outstanding to borrowers whose business does not generate the revenues needed for debt service, but only if the loans are fully secured.

 

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Category “B-”:

   Loans included in this category are principally loans outstanding to borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulties and whose operational revenues or liquid assets are insufficient to service the loans and where the security for the loan would cover 61% to 95% of the outstanding amount. Also included in this category are loans outstanding to borrowers whose financial history is insufficient or difficult to establish. Loans bearing interest rates that, due to our cost of funds, generate a financial loss of between 5% and 39% of the outstanding amount are also included in this category. Our internal guidelines prohibit us from categorizing as better than B- any loan to a customer for which the loan is currently subject to legal collection proceedings even if the customer’s loan is more than fully secured.

Category “C”:

   This category includes loans outstanding to borrowers who are experiencing serious financial difficulties and whose operational revenues or liquid assets are insufficient to service the loans and where the security for the loan would cover 21% to 60% of the outstanding amount. Loans bearing interest rates that, due to our cost of funds, generate a financial loss of between 40% and 79% of the outstanding amount are also included in this category. We expect to suffer some degree of loss with respect to loans to borrowers in this category.

Category “D”:

   This category includes loans outstanding to borrowers for which the estimated recovery amount on all loans is 20% or less. A charge-off of most of these outstanding loans is expected.

 

Analysis of Our Loan Classification

 

The following tables provide statistical data regarding the classification of our loans at the end of each of the last five years. As discussed above, our risk analysis system requires that loans to all customers be evaluated and classified, including past due and contingent loans:

 

     As of December 31, 1998

 

Category


   Commercial
Loans


    Consumer
Loans


    Residential
Mortgage
Loans


    Total
Loans


    Percentage
of Evaluated
Loans


 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

A

   Ch$ 1,549,691     Ch$ 171,911     Ch$ 361,490     Ch$ 2,083,092     55.84 %

B

     1,466,454       16,336       26,494       1,509,284     40.46  

B-

     95,295       5,595       2,088       102,978     2.76  

C

     21,756       4,918       —         26,674     0.72  

D

     4,415       3,666       —         8,081     0.22  
    


 


 


 


 

Total evaluated loans

   Ch$ 3,137,611     Ch$ 202,426     Ch$ 390,072     Ch$ 3,730,109     100.00 %
    


 


 


 


 

Total loans

   Ch$ 3,184,443     Ch$ 202,426     Ch$ 390,072     Ch$ 3,776,941        
    


 


 


 


     

Percentage evaluated

     98.53 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     98.76 %      

 

     As of December 31, 1999

 

Category


   Commercial
Loans


    Consumer
Loans


    Residential
Mortgage
Loans


    Total
Loans


    Percentage
of Evaluated
Loans


 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

A

   Ch$ 1,324,802     Ch$ 168,118     Ch$ 427,836     Ch$ 1,920,756     51.79 %

B

     1,527,867       12,414       33,078       1,573,359     42.42  

B-

     172,369       4,677       3,768       180,814     4.87  

C

     20,276       4,988       —         25,264     0.68  

D

     5,559       3,429       —         8,988     0.24  
    


 


 


 


 

Total evaluated loans

   Ch$ 3,050,873     Ch$ 193,626     Ch$ 464,682     Ch$ 3,709,181     100.00 %
    


 


 


 


 

Total loans

   Ch$ 3,085,482     Ch$ 193,626     Ch$ 464,682     Ch$ 3,743,790        
    


 


 


 


     

Percentage evaluated

     98.88 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     99.08 %      

 

68


Table of Contents
     As of December 31, 2000

 

Category


   Commercial
Loans


    Consumer
Loans


    Residential
Mortgage
Loans


    Total
Loans


    Percentage
of Evaluated
Loans


 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

A

   Ch$ 1,466,429     Ch$ 177,180     Ch$ 477,470     Ch$ 2,121,079     53.98 %

B

     1,527,248       15,266       37,280       1,579,794     40.21  

B-

     180,461       5,033       6,592       192,086     4.89  

C

     22,589       3,919       —         26,508     0.67  

D

     7,026       2,719       —         9,745     0.25  
    


 


 


 


 

Total evaluated loans

   Ch$ 3,203,753     Ch$ 204,117     Ch$ 521,342     Ch$ 3,929,212     100.00 %
    


 


 


 


 

Total loans

   Ch$ 3,243,520     Ch$ 204,117     Ch$ 521,342     Ch$ 3,968,979        
    


 


 


 


     

Percentage evaluated

     98.77 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     99.00 %      

 

     As of December 31, 2001

 

Category


   Commercial
Loans


    Consumer
Loans


    Residential
Mortgage
Loans


    Total
Loans


    Percentage
of Evaluated
Loans


 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

A

   Ch$ 1,337,916     Ch$ 188,104     Ch$ 521,656     Ch$ 2,047,676     52.10 %

B

     1,574,696       17,043       40,707       1,632,446     41.54  

B-

     171,384       5,769       7,151       184,304     4.69  

C

     52,377       3,812       —         56,189     1.43  

D

     6,738       2,565       —         9,303     0.24  
    


 


 


 


 

Total evaluated loans

   Ch$ 3,143,111     Ch$ 217,293     Ch$ 569,514     Ch$ 3,929,918     100.00 %
    


 


 


 


 

Total loans

   Ch$ 3,187,778     Ch$ 217,293     Ch$ 569,514     Ch$ 3,974,585        
    


 


 


 


     

Percentage evaluated

     98.60 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     98.88 %      

 

     As of December 31, 2002

 

Category


   Commercial
Loans


    Consumer
Loans


    Residential
Mortgage
Loans


    Total
Loans


    Percentage
of Evaluated
Loans


 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

A

   Ch$ 2,211,843     Ch$ 354,147     Ch$ 775,680     Ch$ 3,341,670     54.69 %

B

     2,255,615       38,746       62,943       2,357,304     38.57  

B-

     217,243       9,411       19,538       246,192     4.03  

C

     120,237       8,081       —         128,318     2.10  

D

     30,596       6,921       —         37,517     0.61  
    


 


 


 


 

Total evaluated loans

   Ch$ 4,835,534     Ch$ 417,306     Ch$ 858,161     Ch$ 6,111,001     100.00 %
    


 


 


 


 

Total loans

   Ch$ 4,886,046     Ch$ 417,306     Ch$ 858,161     Ch$ 6,161,513        
    


 


 


 


     

Percentage evaluated

     98.97 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     99.18 %      

 

Classification of Loan Portfolio Based on the Borrower’s Payment Performance

 

Interest and indexation readjustments from overdue loans are only recognized when and to the extent effectively received. Overdue loans are classified in groups of one to 29 days overdue, 30 to 89 days overdue, and 90 or more days overdue. This last group is referred to as “past due loans.” Past due loans must be covered by individual allowances for loan losses equivalent to 100% of any unsecured portion thereof, but only if, and to the extent that, the aggregate of all allowances for loan losses exceeds the global allowance for loan losses. See ”—Allowances for Loan Losses—Individual Allowances for Loan Losses.”

 

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Table of Contents

The following table sets forth as of December 31 of each of the last five years the amounts that are current as to payments of principal and interest and the amounts that are overdue:

 

     Domestic Loans

 
     As of December 31,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

Current

   Ch$ 3,438,921     Ch$ 3,451,410     Ch$ 3,655,242     Ch$ 3,690,885     Ch$ 5,693,162  

Overdue 1-29 days

     25,090       26,038       12,837       17,159       26,217  

Overdue 30-89 days

     13,998       12,169       10,095       6,501       22,236  

Overdue 90 days or more (“past due”)

     29,994       41,620       43,743       48,014       142,771  
    


 


 


 


 


Total loans

   Ch$ 3,508,003     Ch$ 3,531,237     Ch$ 3,721,917     Ch$ 3,762,559     Ch$ 5,884,386  
    


 


 


 


 


     Foreign Loans

 
     As of December 31,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

Current

   Ch$ 268,938     Ch$ 212,553     Ch$ 236,894     Ch$ 210,708     Ch$ 274,961  

Overdue 1-29 days

     —         —         —         350       —    

Overdue 30-89 days

     —         —         —         46       —    

Overdue 90 days or more (“past due”)

     —         —         10,168       922       2,166  
    


 


 


 


 


Total loans

   Ch$ 268,938     Ch$ 212,553     Ch$ 247,062     Ch$ 212,026     Ch$ 277,127  
    


 


 


 


 


     Total Loans

 
     As of December 31,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

Current

   Ch$ 3,707,859     Ch$ 3,663,963     Ch$ 3,892,136     Ch$ 3,901,593     Ch$ 5,968,123  

Overdue 1-29 days

     25,090       26,038       12,837       17,509       26,217  

Overdue 30-89 days

     13,998       12,169       10,095       6,547       22,236  

Overdue 90 days or more (“past due”)

     29,994       41,620       53,911       48,936       144,937  
    


 


 


 


 


Total loans

   Ch$ 3,776,941     Ch$ 3,743,790     Ch$ 3,968,979     Ch$ 3,974,585     Ch$ 6,161,513  
    


 


 


 


 


Overdue loans expressed as a percentage of total loans

     1.83 %     2.13 %     1.94 %     1.84 %     3.14 %

Past due loans as a percentage of total loans

     0.79 %     1.11 %     1.36 %     1.23 %     2.35 %

 

We suspend the accrual of interest on any loan when it is determined to be a loss or when it becomes past due. The amount of interest that would have been recorded on overdue loans if they had been accruing interest was Ch$4,642 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

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Table of Contents

Loans included in the previous table which have been restructured and as a result bear no interest are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Ch$

   Ch$ 1,568        Ch$ 1,674        Ch$ 1,602        Ch$ 1,550        Ch$ 4,870

UF

     430       424       255       253       216
    


 


 


 


 

Total

   Ch$ 1,998     Ch$ 2,098     Ch$ 1,857     Ch$ 1,803     Ch$ 5,086
    


 


 


 


 

 

The amount of interest that we would have recorded on these loans for the year ended December 31, 2002 if these loans had been earning a market interest rate was Ch$237 million.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Chilean banks are required to maintain an allowance for loan losses in amounts determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. A bank may also maintain a voluntary allowance in excess of the minimum required amount so as to provide additional coverage for potential loan losses. We have historically followed the practice of maintaining voluntary allowances. Under these regulations, the minimum amount of required allowance for loan losses is the greater of (1) a bank’s global allowance for loan losses and (2) the aggregate amount of its individual allowance for loan losses.

 

Global Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The amount of the global allowance for loan losses required to be maintained by a bank is equal to the aggregate amount of its outstanding loans multiplied by the greater of (1) the bank’s “risk index,” as defined below, and (2) 0.75%.

 

A bank’s risk index is based on the classification of its loans, determined as described above. More specifically, the index is computed as follows. First, the aggregate amount of evaluated loans in each category from A through D is multiplied by the corresponding required percentage determining the allowance for loan losses. The percentages are as follows:

 

Category


  

Provision Percentage


A

  

  0%

B

  

  1

B-

  

20

C

  

60

D

  

90%

 

The risk index itself is then calculated by dividing (1) the aggregate amount so calculated by (2) the aggregate amount (i.e., the outstanding principal, whether or not past due, and accrued and unpaid interest) of all evaluated loans. The chart below illustrates the evolution of our unconsolidated risk index over the last five years:

 

Consolidated Risk Index

At December 31,


1998

  

1.58%

1999

  

2.03

2000

  

2.01

2001

  

2.42

2002

  

3.00%

 

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Table of Contents

The chart below illustrates the evolution of our unconsolidated risk index over the last five years:

 

Unconsolidated Risk Index

At December 31,


1998

  

1.64%

1999

  

2.13

2000

  

2.05

2001

  

2.48

2002

  

3.10%

 

According to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the average risk index of all financial institutions in Chile, both foreign and domestic, was 2.00% as of February 28, 2003. As of February 28, 2003, our average unconsolidated risk index was 2.98%. Our average unconsolidated risk index was greater than the average for all financial institutions in Chile primarily as a result of the impact of the poor economic environment on our corporate clients and the merger with Banco de A. Edwards, whose risk index was higher than ours prior to the merger.

 

Individual Allowances for Loan Losses

 

Chilean banks are also required to establish individual allowances for loan losses that are more than 90 days past due. The individual allowance for loan losses must equal 100% of each overdue loan or the portion of such loan that is not secured with collateral acceptable to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Individual allowances for loan losses, however, are required only if, and to the extent that, they exceed in the aggregate the global allowance for loan losses.

 

Voluntary Allowances for Loan Losses

 

We follow an allowance policy that includes recording voluntary allowances for loan losses beyond what is required by the Chilean Superintendent of Banks, where changes in the portfolio concentrations or economic considerations affecting or reasonably expected to affect the credit payment capacity of borrowers are not adequately addressed through regulatorily mandated reserves. Thus, over the period from 1998 to 2002, during which the unconsolidated risk index rose from 1.64% to 3.10%, we recognized an increase in allowances for loan losses from 2.52% to 3.51% as a percentage of total loans.

 

The table below sets forth our allowances for loan losses as they would be computed on the basis of our risk index based on the basis of a minimum 0.75% of the loans, our global allowance for loan losses, our potential aggregate individual allowance for loan losses, the minimum allowance for loan losses to be established by us in accordance with the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, our voluntary allowances for loan losses, our total allowance for loan losses and such total allowance expressed as a percentage of our total loans at the end of each of the last five years:

 

     As of December 31,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Allowance based on risk index

   Ch$ 59,675     Ch$ 76,000     Ch$ 79,777     Ch$ 95,390     Ch$ 184,845  

Allowance based on 0.75%

     28,327       28,079       29,767       29,809       46,211  

Global allowance for loan losses

     53,277       66,181       69,465       85,755       143,002  

Individual allowance for loan losses

     10,640       13,852       13,652       16,052       52,435  

Required minimum allowance

     63,917       80,033       83,117       101,807       195,437  

Voluntary allowance

     31,294       32,373       36,813       34,536       20,557  
    


 


 


 


 


Total allowance for loan losses

   Ch$ 95,211     Ch$ 112,406     Ch$ 119,930     Ch$ 136,343     Ch$ 215,994  
    


 


 


 


 


Total allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

     2.52 %     3.00 %     3.02 %     3.43 %     3.51 %

 

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Table of Contents

Analysis of Substandard Loans and Amounts Past Due

 

The following table analyzes our substandard loans (i.e., all of the loans included in categories B-, C and D) and past due loans and the allowance for loan losses existing at the dates indicated. We have no restructured loans (troubled debt restructurings as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 15) that are not included in the following tables.

 

     As of December 31,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Total loans

   Ch$ 3,776,941     Ch$ 3,743,790     Ch$ 3,968,979     Ch$ 3,974,585     Ch$ 6,161,513  

Substandard loans B-, C and D

   Ch$ 137,733     Ch$ 215,066     Ch$ 228,339     Ch$ 249,796     Ch$ 412,027  
       3.65 %     5.74 %     5.75 %     6.28 %     6.69 %

Amounts past due(1)

                                        

To the extent secured(2)

   Ch$ 19,354     Ch$ 27,768     Ch$ 40,259     Ch$ 32,884     Ch$ 92,501  

To the extent unsecured

     10,640       13,852       13,652       16,052       52,436  
    


 


 


 


 


Total amount past due

   Ch$ 29,994     Ch$ 41,620     Ch$ 53,911     Ch$ 48,936     Ch$ 144,937  
    


 


 


 


 


Amounts past due as a percentage of total loans

     0.79 %     1.11 %     1.36 %     1.23 %     2.35 %

To the extent secured(2)

     0.51       0.74       1.01       0.83       1.50  

To the extent unsecured

     0.28       0.37       0.35       0.40       0.85  

Allowance for loans losses as a percentage of:

                                        

Total loans

     2.52       3.00       3.02       3.43       3.51  

Total loans excluding contingent loans

     2.75       3.24       3.24       3.71       3.74  

Total amounts past due

     317.43       270.08       222.46       278.61       149.03  

Total amounts past due—unsecured

     894.84 %     811.48 %     878.48 %     849.38 %     411.92 %

(1)   In accordance with Chilean regulations, past due loans are loans that are 90 days or more overdue on any payments of principal or interest.
(2)   Security generally consists of mortgages on real estate, pledges of marketable securities, letters of credit or cash.

 

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Table of Contents

Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The following table analyzes our allowance for loan losses and changes in the allowance attributable to charge-offs, new allowances, allowances released and the effect of price-level restatement on allowance for loan losses:

 

     December 31,

 
     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period

   Ch$ 83,323     Ch$ 95,211     Ch$ 112,406     Ch$ 119,930     Ch$ 136,343  

Banco de A. Edwards balances as of January 1, 2002

     —         —         —         —         96,404  

Charge-offs

     (25,208 )     (33,323 )     (28,421 )     (27,857 )     (110,962 )

Allowance established

     39,893       54,691       41,862       48,434       125,127  

Allowance released(1)

     (1,449 )     (2,170 )     (1,194 )     (1,170 )     (24,483 )

Price-level restatement(2)

     (1,348 )     (2,003 )     (4,723 )     (2,994 )     (6,435 )
    


 


 


 


 


Allowance for loan losses at end of period

   Ch$ 95,211     Ch$ 112,406     Ch$ 119,930     Ch$ 136,343     Ch$ 215,994  
    


 


 


 


 


Ratio of charge-offs to average loans

     0.67 %     0.89 %     0.74 %     0.68 %     1.81 %

Allowance for loan losses at end of period as a percentage of total loans

     2.52 %     3.00 %     3.02 %     3.43 %     3.51 %

(1)   Represents the aggregate amount of allowance for loan losses released during the year as a result of charge-offs, recoveries or a determination by management that the level of risk existing in the loan portfolio has been reduced.
(2)   Reflects the effect of inflation on the allowances for loan losses at the beginning of each period, adjusted to constant pesos as of December 31, 2002.

 

Allowances increased between 1998 and 2002 largely due to the Chilean recession in 1999, which caused a deterioration in our debt portfolio and an increase in our risk index during 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Based on the information we have available about our debtors, we believe that our allowances for loan losses are sufficient to cover known potential losses and losses inherent in a loan portfolio of this size and nature.

 

Our policy with respect to charge-offs follows the regulations established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Under these regulations, a consumer loan must be written off not more than six months after the loan is overdue and other unsecured loans, or parts thereof, must be written off not more than 24 months after being classified as past due. Secured loans must be written off within 36 months after being classified as past due.

 

The following table presents detailed information on write-offs and shows the charge-offs breakdown by loan category:

 

     Year ended December 31,

     1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Consumer loans

   Ch$ 12,673          Ch$ 14,598          Ch$ 11,692          Ch$ 9,057          Ch$ 23,065

Residential mortgage loans

     220       1,678       1,480       3,139       6,307

Commercial loans

     7,900       12,577       9,221       11,656       77,689

Leasing contracts

     2,045       4,236       6,022       3,707       3,901

Foreign loans

     2,370       234       6       298       —  
    


 


 


 


 

Total

   Ch$ 25,208     Ch$ 33,323     Ch$ 28,421     Ch$ 27,857     Ch$ 110,962
    


 


 


 


 

 

74


Table of Contents

Loan recoveries by type of loan are shown in the table below:

 

     Year ended December 31,

     1998

   1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Consumer loans

   Ch$ 4,484    Ch$ 3,952    Ch$ 4,336    Ch$ 4,702    Ch$ 3,189

Residential mortgage loans

     6      198      58      111      418

Commercial loans

     2,526      3,542      2,595      3,020      6,639

Leasing contracts

     648      402      451      1,084      950
    

  

  

  

  

Subtotal

   Ch$ 7,664    Ch$ 8,094    Ch$ 7,440    Ch$ 8,917    Ch$ 11,196

Recoveries and sales of loans reacquired from the Central Bank

     6,238      1,340      1,916      1,018      718
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   Ch$ 13,902    Ch$ 9,434    Ch$ 9,356    Ch$ 9,935    Ch$ 11,914
    

  

  

  

  

 

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The following tables set forth, as of December 31 of each of the last five years, the proportions of our required minimum allowance for loan losses attributable to our commercial, consumer and residential mortgage loans, and the amount of voluntary allowances (which are not allocated to any particular category) at each such date.

 

     1998

    1999

 
     Allowance
amount(1)


  

Allowance

amount as a

percentage of

loans in

category


   

Allowance

amount as a

percentage of

total loans


   

Loans in
category as
percentage of

total loans(2)


    Allowance
amount(1)


  

Allowance

amount as a

percentage of

loans in
category


   

Allowance

amount as a

percentage of

total loans


    Loans in
category as
percentage
of total
loans(2)


 

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 44,958    1.41 %   1.19 %   84.31 %   Ch$ 58,187    1.89 %   1.56 %   82.42 %

Consumer loans

     10,155    5.02     0.27     5.36       9,508    4.91     0.25     5.17  

Residential mortgage loans

     662    0.17     0.02     10.33       1,068    0.23     0.03     12.41  
    

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

Total allocated allowance

   Ch$ 55,775    1.48 %   1.48 %   100.00 %   Ch$ 68,763    1.84 %   1.84 %   100.00 %

Leasing contracts

     5,697    0.15     0.15             8,150    0.22     0.22        

Foreign loans

     2,445    0.06     0.06             3,120    0.08     0.08        

Voluntary allowance

     31,294    0.83     0.83             32,373    0.86     0.86        
    

  

 

       

  

 

     

Total allowance

   Ch$ 95,211    2.52 %   2.52 %         Ch$ 112,406    3.00 %   3.00 %      
    

  

 

       

  

 

     

 

     2000

    2001

 
     Allowance
amount(1)


  

Allowance

amount as a

percentage of

loans in

category


   

Allowance

amount as a

percentage

of total loans


   

Loans in

category as

percentage of

total loans(2)


    Allowance
amount(1)


  

Allowance

amount as a

percentage of

loans in

category


   

Allowance

amount as a

percentage of

total loans


    Loans in
category as
percentage
of total
loans(2)


 

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 61,543    1.90 %   1.56 %   81.72 %   Ch$ 75,174    2.36 %   1.89 %   80.20 %

Consumer loans

     8,850    4.34     0.22     5.14       10,673    4.91     0.27     5.47  

Residential mortgage loans

     1,669    0.32     0.04     13.14       1,822    0.32     0.05     14.33  
    

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

Total allocated allowance

   Ch$ 72,062    1.82 %   1.82 %   100.00 %   Ch$ 87,669    2.21 %   2.21 %   100.00 %

Leasing contracts

     7,320    0.18     0.18             9,865    0.25     0.25        

Foreign loans

     3,735    0.09     0.09             4,273    0.11     0.11        

Voluntary allowance

     36,813    0.93     0.93             34,536    0.86     0.86        
    

  

 

       

  

 

     

Total allowance

   Ch$ 119,930    3.02 %   3.02 %         Ch$ 136,343    3.43 %   3.43 %      
    

  

 

       

  

 

     

 

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Table of Contents
     2002

 
     Allowance
amount(1)


  

Allowance

amount as a

percentage of

loans in

category


   

Allowance
amount as a
percentage of

total loans


    Loans in
category as
percentage
of total
loans(2)


 

Commercial loans

   Ch$ 147,155    3.01 %   2.41 %   79.30 %

Consumer loans

     19,915    4.77     0.32     6.77  

Residential mortgage loans

     5,761    0.67     0.09     13.93  
    

  

 

 

Total allocated allowance

   Ch$ 172,831    2.82 %   2.82 %   100.00 %

Leasing contracts

     10,611    0.17     0.17        

Foreign loans

     11,995    0.19     0.19        

Voluntary allowance

     20,557    0.33     0.33        
    

  

 

     

Total allowance

   Ch$ 215,994    3.51 %   3.51 %      
    

  

 

     

(1)   In millions of constant pesos as of December 31, 2002.
(2)   Based on our loan classification.

 

The following table sets forth our charge-offs for 2000, 2001 and 2002 by major economic sector and provides further detail of charge-offs that have already been described in the previous discussion of allowance for loan losses:

 

     Year ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Commercial:

                    

Agriculture

   Ch$ 629    Ch$ 658    Ch$ 3,547

Mining

     16      21      15,843

Manufacturing

     2,202      2,088      9,770

Construction

     806      62      15,392

Commerce

     3,442      4,970      13,938

Transport

     394      595      1,368

Financial services

     1,018      1,680      14,846

Community

     714      1,582      2,985
    

  

  

Subtotal:

   Ch$ 9,221    Ch$ 11,656    Ch$ 77,689

Consumer loans

     11,692      9,057      23,065

Residential mortgage loans

     1,480      3,139      6,307

Leasing contracts

     6,022      3,707      3,901

Foreign Loans

     6      298      —  
    

  

  

Total

   Ch$ 28,421    Ch$ 27,857    Ch$ 110,962
    

  

  

 

Composition of Deposits and Other Commitments

 

The following table sets forth the composition of our deposits and similar commitments at December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     December 31,

     2000

    2001

    2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Current accounts

   Ch$ 640,758        Ch$ 675,465        Ch$ 1,072,183

Other demand liabilities

     305,596       279,869       404,560

Savings accounts

     88,841       99,121       173,751

Time deposits

     2,518,553       2,624,605       3,323,700

Other commitments(1)

     83,785       123,772       164,072
    


 


 

Total

   Ch$ 3,637,533     Ch$ 3,802,832     Ch$ 5,138,266
    


 


 


(1)   Includes preliminary leasing accounts payable relating to purchase of equipment.

 

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Maturity of Deposits

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the currency and maturity of our deposits at December 31, 2002, expressed in percentages. UF-denominated deposits are similar to Chilean peso-denominated deposits in all respects, except that the principal is readjusted periodically based on variations in the Chilean Consumer Price Index.

 

     Ch$

    UF

    Foreign
Currency


    Total

 

Demand deposits

   42.08 %               1.22 %               29.61 %               31.93 %

Savings accounts

   —       19.53     —       3.38  

Time deposits:

                        

Maturing within three months

   45.83     30.99     67.10     48.50  

Maturing after three but within six months

   3.98     24.12     1.91     6.96  

Maturing after six but within 12 months

   7.02     8.96     1.30     5.95  

Maturing after 12 months

   1.09     15.18     0.08     3.28  
    

 

 

 

Total time deposits

   57.92     79.25     70.39     64.69  
    

 

 

 

Total deposits

   100.00 %   100.00 %   100.00 %   100.00 %
    

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the currency and maturity of deposits in excess of U.S.$100,000 at December 31, 2002:

 

     Ch$

   UF

   Foreign
Currency


   Total

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Time deposits:

                           

Maturing within three months

   Ch$ 878,699    Ch$ 147,143    Ch$ 541,358    Ch$ 1,567,200

Maturing after three but within six months

     85,633      72,260      20,033      177,926

Maturing after six but within 12 months

     205,707      210,486      14,304      430,497

Maturing after 12 months

     31,472      121,012      1,007      153,491
    

  

  

  

Total time deposits

   Ch$ 1,201,511    Ch$ 550,901    Ch$ 576,702    Ch$ 2,329,114
    

  

  

  

 

Minimum Capital Requirements

 

The following table sets forth our minimum capital requirements set by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks as of the dates indicated:

 

    As of December 31,

 
    2000

    2001

    2002

 
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)  

Banco de Chile’s regulatory capital

  Ch$ 319,130        Ch$ 320,640        Ch$ 565,595  

Minimum regulatory capital required

    (156,544 )     (162,213 )     (259,031 )
   


 


 


Excess over minimum regulatory capital required

  Ch$ 162,586     Ch$ 158,427     Ch$ 306,564  
   


 


 


 

Short-term Borrowings

 

Our short-term borrowings (other than deposits) totaled Ch$188,854 million as of December 31, 2000, Ch$250,319 million as of December 31, 2001 and Ch$536,520 million as of December 31, 2002.

 

The principal categories of our short-term borrowings are amounts borrowed under foreign trade lines of credit, domestic interbank loans and repurchase agreements. The table below presents the amounts outstanding at the end of each period indicated and the weighted average nominal interest rate for each period by type of short-term borrowing:

 

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     For the year ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     Year-End
Balance


  

Weighted

Average

Nominal

Interest Rate


   

Year-End

Balance


  

Weighted

Average

Nominal

Interest Rate


   

Year-End

Balance


  

Weighted

Average

Nominal

Interest Rate


 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for rate data)  

Investments under agreements to repurchase

   Ch$ 142,039    7.27 %   Ch$ 163,124    4.72 %   Ch$ 276,675    2.26 %

Central Bank borrowings

     —      —         33,709    6.36       —      —    

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     17,393    6.47       25,696    7.12       50,362    2.96  

Foreign borrowings

     14,510    6.51       10,777    2.21       178,574    1.68  

Other obligations

     14,912    —         17,013    —         30,909    —    
    

        

        

      

Total short-term borrowings

   Ch$ 188,854    6.56 %   Ch$ 250,319    4.76 %   Ch$ 536,520    2.00 %
    

        

        

      

 

The following table shows the average balance and the weighted average nominal rate for each short-term borrowing category during the periods indicated:

 

     For the year ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     Average
Balance


  

Weighted

Average

Nominal

Interest Rate


    Average
Balance


   Weighted
Average
Nominal
Interest Rate


    Average
Balance


   Weighted
Average
Nominal
Interest Rate


 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for rate data)  

Investments under agreements to repurchase

   Ch$ 167,315    8.48 %   Ch$ 174,771    6.26 %   Ch$ 368,771    2.84 %

Central Bank borrowings

     1,794    8.51       31,301    5.51       9,766    3.61  

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     32,516    7.03       7,334    8.26       56,479    2.99  
    

        

        

      

Sub-total

   Ch$ 201,625    8.25     Ch$ 213,406    6.22     Ch$ 435,016    2.87  

Foreign borrowings

     8,320    6.03       4,242    2.93       96,886    1.86  
    

        

        

      

Total short-term borrowings

   Ch$ 209,945    8.16 %   Ch$ 217,648    6.16 %   Ch$ 531,902    2.69 %
    

        

        

      

 

The following table presents the maximum month-end balances of our principal sources of short-term borrowings during the periods indicated:

 

    

Maximum 2000

month-end balance


  

Maximum 2001

month-end balance


  

Maximum 2002

month-end balance


     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Investments under agreements to repurchase

   Ch$ 200,161    Ch$ 216,150    Ch$ 445,062

Central Bank borrowings

     19,438      61,338      9,902

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     72,757      45,504      136,612

Foreign borrowings

   Ch$ 28,867    Ch$ 49,825    Ch$ 209,492

 

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Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

 

Introduction

 

The following discussion should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and the section entitled “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information.” Certain amounts (including percentage amounts) that appear in this annual report may not total due to rounding.

 

We prepare our audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with Chilean GAAP (including the rules of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks relating thereto), which differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements provides a description of the material differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to us and includes a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2001 and 2002.

 

Pursuant to Chilean GAAP, the financial data presented in this section for all full-year periods are restated in constant pesos of December 31, 2002. See “Presentation of Financial Information” and note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

As described below, changes in interest rates and in the rates of inflation as well as economic and political factors affecting Chile have a substantial impact on our financial performance. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information” for a description of risk characteristics associated with each type of loan in our loan portfolio.

 

Impact of Economic Conditions in Chile

 

The Chilean economy grew every year between 1984 and 1998, expanding at a real average annual rate of approximately 7.3% from 1990 through 1998. Despite its growth, it has remained smaller than the economies of other Latin American countries. In 1999, the Chilean economy contracted at a real rate of 0.8%, compared to growth of 3.2% in 1998. The unemployment rate during the fourth quarter of 1999 reached 8.9%. In 2000 and 2001, the Chilean economy recovered somewhat, as the gross domestic product grew 4.2% in 2000 and 3.1% in 2001. Nevertheless, unemployment remained high, reaching 7.9% as of the fourth quarter of 2001. During 2002, the Chilean economy exhibited a lower growth rate than was recorded in the previous two years, reaching a moderate growth of 2.1%, while unemployment declined slightly to 7.8% as of the fourth quarter of 2002. There can be no assurance that future negative developments in the Chilean economy will not impair our ability to proceed with our strategic plan or our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our financial condition and results of operations could also be adversely affected by changes in economic or other policies of the Chilean government (which has exercised and continues to exercise a substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector) or other political or economic developments in Chile, as well as regulatory changes or administrative practices of Chilean authorities, over which we have no control. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Chile—Our growth and profitability depends on the level of economic activity in Chile and elsewhere” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Chile—Inflation could adversely affect the value of our ADSs and financial condition and results of operations.”

 

Central Bank Subordinated Debt

 

During the 1982-1983 economic crisis, the Chilean banking system experienced significant instability due to, among other things, a recession in most of the world’s major economies accompanied by high international interest rates, an overvalued peso, a lack of stringent banking regulation and ineffective credit policies at most Chilean banking organizations. The financial crisis required that the Central Bank and the Chilean government provide assistance to most Chilean private sector banks, including us.

 

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Subsequent to the 1982-1983 economic crisis, most major Chilean banks, including us, sold certain of their non-performing loans to the Central Bank at face value on terms that included a repurchase obligation by such banks. This repurchase obligation was later exchanged for subordinated debt of the banks issued in favor of the Central Bank. Pursuant to Law No. 18,818 of 1989, banks were permitted to repurchase the portfolio of non-performing loans previously sold to the Central Bank for a price equal to the economic value of such loans, provided that the bank assumed a subordinated obligation equal to the difference between the face value of the loans and the economic value paid. In November 1989, we repurchased our portfolio of non-performing loans from the Central Bank and assumed the Central Bank’s subordinated debt relating to our non-performing loans. The repayment terms of the Central Bank subordinated debt required that a percentage of our income before provisions for Central Bank subordinated debt, as determined by the Central Bank upon each issuance of additional capital, be applied to repay this obligation. The original principal amount of the Central Bank subordinated debt was approximately four times our equity. In 1993 we applied 72.9% of our income before provisions for the Central Bank subordinated debt to the repayment of this debt. In 1994 we applied 67.6% and in 1995 we applied 65.8% of our income before provisions for the Central Bank subordinated debt to the repayment of this debt.

 

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

 

In exchange for assuming the Central Bank indebtedness, SAOS received from SM-Chile 63.6% of our shares as collateral for this indebtedness. As a result of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards, the percentage of our shares held by SAOS has decreased to 42%. Dividends received from us are the sole source of SAOS’s revenue, which it must apply to repay this indebtedness. However, under SAOS’s agreement with the Central Bank regarding this indebtedness, we have no obligation to distribute dividends to our shareholders. To the extent distributed dividends are not sufficient to pay the amount due on this indebtedness, SAOS is permitted to maintain a cumulative deficit balance with the Central Bank that SAOS commits to pay with future dividends. If the cumulative deficit balance exceeds an amount equal to 20% of our capital and reserves, the Central Bank may require SAOS to sell a sufficient number of shares of our stock owned by SAOS to pay the entire deficit amount accumulated. As of April 30, 2003, SAOS maintained a deficit balance with the Central Bank of Ch$37,550 million, equivalent to 6.6% of our capital and reserves. If from time to time in the future our shareholders decide to retain and capitalize all or part of our annual net income in order to finance our future growth, and to distribute stock dividends, the Central Bank may require us to pay the portion of the net income corresponding to shares owned by SAOS in cash to SAOS. If we distribute stock dividends and the Central Bank does not require us to pay that portion in cash, the shares received by SAOS must be sold by SAOS within the following 12 months. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank.” Any distribution of dividends by us to SAOS would be made pro rata to SAOS and all of our other shareholders according to their percentage interest in our company.

 

Inflation

 

Chile has experienced high levels of inflation in the past, which significantly affected our financial condition and results of operations. However, the rate of inflation in Chile has declined in recent years and was 4.5% in 2000, 2.6% in 2001 and 2.8% in 2002. Our results of operations reflect the effect of inflation in the following ways:

 

    a substantial portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in UFs, a unit of account the value of which in pesos is indexed daily to reflect inflation recorded in the previous month, with the net gain or loss resulting from such indexation reflected in income;

 

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    our assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity are restated monthly to adjust for inflation, with the net gain or loss resulting from the adjustment reflected in income; and

 

    the rates of interest earned and paid on peso-denominated assets and liabilities to some degree reflect inflation and expectations regarding inflation.

 

The financial data included in this annual report as of the end of any year or for any year in the five-year period ended December 31, 2002, including the audited consolidated financial statements and the statistical information set forth under “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information,” are stated in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002, thereby minimizing the distorting effect of inflation on period to period comparisons.

 

UF-denominated Assets and Liabilities. The UF is revalued in monthly cycles. On every day in the period beginning the tenth day of the current month through the ninth day of the succeeding month, the nominal peso value of the UF is indexed up (or down in the event of deflation) in order to reflect each day a pro rata amount of the prior calendar month’s change in the Consumer Price Index. One UF was equal to Ch$15,769.92 at December 31, 2000, Ch$16,262.66 at December 31, 2001 and Ch$16,744.12 at December 31, 2002. The effect of any changes in the nominal peso value of our UF-denominated assets and liabilities is reflected in our results of operations as an increase (or decrease, in the event of deflation) in interest revenue and expense. Our net interest revenue will be positively affected by inflation (and negatively affected by deflation) to the extent that our average UF-denominated assets exceed our average UF-denominated liabilities, while net interest revenue will be negatively affected by inflation (and positively affected by deflation) when average UF-denominated liabilities exceed average UF-denominated assets. Our average UF-denominated assets exceeded our average UF-denominated liabilities by Ch$801,296 million during the year ended December 31, 2000, Ch$838,466 million during the year ended December 31, 2001 and Ch$1,633,554 million during the year ended December 31, 2002. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information.”

 

Peso-denominated Assets and Liabilities. Rates of interest prevailing in Chile during any period reflect in significant part the rate of inflation during the period and expectations regarding future inflation. The responsiveness to such prevailing rates of our peso-denominated interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities varies. See “—Interest Rates.” We maintain a substantial amount of non-interest bearing peso-denominated demand deposits. The ratio of such deposits to average interest bearing peso-denominated liabilities was 78% during 2000, 79% during 2001 and 57% during 2002. Because a large part of such deposits are not sensitive to inflation, any decline in the rate of inflation adversely affects our net interest margin on assets funded with such deposits and any increase in the rate of inflation increases the net interest margin on such assets.

 

Price-Level Restatements. Chilean GAAP requires that the effect of inflation on a bank’s net monetary asset position (monetary assets less monetary liabilities) be reflected in its results of operations as a gain (or loss) from price-level restatement. A bank’s net monetary asset position can be determined by subtracting its net nonmonetary asset position (nonmonetary assets less nonmonetary liabilities) from shareholders’ equity. As such, under Chilean GAAP, the gain (or loss) from price-level restatement in results of operations is determined by subtracting the price-level restatement adjustment of net nonmonetary assets from the price-level restatement adjustment of shareholders’ equity. The inflation rate used for purposes of such adjustments is the change in the Consumer Price Index during the 12 months ended November 30 of the reported year. The change in the Consumer Price Index used for price-level restatement purposes was 4.7% in 2000, 3.1% in 2001 and 3.0% in 2002. See note 1(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements. The actual change in the Consumer Price Index was 4.5% in the year ended December 31, 2000, 2.6% in the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2.8% in the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

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Interest Rates

 

Interest rates earned and paid on our assets and liabilities to some degree reflect inflation and expectations regarding future inflation as well as shifts in short-term interest rates related to the Central Bank’s monetary policies. The Central Bank manages short-term interest rates based on its objectives of achieving low inflation and stable exchange rates. Because our liabilities generally re-price faster than our assets, changes in the rate of inflation or short-term interest rates are reflected in the rates of interest we pay on our liabilities before they are reflected in the rates of interest we earn on our assets. Accordingly, our net interest margin on assets and liabilities usually is adversely affected in the short-term by increases in inflation or short-term interest rates and benefits in the short-term from decreases in inflation or short-term interest rates, although the existence of non-interest bearing peso-denominated demand deposits tends to mitigate both effects. See “—Inflation—Peso-denominated Assets and Liabilities.” In addition, because our peso-denominated liabilities have relatively short re-pricing periods, those liabilities generally are more responsive to changes in inflation or short-term interest rates than our UF-denominated liabilities.

 

The average annual short-term interest rate based on the rate paid by Chilean financial institutions for 90 to 360 day deposits was 5.17% in 2000, 3.74% in 2001 and 1.94% in 2002. The average long-term interest rate based on the Chilean Central Bank’s eight-year bonds was 6.37% in 2000, 5.09% in 2001 and 4.08% in 2002.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

 

A significant portion of our assets and liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies, principally U.S. dollars, and we historically have maintained and may continue to maintain gaps between the balances of such assets and liabilities. The gap between foreign currency-denominated assets and foreign currency-denominated liabilities was Ch$18,036 million at December 31, 2000, Ch$70,576 million at December 31, 2001 and Ch$72,829 million at December 31, 2002. See note 20 to our audited consolidated financial statements. This gap includes assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and assets and liabilities denominated in Chilean pesos that contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Because foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities, as well as interest earned or paid on such assets and liabilities and gains (losses) realized upon the sale of such assets, are translated into pesos in preparing our audited consolidated financial statements, our reported income is affected by changes in the value of the peso with respect to foreign currencies (principally the U.S. dollar). For their part, adjustments to U.S. dollar-indexed assets are reflected as adjustments in net interest earnings and offset results in the foreign exchange position. The exchange rate variation over capital and reserves of our foreign branches is adjusted against equity and not against net income.

 

Mortgage Finance Bonds Issued and Held by Banco de Chile

 

We generally fund our residential mortgage loans through the issuance of UF-denominated notes, or mortgage finance bonds, which are recourse obligations with payment terms matched to the related mortgage loans, bearing interest at a spread below the interest rate applicable to such mortgage loans. However, if we were ever liquidated, holders of mortgage finance bonds would be secured by a pool of mortgages. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank—Principal Business Activities—Retail Banking—High- and Middle-Income Individuals—Mortgage Loans.” Mortgage finance bonds traditionally are placed with institutions, such as pension funds, mutual funds and insurance companies, seeking long-term fixed-income investments.

 

However, we also purchase, for our own account, mortgage finance bonds that we issue and hold for future sale. Unlike U.S. GAAP, under which mortgage finance bonds we issue and hold for future sale are offset against the related liability, under Chilean GAAP, for periods prior to 2002, mortgage finance bonds and the related liability appeared on our consolidated balance sheet separately as “financial investments, other financial investments” and “other interest bearing liabilities, mortgage finance bonds,” respectively. During

 

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2002, we modified the accounting treatment of financial investments in mortgage finance bonds that we issue in accordance with new instructions of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, mandating that the reporting requirements under Chilean GAAP be equivalent to the requirements of U.S. GAAP. For periods prior to 2002, and because the interest “earned” and “paid” on these mortgage finance bonds is the same and hence has no impact on net interest revenue, the effect of not excluding these bonds from average interest earning assets was to reduce our net interest margin (net interest revenue divided by average interest earning assets) from what it would have been under U.S. GAAP. Similarly, any other income analysis or financial ratios based on the size of our consolidated balance sheet on either the asset or liability side was different from how it would have been had the consolidated balance sheet been prepared according to U.S. GAAP. At December 31, 2002, we had issued and outstanding Ch$1,084,041 million of mortgage finance bonds. For a detailed description of the accounting matters related to investments in mortgage finance bonds that we issue see notes 2 and 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements and “—Changes In Accounting Principles.”

 

According to the General Banking Law, if a bank faces insolvency and a reorganization plan is proposed, the bank must transfer its mortgage loan portfolio to the highest bidder as long as such bid is equal to or higher than the amount due to the bank’s other creditors pursuant to the reorganization plan. The successful bidder pays a portion of the amount due on the mortgage finance bonds equal to the amount paid for the bonds. If the auction does not succeed, the holders of the mortgage finance bonds are subject to the provisions of the reorganization plan. In the event of mandatory liquidation of a bank, the same rules apply, provided that in order for an offer to be accepted it must be equal to or higher than 90% of the face value of the mortgage finance bonds, unless the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding mortgage finance bonds approve the offer in a meeting especially called for this purpose by the liquidator.

 

Contingent Loans

 

Contingent loans consist of unfunded letters of credit, guarantees, performance bonds and other unfunded commitments. Chilean banks charge their customers a fee on contingent loans as well as interest for the periods of the contingent debt. Fees are considered fee income, and interest is recorded as interest revenue. Accordingly, we treat contingent loans as interest earning assets. As a result of this treatment, the comparatively low rates of interest earned on these assets have a distorting effect on the average interest rate earned on total interest earning assets. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Average Balance Sheets, Interest Earned on Interest Earning Assets and Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities.”

 

In addition, under Chilean GAAP, rights and obligations with respect to contingent loans are treated as contingent assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. This practice differs from U.S. GAAP, under which such contingent amounts are not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets but are disclosed off-balance sheet in memorandum accounts. Accordingly, to the extent we maintain contingent loans and contingent liabilities, our consolidated balance sheets will appear different from how they would have appeared had they been prepared under U.S. GAAP. See note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

At December 31, 2002, we had Ch$381,767 million of contingent loans and Ch$380,992 million of contingent liabilities outstanding.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with Chilean GAAP and the specific accounting rules of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. The notes to our audited consolidated financial statements contain a summary of the accounting policies that are significant to us, as well as a description of the significant differences between these policies and U.S. GAAP. The notes include additional disclosures required under U.S. GAAP, a reconciliation between shareholders’ equity and net income to the corresponding

 

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amounts that would be reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP and a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

Both Chilean and U.S. GAAP require management to make certain estimates and assumptions, as some of the amounts reported in the financial statements are related to matters that are inherently uncertain. We believe that the following discussion describes those areas that require the most judgment or involve a higher degree of complexity in the application of the accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Allowances for loan losses

 

Chilean banks are required to maintain loan loss allowances in amounts determined in accordance with the regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. Under these regulations, we must classify our portfolio into five categories based on payment capability. The minimum amount of required loan loss allowances are determined based on fixed percentages of estimated loan losses assigned to each category. Additionally, Chilean banks may also maintain voluntary allowances in excess of the minimum required amount in order to provide additional coverage for potential loan losses.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, allowances for loan losses are made to account for estimated losses in outstanding loans for which there is doubt about the borrower’s capacity to repay the principal.

 

The classification of our loan portfolio for Chilean GAAP purposes and allowances for loan losses under U.S. GAAP are determined through a combination of specific reviews, statistical modeling and estimates. Certain aspects require judgments, such as the identification of deteriorating loans, the probability of default, the expected loss, the value of collateral and current economic conditions. Even though we consider our allowances for loan losses to be adequate, the use of different estimates and assumptions could produce different allowances for loan losses, and amendments to the allowances may be required in the future as a consequence of changes in the value of collateral, the amounts of cash to be received or other economic events.

 

A detailed description of this accounting policy is discussed in “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Allowance for Loan Losses” and in note 1 and 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Investment securities

 

Under both Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP financial instruments are stated at fair value, except for those classified as “held-to-maturity” under U.S. GAAP, which are carried at amortized cost. Fair values are based on quoted market prices or, if not available, on internally developed pricing models fed by independently obtained market information. However, market information is often limited or in some instances not available. In such circumstances management applies its professional judgment. Other factors that could also affect estimates are incorrect model assumptions, market dislocations and unexpected correlations. Notwithstanding the level of subjectivity inherent in determining fair value, we believe our estimates of fair value are adequate. The use of different models or assumptions could lead to changes in our reported results.

 

Price-level restatement

 

Chilean GAAP requires that financial statements be restated to reflect the full effects of loss in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso on the financial position and results of operations of reporting entities. The method prescribes that the historical cost of all non-monetary accounts be restated for general price-level changes between the date of origin of each item and the year-end.

 

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Our audited consolidated financial statements have been price-level restated in order to reflect the effects of the changes in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso during each year. All non-monetary assets and liabilities and all equity accounts have been restated to reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index from the date they were acquired or incurred to year-end. Consistent with general banking practices in Chile, no specific purchasing power adjustments of income statement amounts are made. The purchasing power gain or loss included in net income reflects the effects of Chilean inflation on the monetary assets and liabilities held by us.

 

For comparative purposes, the historical December 31, 2000 and 2001 audited consolidated financial statements and their accompanying notes have been presented in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002. As described in paragraph 1(p) of our audited consolidated financial statements, certain balances of previous years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the present year presentation.

 

The price-level adjusted audited consolidated financial statements do not purport to represent appraised values, replacement cost, or any other current value of assets at which transactions would take place currently and are only intended to restate all nonmonetary consolidated financial statement components in terms of local currency of a single purchasing power and to include in the net result for each year the gain or loss in purchasing power arising from the holding of monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation. See the discussion of price-level restatement in note 1(b) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Goodwill

 

Under U.S. GAAP, we have significant intangible assets related to goodwill. We record all assets and liabilities acquired in purchase acquisitions, including goodwill and other acquired intangibles, at fair value as required by SFAS 141. These include amounts pushed down from Quiñenco. Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are no longer amortized over their estimated useful lives using straight-line and accelerated methods, and are subject to impairment if events or circumstances indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount. The initial goodwill and intangibles recorded and subsequent impairment analysis requires management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates of how the acquired asset will perform in the future using a discounted cash flow analysis. Additionally, estimated cash flows may extend beyond ten years and, by their nature, are difficult to determine. Events and factors that may significantly affect the estimates include, among others, competitive forces, customer behavior and attrition, changes in revenue growth trends, cost structures and technology and changes in interest rates and specific industry or market sector conditions. Impairment is recognized earlier whenever warranted. For a further discussion of accounting practices for goodwill under U.S. GAAP, see note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Changes in Accounting Principles

 

Until October 31, 2002, other financial investments included mortgage finance bonds issued by us and held for future sale. Effective October 31, 2002, we modified our accounting treatment of financial investments in mortgage finance bonds issued by us in accordance with instructions from the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, eliminating from assets the amount recoded for mortgage finance bonds issued by us, including a market value adjustment, and reducing from liabilities, the respective mortgage finance bond obligations. See note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

 

Chilean GAAP varies in certain important respects from U.S. GAAP, including some of the methods that are used to measure the amounts shown in the audited consolidated financial statements, additional disclosures required by U.S. GAAP and the accounting treatment of the merger. Those differences, as well as other significant differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP, are described in greater detail in note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002

 

The following section discusses the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002. To the extent that it is available and is useful in analyzing our results, we have included information based on the business areas that we use for internal reporting. We also present our results on a consolidated basis.

 

We use a business area-based profitability system to manage our business. This system allows us to extract income and expense information by client and also allows us to view information by office or branch and by business area. The profitability system uses the accounting balances and the interest rates as agreed upon with the client. In order to assess the income per transaction, the system compares the interest rate agreed upon with the client with our own cost of funds. We use internal cost of funds tables for various transactions. The tables for each type of transaction are updated daily, and an operating cost per client is extracted. General costs are allocated to the business areas, such as technical support and communication. The system has been developed in recent years, with some changes in cost allocations taking place. Consequently, there have been variances between each year particularly in connection with our merger with Banco de A. Edwards. Our business areas are organized as follows:

 

    large corporations;

 

    middle market companies;

 

    international banking;

 

    retail banking;

 

    treasury and money market operations; and

 

    operations through subsidiaries.

 

The accounting policies used for the business areas are those used for our consolidated management reports. Corporate and personal customers are assigned to account executives. Each executive works exclusively within one business area. Some costs are allocated to the business areas and others are split between two or more business areas based on a single transaction. Thereafter, any unallocated costs are included as “other” in order to arrive at the consolidated balance sheet and income statement.

 

The business area information is subject to general internal and external auditing procedures to ensure the integrity of the information before it is used in the management decision making purposes. The business area information presented has also been adjusted in order to tie results to the income statement, as presented in accordance with Chilean GAAP in our audited consolidated financial statements. The most significant differences in classification are as follows:

 

    We measure the net interest margin of loans and deposits on an individual transaction and client basis, based on the difference between the effective customer rate and our related fund transfer price in terms of maturity, repricing and currency.

 

    The results associated with our gap management (mismatches) have been allocated among different business areas.

 

    Our management model used to measure the performance of our business areas considers results that are directly related to performance and not all overhead expenses of corporate and support departments, voluntary allowances, taxes and other non-operating income and expenses.

 

    In addition to direct costs (consisting mainly of labor and administrative expenses) we allocate the majority of our indirect operating costs to each business area based on the type and amount of the relevant transactions. These costs are mainly related to the use of technology and computer equipment. Other indirect costs are allocated using activity-based costing methodology.

 

    We allocate theoretical rental costs to each branch we own based on market rental values so that the results of these branches are comparable to rental-property branches.

 

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Net Income Before Tax by Business Area

 

The following table sets forth net income before tax for each business area for each of the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002. The line item “Other” includes the effect of conforming internal accounting policies to Chilean GAAP and a number of non-allocated costs, such as human resources, voluntary provisions and depreciation costs. For internal reporting purposes, we control and monitor these costs separately and do not include them in the determination of business area profitability. Also included within “Other” are specific portions of income such as rental income.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Large corporations

   Ch$ 39,752     Ch$ 17,744     Ch$ 18,924     (55.4 )%   6.7 %

Middle market companies

   48,071     46,355     38,785     (3.6 )   (16.3 )

International banking

   10,999     10,869     (6,898 )   (1.2 )   —    

Retail banking

   25,913     28,332     46,340     9.3     63.6  

Treasury and money market operations

   7,713     11,602     23,054     50.4     98.7  

Subsidiaries

   6,714     9,993     13,497     48.8     35.1  

Other

   (50,537 )   (36,704 )   (82,220 )   (27.4 )   124.0  
    

 

 

 

 

Net income before tax

   Ch$ 88,625     Ch$ 88,191     Ch$ 51,482     (0.5 )%   (41.6 )%
    

 

 

 

 

 

The significant decrease in income before taxes in 2002 relative to 2000 and 2001 was a consequence of higher amounts of provisions for loan losses and charge-offs on assets received in lieu of payment as a result of the slowdown in the Chilean economy as well as in Latin America generally.

 

Large Corporations. The 6.7% increase in income before taxes in 2002 was primarily attributable to a 47.7% increase in operating revenues as a result of the growth of the loan portfolio, which was primarily attributable to the merger. The increase was also attributable to an improvement in the large corporations business area’s efficiency ratio from 21.1% in 2001 to 16.7% in 2002. The growth in operating revenues was partially offset by increased provisions for loan losses and charge-offs on assets received in lieu of payment, which was primarily a result of the slowdown in the Chilean economy as well as in Latin America generally. Income before taxes in 2001 decreased 55.4% relative to 2000. The significant decrease was primarily the result of the significant increase in provisions for loan losses from Ch$5,825 million in 2001 to Ch$29,125 million in 2002, which was caused by adverse international and domestic economic conditions which, in turn, affected the financial condition of our large corporate customers and, to a lesser extent, by the 3.0% decrease in operating revenues.

 

Middle Market Companies. The middle market banking business area results have also been affected by the poorly performing economy. The middle market companies business area’s net income before taxes decreased 16.3% in 2002 as compared to 2001, primarily as a result of increased provisioning for loan losses, which more than offset the 28.8% increase in operating revenues associated to higher volumes as a consequence of the merger. The 3.6% decrease in net income before taxes for the middle market companies business area in 2001 compared to 2000 was primarily the result of the 12.5% decrease in operating revenues, primarily as a result of a decline in the inflation rate, which resulted in lower earnings in nominal rates on the portion of interest earning assets financed by non-interest bearing liabilities.

 

International Banking. Although our results for the international banking business area were relatively stable during 2000 and 2001, we experienced a deterioration in our results for 2002, primarily as a result of Argentina’s economic crisis. In 2002, our New York branch recognized a charge to net income of U.S.$19 million, or approximately Ch$13,600 million, as a result of the impairment of Argentine corporate bonds. The decrease in the market value of these securities reflects the uncertainty and depressed economic conditions prevailing in Argentina.

 

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Retail Banking. Income before taxes for the retail banking business area increased in 2002 by 63.6%, primarily as a result of an increase in both volumes and spreads which increased operating revenue (a 64.7% change over 2001), and to a lesser extent, to an improved efficiency ratio from 55.5% in 2001 to 46.8% in 2002. These factors more than offset the increase in provisions for loan losses. In 2001, the 9.3% increase in net income before taxes was principally related to the 3.9% increase in operating revenues due to higher volumes and fees, as operating expenses remained almost flat.

 

Treasury and Money Market Operations. The treasury and money market business area’s results continued to benefit from the decrease in interest rates in Chile, which led to higher mark to market and trading earnings in our investment portfolio. The treasury and money market business area’s results in 2002 were also positively impacted by the 16.6% increase in the average investment portfolio as a result of the merger.

 

Operations through Subsidiaries. In addition to the impact of the merger, the 35.1% increase in our operations through subsidiaries business area net income before taxes during 2002 was primarily a result of increased operating revenues associated with higher business volumes and lower operating expenses. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily a result of the improved performance of our mutual and investment fund subsidiary, our financial advisory services subsidiary and, to a lesser extent, our factoring services subsidiary. The 48.8% increase in our operations through the subsidiaries business area’s income in 2001 compared to 2000 was primarily the result of a higher volume of operations in our stock brokerage and factoring subsidiaries.

 

Net Income

 

The following table sets forth the principal components of our net income, as detailed in our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Net interest revenue

   Ch$ 217,875     Ch$ 221,304     Ch$ 367,596     1.6 %   66.1 %

Provisions for loan losses

     (40,668 )     (47,264 )     (100,644 )   16.2     112.9  

Fees and income from services, net

     46,537       52,367       86,686     12.5     65.5  

Other operating income (loss), net

     11,827       6,577       (30,025 )   (44.4 )   —    

Other income and expenses, net:

                                    

Loan loss recoveries

     9,356       9,935       11,914     6.2     19.9  

Other income and expenses, net

     1,357       1,838       (17,209 )   35.4     —    

Minority interest

     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )   —       —    

Operating expenses

     (147,953 )     (150,615 )     (257,239 )   1.8     70.8  

Net loss from price-level restatement

     (9,705 )     (5,950 )     (9,596 )   (38.7 )   61.3  
    


 


 


 

 

Net income before income taxes

     88,625       88,191       51,482     (0.5 )   (41.6 )

Income taxes

     (1,591 )     1,386       1,153     —       (16.8 )
    


 


 


 

 

Net income

   Ch$ 87,034     Ch$ 89,577     Ch$ 52,635     2.9 %   (41.2 )%
    


 


 


 

 

 

2001 and 2002. Our net income for 2002 was Ch$52,635 million, a decrease of 41.2% from Ch$89,577 million in 2001, primarily reflecting significant merger related expenses and higher provisions for loan losses and, to a lesser extent, to the recognition of mark to market losses on Argentine securities accounted for as available for sale. These factors were partially offset by higher net interest revenue and fee income.

 

2000 and 2001. Our net income for 2001 was Ch$89,577 million, an increase of 2.9% from Ch$87,034 million in 2000, primarily reflecting increased net interest revenue, increased income from fees and other services and the impact of a tax benefit. These results were partially offset by an increase in provisions for loan losses and operating expenses related to the merger.

 

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Net Interest Revenue

 

The tables included under the headings “—Interest Revenue” and “—Interest Expense” set forth information regarding our consolidated interest revenue and expenses and average interest earning assets and average interest bearing liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002. This information is derived from the tables included elsewhere in this annual report under “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information” and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such information.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Interest revenue

   Ch$ 583,855     Ch$ 531,020     Ch$ 689,713     (9.0 )%   29.9 %

Interest expense

     (365,980 )     (309,716 )     (322,117 )   (15.4 )   4.0  
    


 


 


 

 

Net interest revenue

   Ch$ 217,875     Ch$ 221,304     Ch$ 367,596     1.6 %   66.1 %
    


 


 


 

 

Net interest margin(1)

     4.27 %     3.82 %     4.47 %   —       —    

(1)   Net interest margin is net interest revenue divided by average interest earning assets. Pursuant to Chilean GAAP, net interest margin included mortgage finance bonds issued and held by us as interest earning assets in 2000 and 2001. See note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements. Under U.S. GAAP mortgage finance bonds would not be classified as interest earning assets. Instead such assets would be offset against the related liability thereby affecting our net interest margin.

 

The following table sets forth the effect on our net interest revenue of changes in the average volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and the effect of average nominal interest rates on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities during the periods indicated:

 

     Increase (Decrease)

     2000/2001

    2001/2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as
of December 31, 2002)

Due to changes in average volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities

   Ch$ 36,309     Ch$  145,384

Due to changes in average nominal interest rates of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities

     (32,880 )     908
    


 

Net change

   Ch$ 3,429     Ch$  146,292
    


 

 

2001 and 2002. Net interest revenue increased by 66.1% from Ch$221,304 million in 2001 to Ch$367,596 million in 2002 primarily as a result of the combined effects of a 41.8% increase in average interest earning assets as a result of the merger and a 65 basis point (a basis point is a value equaling one one-hundredth of a percent) increase in net interest margin, from 3.82% in 2001 to 4.47% in 2002. The increase in net interest margin (our net interest revenue divided by average interest earning assets) was primarily the result of:

 

    our efforts to improve lending spreads by increasing higher yield products such as consumer loans, lines of credit, mortgage loans financed by our general borrowing and factoring loans;

 

    the positive impact of a decrease in nominal interest rates in 2002, as our interest bearing liabilities have a shorter repricing period than our interest earning assets. In 2001, our net interest margin also benefited from a decrease in nominal interest rates;

 

    a better funding mix, reflected in the improvement of the ratio of average interest bearing liabilities to average interest earning assets from 78.2% in 2001 to 77.4% in 2002; and

 

    the positive impact of the 8.6% depreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar during 2002, as we kept a higher net asset position in assets and liabilities denominated in Chilean pesos, readjusted in accordance with changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate (this position is usually hedged with a net liability position in U.S. dollars and, consequently, increased our net interest revenue but originated accounting losses shown in the foreign exchange transaction line item in 2002).

 

2000 and 2001. Net interest revenue increased by 1.6% from Ch$217,875 million in 2000 to Ch$221,304 million in 2001 primarily as a result of a 13.7% increase in the average volume of interest earning

 

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assets, which was partially offset by a 45 basis points decrease in our net interest margin. Our net interest margin decreased from 4.27% at December 31, 2000 to 3.82% at December 31, 2001. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily a consequence of lower nominal interest rates (attributable to a decline in real interest rates and a decrease in the inflation rate from 4.5% in 2000 to 2.6% in 2001), which resulted in lower nominal rates on the portion of interest earning assets financed by non-interest bearing liabilities, as well as a change in the composition of our interest earning assets mix toward lower margin and lower risk assets, which resulted in an increase of 35.6% in the average volume of financial investments in 2001.

 

Interest Revenue

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our interest revenue and average interest earning assets for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Interest revenue(1)

   Ch$ 583,855     Ch$ 531,020     Ch$ 689,713     (9.0 )%   29.9 %
    


 


 


 

 

Average interest earning assets:

                                    

Commercial loans(2)

   Ch$  1,890,013     Ch$  2,022,361     Ch$  3,028,253     7.0     49.7  

Consumer loans

     193,497       205,548       391,765     6.2     90.6  

Mortgage loans(3)

     769,729       801,286       1,234,505     4.1     54.1  

Foreign trade loans

     413,843       438,652       625,704     6.0     42.6  

Interbank loans

     55,528       97,294       99,724     75.2     2.5  

Past due loans(4)

     47,745       52,445       145,157     9.8     176.8  

Contingent loans(5)

     272,434       293,758       372,219     7.8     26.7  

Leasing contracts

     177,205       172,254       241,136     (2.8 )   40.0  
    


 


 


 

 

Total loans

   Ch$  3,819,994     Ch$  4,083,598     Ch$  6,138,463     6.9 %   50.3 %

Financial investments(6)

     1,156,753       1,568,217       1,828,194     35.6     16.6  

Interbank deposits

     122,793       145,200       255,846     18.2     76.2  
    


 


 


 

 

Total

   Ch$  5,099,540     Ch$  5,797,015     Ch$  8,222,503     13.7 %   41.8 %
    


 


 


 

 

Average rates earned on total interest earning assets(7):

                                    

Average nominal rates

     11.45 %     9.16 %     8.39 %   —       —    

Average real rates

     8.94 %     10.18 %     7.31 %   —       —    

(1)   Interest revenue includes fees we charge in respect of contingent loans. See “—Introduction—Contingent Loans.”
(2)   Excludes leasing contracts.
(3)   Includes residential and general purpose mortgage loans.
(4)   Includes interest accrued and unpaid on principal until the date on which payment becomes overdue.
(5)   Consists of unfunded letters of credit, guarantees, performance bonds and other unfunded commitments.
(6)   “Financial investments” includes primarily bonds issued by the Central Bank and foreign governments.
(7)   See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Average Balance Sheets, Interest Earned on Interest Earning Assets and Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities.”

 

The following table sets forth the effect on our interest revenue of changes in (1) the average volume of interest earning assets and (2) the average nominal interest rates on interest earning assets, during the periods presented in the preceding table:

 

     Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as
of December 31, 2002)
 

Effect due to changes in average volume of interest earning assets

   Ch$ 75,363     Ch$  253,647  

Effect due to changes in average nominal interest rates of interest earning assets

     (128,198 )     (94,954 )
    


 


Net change

   Ch$  (52,835 )   Ch$  158,693  
    


 


 

2001 and 2002. Interest revenue increased by 29.9% from Ch$531,020 million in 2001 to Ch$689,713 million in 2002 as a result of a 41.8% increase in average interest earning assets, which was partially offset by a decrease in average nominal rates earned. Average interest earning assets increased from Ch$5,797,015 million in 2001 to Ch$8,222,503 million in 2002 primarily as a consequence of the merger, which resulted in higher balances in consumer loans commercial loans, mortgage loans, past due loans and

 

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financial investments. Average nominal interest rates earned declined from 9.16% in 2001 to 8.39% in 2002 primarily as a result of the reduction in real interest rates caused by the continued monetary relaxation policy implemented by the Chilean government in order to expand domestic demand. The reduction in real interest rates was partially offset by an increase in the inflation rate from 2.6% in 2001 to 2.8% in 2002.

 

2000 and 2001. Despite a 13.7% increase in the average volume of interest earning assets, interest revenue decreased by 9.0% from Ch$583,855 million in 2000 to Ch$531,020 million in 2001. The decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in the average nominal interest rate earned on such assets, from 11.45% in 2000 to 9.16% in 2001. We earned a lower nominal interest rate as the result of a decrease in the inflation rate (from 4.5% in 2000 to 2.6% in 2001) and in real interest rates of local currency-denominated interest earning assets due to a relaxation in monetary policy. The growth in the average interest earning assets in 2001 resulted primarily from a Ch$411,464 million increase in financial investments, and, to a lesser extent, from an increase in the amount of commercial loans, foreign trade loans and interbank loans.

 

Interest Expense

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our interest expense and average interest bearing liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Year ended December 31,

    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Interest expense

   Ch$ 365,980     Ch$ 309,716     Ch$ 322,117     (15.4 )%   4.0 %
    


 


 


 

 

Average interest bearing liabilities:

                                    

Time deposits(1)

   Ch$  2,249,844     Ch$  2,675,818     Ch$  3,540,009     18.9     32.3  

Savings accounts

     187,697       213,566       360,220     13.8     68.7  

Total Central Bank borrowings

     4,942       33,717       60,685     582.3     80.0  

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

     168,218       176,865       373,652     5.1     111.3  

Mortgage finance bonds

     796,256       837,934       1,272,915     5.2     51.9  

Other interest bearing liabilities(2)

     608,208       594,050       753,780     (2.3 )   26.9  
    


 


 


 

 

Total

   Ch$  4,015,165     Ch$  4,531,950     Ch$  6,361,261     12.9 %   40.4 %
    


 


 


 

 

Average rates paid on total interest bearing liabilities(3):

                                    

Average nominal rates

     9.11 %     6.83 %     5.06 %   —       —    

Average real rates

     6.45 %     7.48 %     4.22 %   —       —    

Average (Chilean peso-denominated) non-interest bearing demand deposits

   Ch$ 818,521     Ch$ 948,869     Ch$  1,404,903     15.9 %   48.1 %

(1)   Includes interest-earning demand deposits.
(2)   Combines interest bearing demand deposits and other interest bearing liabilities.
(3)   See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information—Average Balance Sheets, Interest Earned on Interest Earning Assets and Interest Paid on Interest Bearing Liabilities.”

 

The following table sets forth the effect on our interest expense from changes in (1) average volume of interest bearing liabilities and (2) average nominal interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, during the periods presented:

 

     Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as
of December 31, 2002)
 

Effect due to changes in average volume of interest bearing liabilities

   Ch$ 39,054     Ch$ 108,263  

Effect due to changes in average nominal interest rates of interest bearing liabilities

     (95,318 )     (95,862 )
    


 


Net change

   Ch$  (56,264 )   Ch$ 12,401  
    


 


 

2001 and 2002. Interest expense increased by 4.0% from Ch$309,716 million in 2001 to Ch$322,117 million in 2002, primarily as a result of the 40.4 % increase in average interest bearing liabilities from

 

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Ch$4,531,950 million in 2001 to Ch$6,361,261 million in 2002 (primarily in time deposits and mortgage finance bonds) as a consequence of the merger. The increase in average interest bearing liabilities was partially offset by a decrease in the average nominal interest rates paid on such liabilities, from 6.83% in 2001 to 5.06% in 2002.

 

2000 and 2001. Interest expense decreased by 15.4% to Ch$309,716 million in 2001 from Ch$365,980 million in 2000. This reduction was largely attributable to a significant decrease in average nominal interest rates paid, from 9.11% in 2000 to 6.83% in 2001, which was partially offset by the impact of a 12.9% increase in the average volume of interest bearing liabilities, from Ch$4,015,165 million in 2000 to Ch$4,531,950 million in 2001. The decrease in the average nominal interest rate paid was primarily attributable to lower inflation and lower real interest rates in local currency. The increase in average interest bearing liabilities resulted principally from increased balances of time deposits, mortgage finance bonds and savings accounts.

 

Provisions for Loan Losses

 

Chilean banks are required to maintain allowances to cover possible credit losses that at least equal their loans to customers multiplied by the greater of (1) their risk index and (2) 0.75%. The risk index is derived from management’s classification of a bank’s portfolio using the conceptual guidelines and definitions of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and management’s estimate of the likelihood of default. For statistical information with respect to our substandard loans and allowances for loan losses, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Selected Statistical Information” and note 7 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The amount of provisions charged to income in any period consists of net provisions for possible loan losses and voluntary provisions.

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to our provisions for loan losses and charge-offs for each of the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Provisions:

                                    

Total provisions for loan losses

   Ch$ 40,668     Ch$ 47,264     Ch$ 100,644     16.2 %   112.9 %

Charge-offs:

                                    

Total charge-offs

     28,421       27,857       110,962     (2.0 )   298.3  

Loan loss recoveries:

                                    

Total loan loss recoveries

     9,356       9,935       11,914     6.2     19.9  

Other asset quality data:

                                    

Total loans

   Ch$  3,968,979     Ch$  3,974,585     Ch$  6,161,513     0.1     55.0  

Consolidated risk index

     2.01 %     2.42 %     3.00 %   —       —    

Unconsolidated risk index

     2.05 %     2.48 %     3.10 %   —       —    

Minimum required global provisions (0.75% minimum)

   Ch$ 29,767     Ch$ 29,809     Ch$ 46,211     0.1     55.0  

Allowance for loan losses(1)

   Ch$ 119,930     Ch$ 136,343     Ch$ 215,994     13.7 %   58.4 %

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

     3.02 %     3.43 %     3.51 %   —       —    

(1)   “Allowance for loan losses” includes voluntary loan loss allowances greater than those required by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. These allowances are created when we believe that changes in the portfolio concentrations or economic conditions affecting or reasonably expected to affect borrowers’ credit payment capacities are not adequately addressed by the regulatorily mandated reserves. In addition, from time to time we include other global allowances within our voluntary reserves.

 

2001 and 2002. Our overall provisions for loan losses increased by 112.9% from Ch$47,264 million in 2001 to Ch$100,644 million in 2002, mainly as a result of the merger, as we were required to increase our provisions for loan losses in order to level Banco de A. Edward’s commercial loan portfolio credit risk classifications with ours. The merger also resulted in increased provisioning for loan losses as a result of the unification of the risk criteria used to determine the amount of provisioning needed in connection with our

 

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consumer loans after the merger. The following factors also resulted in the substantial increase in our overall provisions for loan losses in 2002:

 

    Sluggish economic growth, unfavorable terms of trade and high level of unemployment in Chile adversely affected the financial condition of many medium size companies. In line with our credit risk policies, this required us to establish significant provisions in this business area during 2002;

 

    The economic crises in Argentina caused us to establish provisions in the amount of Ch$9,445 million for loans to Argentine debtors in order to adequately cover the risk associated with such loans;

 

    Domestic demand for second homes and resort projects decreased significantly in 2002, which resulted in the establishment of significant provisions related to the real estate and construction sector; and

 

    The 8.6% depreciation in the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar resulted in an increase in the provisioning for loans denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

The increase in provisions for loan losses in 2002 was partially offset by a release in voluntary allowances of approximately Ch$17,200 million.

 

On a consolidated basis, our risk index increased from 2.42% in 2001 to 3.00% in 2002.

 

2000 and 2001. Provisions for loan losses increased 16.2% from Ch$40,668 million in 2000 to Ch$47,264 million in 2001, reflecting our increasingly conservative credit risk policies implemented in the wake of adverse international and domestic economic conditions. These economic conditions led to a significant reduction in aggregate demand and consumption in 2001, which affected the financial condition of our customers. As allowances for loan losses increased during the year and charge-offs decreased by 2.0% in 2001, our consolidated risk index increased from 2.01% at December 31, 2000 to 2.42% at December 31, 2001. The increase in the provisions for loan losses was partially offset by the impact of a release of Ch$4,250 million in voluntary allowances that the Central Bank required as a condition for our merger.

 

Fees and Income from Services, Net

 

The following table sets forth certain components of our fees and income from services (net of fees paid to third parties that provide support for those services, principally fees relating to Credichile’s sales force and receipts and collection services provided to us) for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Credit cards

   Ch$  5,639     Ch$  7,445     Ch$ 13,932     32.0 %   87.1 %

ATMs

   2,996     3,404     5,425     13.6     59.4  

Demand deposits and overdrafts

   10,546     12,982     17,736     23.1     36.6  

Mutual funds and stock brokerage

   8,816     10,676     14,425     21.1     35.1  

Collection services

   2,448     2,293     8,919     (6.3 )   289.0  

Credit lines

   3,543     2,137     7,544     (39.7 )   253.0  

Receipts and payment of services

   3,386     3,740     3,130     10.5     (16.3 )

Letters of credit, guarantees, collaterals and other contingent loans

   3,142     3,343     4,041     6.4     20.9  

Income and revenue from goods received in lieu of payment

   (295 )   (343 )   1,219     16.3     —    

Insurance brokerage

   1,058     1,694     2,038     60.1     20.3  

Financial advisory services

   1,156     938     1,891     (18.9 )   101.6  

Foreign trade and currency exchange

   1,234     1,518     1,749     23.0     15.2  

Bancuenta Credichile Administration

   1,067     1,291     1,716     21.0     32.9  

Expenses collection leasing

   1,842     (175 )   1,189     —       —    

Custody and trust services

   550     631     589     14.7     (6.7 )

Fees from sales force

   (1,649 )   (2,004 )   (5,014 )   21.5     150.2  

Other

   1,058     2,797     6,157     164.4     120.1  
    

 

 

 

 

 

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     Year Ended December 31,

   % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

   2001

   2002

   2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Total

   Ch$  46,537    Ch$  52,367    Ch$  86,686    12.5 %   65.5 %
    

  

  

  

 

 

2001 and 2002. Fees and income from services, net increased by 65.5% from Ch$52,367 million in 2001 to Ch$86,686 million in 2002. Although this increase resulted primarily from the merger, a portion of the increase is attributable to higher fees obtained from credit cards, lines of credit and overdrafts as a result of our strategy of optimizing the fees we charge and the broadening of our fee generating products in 2002. In addition, the increase in fees and income from services, net also reflects additional fee income from Socofin, our collection services subsidiary, which was consolidated into our results as of the third quarter of 2002, and which accounted for 7.3% of total fees in 2002.

 

2000 and 2001. Fees and income from services, net increased by 12.5% from Ch$46,537 million in 2000 to Ch$52,367 million in 2001, primarily as a result of higher fees earned from checking accounts, overdrafts and credit cards, as well as higher fees generated by our mutual fund subsidiary. The higher fees were mainly a consequence of our charging higher fees for these associated services as well as a significant increase in our client base, as approximately 18,600 new checking account clients were added in 2001. The “Travel” card promotional campaigns carried out during the year influenced the increase in credit card fees. The higher fees from our mutual fund subsidiary derived in part from an increase in the volume of average funds under management, as well as a change in the compensation system for the asset management sales force to an incentive system based on variable income.

 

In 2001, we began to apply new regulations required by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks whereby fee income is recognized on an accrual basis instead of a cash basis. The new regulations resulted in a reduction in the amount of fee income recognized. The new regulations led to a deferral of approximately Ch$2,177 million and Ch$3,094 million in fee income in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Excluding this effect, income from services grew 17.2% in 2001 and 64.6% in 2002.

 

Other Operating Income (Loss), Net

 

Other operating income (loss), net, consists of net gains and losses from trading activities and net gains and losses from foreign exchange transactions. Trading results include gains and losses realized on the sale of financial investments as well as gains and losses arising from marking certain financial investments to market at period-end. Net gains and losses from foreign exchange transactions include gains and losses realized upon the sale of foreign currency and foreign exchange derivatives and gains and losses arising from the period-end translation of foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities into pesos. Foreign exchange results do not include net adjustments on U.S. dollar-indexed domestic currency transactions, or the exchange rate variation on foreign branches’ capital and reserves. Foreign exchange results do include existing interest rate differences in currency derivatives used for hedging.

 

The following table sets forth certain components of our other operating income (loss), net, in the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001and 2002:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

   % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

   2001

   2002

   2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Gains on trading activities, net

   Ch$ 7,473    Ch$  4,886    Ch$ 892    (34.6) %   (81.7) %

Foreign exchange transactions, net

     4,354      1,691      (30,917)    (61.2)     —    
    

  

  

  

 

Total

   Ch$  11,827    Ch$  6,577    Ch$  (30,025)    (44.4) %   —    
    

  

  

  

 

 

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2001 and 2002. Other operating income (loss), net decreased to a loss of Ch$30,025 million in 2002 from income of Ch$6,577 million in 2001, primarily as a result of losses on foreign exchange transactions in 2002 and, to a lesser extent, lower gains on trading activities in the same year. The losses on foreign exchange transactions were largely attributable to our maintaining higher net liability position in U.S. dollars at a time when the Chilean peso was depreciating against the U.S. dollar (we also maintained a net asset position in Chilean peso denominated assets, which were readjusted in U.S. dollars and which improved our results for net interest revenue).

 

Total gains on trading activities in 2002 totaled Ch$892 million compared to Ch$4,886 million in 2001. The decline in gains on trading activities was primarily the result of the U.S.$19 million impairment on certain Argentine corporate bonds, as a result of the unlikelihood of registering a significant increase in the market value of such securities. In 2002, higher mark to market and trading gains were obtained from Central Bank securities and mortgage finance bonds due to declining local interest rates.

 

2000 and 2001. Other operating income (loss), net decreased from Ch$11,827 million in 2000 to Ch$6,577 million in 2001 largely due to a decrease in gains from and in foreign exchange transactions. Lower gains on trading activities in 2001 were mainly attributable to the establishment of provisions and charge-offs during the fourth quarter of 2001 as a result of a default on a Mexican corporate bond held by our New York branch. The decrease in gains on trading activities was partially offset by increased mark to market earnings on Chilean corporate bonds and sovereign bonds, primarily Chilean and Mexican sovereign bonds.

 

The decrease in foreign exchange transactions in 2001 was primarily attributable to our decision to maintain a net liability position in U.S. dollars while the Chilean peso depreciated 14.6% between December 31, 2000 and December 31, 2001 against the U.S. dollar. In the same period, we maintained a net asset position in dollar-adjustable Chilean pesos, which partially offset the aforementioned decrease. The decrease in foreign exchange transactions was attributable to lower accrual earnings on UF – U.S. dollar forward contracts as a result of the lower inflation rate. The annual change experienced by the UF index was 4.7% in 2000 and 2.1% in 2001.

 

Other Income and Expenses, Net

 

Other income and expenses, net consists of gains arising from the recovery of loans previously charged off, non-operating income, non-operating expenses and income and gains arising from our affiliates accounted for by the equity method, offset by any minority interest participation in the net income of our subsidiaries. See notes 9, 17 and 19 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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The following table sets forth certain components of our “other income and expenses, net,” in the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Loan loss recoveries previously charged off

   Ch$ 7,440     Ch$ 8,917     Ch$ 11,196     19.9 %   25.6 %

Loan loss recoveries reacquired from the Central Bank

     1,916       1,018     718     (46.9 )   (29.5 )
    


 


 

           

Subtotal

     9,356       9,935     11,914     6.2     19.9  

Non-operating income

     7,778       8,210     6,783     5.6     (17.4 )

Non-operating expenses

     (6,424 )     (6,328 )   (23,022 )   (1.5 )   263.8  
    


 


 

           

Subtotal

     1,354       1,882     (16,239 )   39.0     —    

Income from investments in other companies

     3       (44 )   (970 )   —       2,104.5 %

Minority interest

     (1 )     (1 )   (1 )   —       —    
    


 


 

 

 

Total

   Ch$  10,712     Ch$  11,772     Ch$ (5,296)     9.9 %   —    
    


 


 

 

 

 

2001 and 2002. Despite the increase in loan loss recoveries, other income and expenses, net, decreased to an expense of Ch$5,296 million in 2002 compared to income of Ch$11,772 million in 2001, primarily as a result of higher non-recurring operating expenses such as losses incurred in connection with assets received in lieu of payment as a consequence of an increase in charge-offs, an increase in provisions and lower earnings from the sale of such assets and an increase in provisions and charge-offs associated with the closing of branches as a result of the merger.

 

Our losses in income from investment in other companies in 2002 were mainly associated with Artikos Chile, our affiliate that offers e-commerce services to our corporate customers and, to a lesser extent, with Empresa de Tarjetas Inteligentes S.A., our affiliate that researches, develops and evaluates new payment card solutions based on potential smartcard business operations. The results of these two affiliates primarily resulted from the lower than expected income generated during 2002 and the high depreciation and amortization expenses related to the technological investments needed for this kind of technology-intensive businesses.

 

2000 and 2001. Other income and expenses, net increased by Ch$1,060 million in 2001 compared to 2000, due primarily to higher recoveries from loans that had been previously charged-off and an increase in non-operating income, net. The increase in non-operating income, net, resulted primarily from higher earnings obtained from sales of assets received in lieu of payment and, to a lesser extent, from lower charge-offs related to these assets.

 

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Operating Expenses

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our operating expenses in the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

   % Increase (Decrease)

 
     2000

   2001

   2002

   2000/2001

    2001/2002

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Personnel salaries and expenses

   Ch$ 83,110    Ch$ 83,652    Ch$ 134,189    0.7 %   60.4 %

Administrative and other expenses:

                               

Advertising

     5,885      6,696    8,499    13.8     26.9  

Building maintenance

     4,242      3,995    7,836    (5.8 )   96.1  

Rentals and insurance

     3,941      4,529    9,211    14.9     103.4  

Office supplies

     2,799      2,726    4,620    (2.6 )   69.5  

Other expenses

     38,667      40,697    70,949    5.2     74.3  
    

  

  
  

 

Total administrative and other expenses

     55,534      58,643    101,115    5.6     72.4  

Depreciation and amortization

     9,309      8,320    21,935    (10.6 )   163.6  
    

  

  
  

 

Total

   Ch$  147,953    Ch$  150,615    Ch$ 257,239    1.8 %   70.8 %
    

  

  
  

 

 

2001 and 2002. Our operating expenses increased by 70.8% from Ch$150,615 million in 2001 to Ch$257,239 million in 2002, primarily as a result of the merger, as both personnel and administrative expenses increased. Higher merger-related operating expenses incurred in 2002 included severance payments related to headcount reductions, improvements in information technology, outplacement and financial advisory expenses and branch refurbishment costs. In addition, a one-time bonus payment of approximately Ch$1,500 million was made in the fourth quarter of 2002 in connection with the four-year collective bargaining agreement we entered into with one of our labor unions, which contributed to increased personnel salaries in 2002. We do not expect to be involved in any new collective bargaining agreements for the next three years. In addition, the incorporation of the subsidiaries Socofin and Promarket increased our cost base by Ch$7,257 million in 2002.

 

The annual increase in depreciation and amortization expenses was also primarily attributable to the merger, which resulted in charge-offs of discontinued software and increased depreciation of new equipment acquired to integrate the two banks information technology systems following the merger.

 

2000 and 2001. Our operating expenses increased by 1.8% from Ch$147,953 million in 2000 to Ch$150,615 million in 2001, primarily as a result of an increase in administrative and other expenses related to the merger process. Excluding merger related expenses, total operating expenses would have decreased by 3.3% during 2001.

 

Personnel salaries and expenses increased by 0.7% during 2001 compared to 2000, mainly as a consequence of higher bonus expenses related to the collective bargaining agreement.

 

The 5.6% increase in administrative and other expenses was due mainly to an increase in the amounts paid to external advisors and consultants, (accountants, legal, outplacement, etc.), and to a lesser extent, to higher advertising expenses, both of which were principally related to the merger process.

 

The decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses during 2001, as compared to 2000, was mainly attributable to higher amortization expenses incurred during the fourth quarter of 2000 associated with expenses incurred in promoting the use of debit cards.

 

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Loss from Price-Level Restatement

 

Chilean GAAP requires that adjustments be made to nonmonetary assets (including fixed assets) and liabilities and to shareholders’ equity at the end of each reported period to reflect the effects of inflation during such period. The net effect of this inflation adjustment is reflected in our results of operations under “gain (loss) from price-level restatement.” See “—Introduction—Inflation.”

 

2001 and 2002. The loss from price-level restatement increased from Ch$5,950 million in 2001 to Ch$9,596 million in 2002 primarily as a result of the effect of the merger, which increased the net amounts of non-monetary assets and liabilities. The increase was partially offset by a slight decrease in the inflation rate used for adjustment purposes from 3.1% in 2001 to 3.0% in 2002.

 

2000 and 2001. The loss from price-level restatement decreased from Ch$9,705 million in 2000 to Ch$5,950 million in 2001 primarily as a result of a decrease in the inflation rate used for adjustment purposes from 4.7% to 3.1% during the period, which resulted in a Ch$9,700 million restatement of our equity. This was partially offset by an increase in the valuation of fixed assets by Ch$2,520 million, an increase in investments in other companies of Ch$571 million and an increase in other assets of Ch$659 million.

 

Income Tax

 

The statutory corporate income tax rate in Chile was 15% in 2001 and 16% in 2002. As an inducement for Chilean banks to refinance their indebtedness with the Central Bank, Law No. 19,396 provided that if a bank chose to refinance such indebtedness, such bank’s income tax rate would not increase. As a result, we have been permitted under Law No. 19,396 to deduct dividend payments made to SAOS. In addition, any other payments made by SAOS or its shareholders to the Central Bank in connection with the Central Bank indebtedness are tax deductible. Consequently, our effective tax rate is significantly lower than the statutory corporate income tax rate because we deduct such dividend payments from our taxable income. Additionally, but to a lesser extent, differences in the tax treatment for provisions on individual loans and for charge-offs for past due loans have an impact on our effective tax rate. Moreover, all real estate taxes paid on properties that are leased to customers are deductible from our taxable income.

 

2001 and 2002. We recorded a Ch$1,153 million tax credit in 2002, as compared to a tax credit of Ch$1,386 million in 2001. This was primarily attributable to (1) the amortization of complementary accounts on deferred taxes accumulated for periods prior to 1999, which resulted in the recognition of a net tax benefit and (2) a positive impact on deferred taxes related to the change in the corporate income tax rate from 15% in 2001 to 16% in 2002.

 

2000 and 2001. We recorded a Ch$1,386 million tax credit in 2001, as compared to a tax liability of Ch$1,591 million in 2000. This was primarily attributable to (1) the amortization of complementary accounts on deferred taxes accumulated for periods prior to 1999 and (2) the recognition of the difference between the tax actually paid in 2001 and what had been set aside in December 2000 for 2001.

 

Cash Flows

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   Ch$  (145,328)    Ch$  (137,199)    Ch$  418,124

 

2001 and 2002. Cash provided by operating activities increased by Ch$555,323 million in 2002 compared to 2001, primarily a result of our redemption at maturity of a significant portion of our investments in Central Bank debt securities.

 

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2000 and 2001. Cash used in operating activities decreased by Ch$8,129 million in 2001 compared to 2000, mainly due to an increase in purchases of investment securities.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Net cash used in investing activities

   Ch$  (389,809)    Ch$  (140,363)    Ch$  (250,533)

 

2001 and 2002. Cash used in investing activities increased by Ch$110,170 million in 2002 compared to 2001 mainly due to an increase in the volume of the loan portfolio and other assets, net.

 

2000 and 2001. Cash used in investing activities decreased by Ch$249,446 million in 2001 compared to 2000, mainly due to slower growth in loan volume, as a consequence of decreased global economic activity (during 2001 the volume of our loan portfolio grew 0.1% compared to 6.0% in 2000).

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   Ch$  620,522    Ch$  326,326    Ch$  (260,292)

 

2001 and 2002. In 2002, cash provided by financing activities decreased from a cash inflow of Ch$326,326 million to a cash outflow of Ch$260,292 million primarily as a result of a decrease in savings accounts and time deposits.

 

2000 and 2001. In 2001, cash provided by financing activities decreased by Ch$294,196 million as compared to 2000, primarily as a result of smaller increases in savings accounts, time deposits and current accounts, a decrease in the volume of banker’s drafts and other deposits and, to a lesser extent, higher repayments of long-term borrowings.

 

Chilean and U.S. GAAP Reconciliation

 

We prepare our audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with Chilean GAAP, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. See note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a description of the material differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP, as they relate to us and our consolidated subsidiaries, a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income and shareholders’ equity and a discussion of new accounting rules under U.S. GAAP. The following table sets forth net income and shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 under Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2000

    2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Net income (Chilean GAAP)

   Ch$ 87,034     Ch$ 89,577    Ch$ 52,635

Net income (U.S. GAAP)

     (94 )     49,764      16,954

Shareholders’ equity (Chilean GAAP)

     406,164       410,217      618,230

Shareholders’ equity (U.S. GAAP)

   Ch$  411,477     Ch$  1,165,642    Ch$  1,279,960

 

Significant differences exist between our net income and shareholders’ equity under Chilean GAAP as presented in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” and our net income and shareholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP as presented in note 28 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The differences are primarily in the context of the accounting treatment used for the merger. The principal differences are as follows:

 

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    Under Chilean GAAP, the merger was accounted for as a “pooling of interests” on a prospective basis. As such, the historical financial statements for periods prior to the merger are not restated under Chilean GAAP and we are considered to be the surviving entity. Under U.S. GAAP, the merger of the two banks is accounted for as a merger of entities under common control, as L.Q. Inversiones Financieras, a holding company beneficially owned by Quiñenco, controlled both banks since March 27, 2001. Consequently, U.S. GAAP requires that we restate our U.S. GAAP historical financial statements to retroactively reflect the merger as if both banks had been combined since March 27, 2001. Under U.S. GAAP, for periods prior to March 27, 2001, the information presented in our audited consolidated financial statements is that of Banco de A. Edwards, as it had been under Quiñenco’s control since September 2, 1999.

 

    The pooling of interests method under Chilean GAAP eliminates any interbank balances and aggregates the results of both banks using their historical book values. Under U.S. GAAP, to the extent that we and Banco de A. Edwards were under common control, the assets and liabilities of Banco de A. Edwards were transferred into our accounts at their book value. However, as Quiñenco only owned 51.18% of Banco de A. Edwards, we effectively acquired from minority interest holders that portion that was not held by Quiñenco and so we applied purchase accounting. As a result, we must calculate goodwill based on the difference between the purchase price (i.e. the market value of our shares) and the fair value of the proportion of assets and liabilities acquired from minority interest holders at the date of the merger. As part of this process, under U.S. GAAP, we were also required to value previously unrecorded intangible assets, such as the Banco de A. Edwards brand name, and to include these assets in our financial records. Such assets remain unrecorded under Chilean GAAP.

 

    Under U.S. GAAP, when accounting for a merger of entities under common control, the book values of the merged entities that are held in the books of the common parent must be pushed down to the merged entity. This means that any goodwill in the books of Quiñenco at the time that it acquired each bank and any fair value differences created from those purchases must be included in our U.S. GAAP accounting records. In practice this means that the goodwill and fair value adjustments created from Quiñenco’s purchases of Banco de A. Edwards shares in September, October and December 1999 and from Quiñenco’s purchase of our shares in March 2001 are pushed down to us. As there is no analogous accounting treatment under Chilean GAAP, there is a considerable difference in the asset and liability bases under each body of accounting principles.

 

These differences are explained in greater detail in note 28(a) to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Funding

 

The following table sets forth our average daily balance of liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, in each case together with the related average nominal interest rates paid thereon:

 

    Year Ended December 31,

 
    2000

    2001

    2002

 
    Average
Balance


  % of
Total
Liabilities


    Average
Nominal
Rate


    Average
Balance


  % of
Total
Liabilities


    Average
Nominal
Rate


    Average
Balance


  % of
Total
Liabilities


   

Average

Nominal
Rate


 
    (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

  Ch$ 818,521   15.8 %   —       Ch$ 948,869   16.1 %   —       Ch$ 1,404,903   16.6 %   —    

Time deposits

    2,249,844   43.4     9.0 %     2,675,818   45.5     6.3 %     3,540,009   41.9     3.9 %

Savings accounts

    187,697   3.6     6.6       213,566   3.6     4.5       360,220   4.3     2.7  

Mortgage finance bonds

    796,256   15.4     11.0       837,934   14.3     9.5       1,272,915   15.1     9.6  

Central Bank borrowings

    4,942   0.1     7.9       33,717   0.6     5.7       60,685   0.7     3.7  

Contingent liabilities

    273,169   5.3     —         293,537   5.0     —         372,476   4.4     —    

Other non-interest bearing liabilities

    75,170   1.4     —         107,102   1.8     —         301,131   3.6     —    

Other interest bearing liabilities

    776,426   15.0     8.1 %     770,915   13.1     6.2 %     1,127,432   13.4     4.1 %
   

 

       

 

       

 

     

Total liabilities

  Ch$ 5,182,025   100.0 %         Ch$ 5,881,458   100.0 %         Ch$ 8,439,771   100.0 %      
   

 

       

 

       

 

     

 

Our most important source of funding is our customer deposits, which consist primarily of peso-denominated non-interest bearing demand deposits and peso- and UF-denominated interest bearing time deposits. Non-interest bearing demand deposits represented 16.6% of our average total liabilities in 2002, and are our least expensive source of funding. Time deposits and mortgage finance bonds represented 57.0% of our average liabilities in 2002 and 59.8% in 2001.

 

Our current funding strategy is to continue to utilize all sources of funding in accordance with their cost and availability and with our general asset and liability management strategy. We also intend to continue to broaden our customer deposit base, to emphasize core deposit funding and to fund our mortgage loans with the matched funding available through the issuance of mortgage finance bonds in Chile’s capital markets. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Bank—Principal Business Activities—Retail Banking.”

 

Liquidity

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will be unable to meet our payment obligations and potential payment obligations as and when they become due without incurring unacceptable losses. To manage that risk, we maintain at all times a diversified stock of highly liquid assets that can be quickly mobilized in extraordinary circumstances, including cash, financial investments, and Central Bank and government securities. Additionally, we have established lines of credit with foreign and domestic banks and have access to Central Bank borrowings to increase liquidity as necessary.

 

Our general policy is to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure our ability to honor withdrawals of deposits, make repayments of other liabilities at maturity, extend loans and meet our working capital needs. The minimum amount of liquidity is determined by the reserve requirements set by the Central Bank. These reserves are currently 9.0% of demand deposits and 3.6% of time deposits. We are currently in compliance with all of these requirements.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

The following tables set forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments by time remaining to maturity. As of December 31, 2002, the scheduled maturities of our contractual obligations, including accrued interest, were as follows:

 

     Due within 1
year


  

Due after 1
year but
within 3

years


  

Due after 3
years but
within 6

years


  

Due after 6

years


   Total

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)
Contractual Obligations                                   

Deposit and other term liabilities(1)

   Ch$ 3,111,526    Ch$ 155,123    Ch$ 93,460      —      Ch$ 3,360,109

Mortgage finance bonds

     124,031      218,344      313,129    Ch$ 428,538      1,084,042

Bonds issued

     17,602      25,027      46,498      193,120      282,247

Central Bank credit lines from renegotiations of loans

     3,763      —        —        —        3,763

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

     50,488      —        —        —        50,488

Foreign borrowings

     452,153      58,065      126      —        510,344

Other obligations

     41,607      15,763      13,218      5,308      75,896

Lease contracts

     4,637      7,530      5,749      2,841      20,757

Investments under agreements to repurchase

     276,675      —        —        —        276,675
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   Ch$  4,082,482    Ch$  479,852    Ch$  472,180    Ch$  629,807    Ch$  5,664,321
    

  

  

  

  


(1)   Excludes demand accounts and savings accounts.

 

As of December 31, 2002, the scheduled maturities of other commercial commitments, including accrued interest, were as follows:

 

     Due within 1
year


   Due after 1
year but
within 3
years


   Due after 3
years but
within 6
years


   Due after 6
years


   Total

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 2002)

Commercial Commitments

                                  

Letters of Credit

   Ch$ 93,881      —        —        —        93,881

Guarantees

     192,948    Ch$ 59,877    Ch$ 32,816    Ch$ 1,470    Ch$ 287,111
    

  

  

  

  

Total other commercial commitments

   Ch$ 286,829    Ch$ 59,877    Ch$ 32,816    Ch$ 1,470    Ch$ 380,992
    

  

  

  

  

 

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

 

    deposits in checking accounts;

 

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

 

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

 

    time deposits payable within ten days

 

in the aggregate exceeds 2.5 times the amount of our capital and reserves.

 

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

 

The senior members of our finance division evaluate liquidity by projecting daily cash flows over the following 100 days to verify that adequate liquidity is maintained, in compliance with limits imposed by Chilean banking regulations and those set internally by us.

 

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Capital

 

Our level of shareholders’ equity is currently in excess of what is required by all applicable Chilean regulatory requirements. According to the General Banking Law, a bank must maintain:

 

    an effective equity of at least 8% of its risk-weighted assets, net of required reserves; and

 

    paid-in capital and reserves, or basic capital, of at least 3% of its total assets, net of required allowances.

 

In our case, however, because of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards we are required to have an effective equity of at least 10%.

 

For these purposes, the effective equity of a bank is the sum of:

 

    the bank’s basic capital;

 

    subordinated bonds issued by the bank valued at their placement price up to 50% of its basic capital, provided that the value of the bonds decreases 20% for each year that lapses during the period commencing six years prior to their maturity; and

 

    voluntary loan loss allowances, but only up to 1.25% of the bank’s risk-weighted assets.

 

For purposes of weighing the risk of a bank’s assets, the General Banking Law considers five different categories of assets, based on the recommendations of the Basel Committee for minimum capital requirements.

 

The following table reflects the composition of our regulatory capital as of December 31, 2002:

 

     As of
December 31, 2002


 

Basic capital

   Ch$ 565,595  

Subordinated bonds

     236,776  

Voluntary allowances

     20,557  
    


Effective equity

   Ch$ 822,928  
    


Consolidated risk-weighted assets, net

   Ch$ 6,012,828  

Effective equity /risk-weighted assets

     13.69 %

Consolidated assets, net of allowances

   Ch$ 8,634,364  

Basic capital/assets, net of allowances

     6.55 %

 

Capital Expenditures

 

The following table reflects our capital expenditures in each of the three years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Years Ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Computer equipment

   Ch$ 2,564    Ch$ 6,936    Ch$ 7,577

Furniture, machinery and installations

     2,317      2,741      3,462

Real estate

     894      371      640

Vehicles

     262      65      318
    

  

  

Total

   Ch$ 6,037    Ch$ 10,113    Ch$ 11,997
    

  

  

 

Our budget for capital expenditures in 2003 is Ch$25,290 million. Capital expenditures planned for 2003 consist mainly of expenditures for improvements in our information technology, including the implementation of a technological innovation project for our core systems. Other capital expenditures include

 

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disbursements necessary to maintain and improve our existing branch office infrastructure and other maintenance required in the ordinary course of our business.

 

Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

 

Directors

 

Our administration is conducted by our board of directors which, in accordance with our estatutos, or bylaws, consists of eleven directors and two alternate directors. The entire board of directors is elected every three years. Our current board of directors was elected in March 2002 and their term expires in March 2005. Cumulative voting is permitted for the election of directors. Our President and Chief Executive Officer are appointed by the board of directors and hold their offices at the board of directors’ discretion. Scheduled meetings of the board of directors are held at least once a month. Extraordinary board of directors meetings may be called by the Chairman, when requested by a majority of the directors or, in limited circumstances, when requested by one director.

 

Our current directors are as follows:

 

Directors


  

Position


   Age

Segismundo Schulin-Zeuthen S.

   Chairman    57

Andronico Luksic C.

   Vice Chairman    49

Guillermo Luksic C.

   Director    46

Jacob Ergas E.

   Director    68

Jorge Awad M.

   Director    57

Rodrigo Manubens M.

   Director    43

Gonzalo Menendez D.

   Director    53

Maximo Pacheco M.

   Director    49

Francisco Perez M.

   Director    44

Manuel Sobral F.

   Director    48

Maximo Silva B.

   Director    57

Edmundo Eluchans U.

   Alternate Director    52

Jorge Diaz V.

   Alternate Director    59

 

Segismundo Schulin-Zeuthen S. has been the Chairman of our board of directors since 1999. Previously he had been our President and Chief Executive Officer since 1987. He joined us in 1985 and served as Assistant General Manager until 1986. Prior to joining us, Mr. Schulin-Zeuthen held positions at Banco Morgan Finansa and at Nacional Financiera. Mr. Schulin-Zeuthen is also a member of the board of directors of the Santiago Stock Exchange, of ICARE and of the Asociacion de Bancos e Instituciones Financieras (the Chilean Association of Banks and Financial Institutions) and Chairman of the board of directors of Banchile Corredora de Bolsa. Mr. Schulin-Zeuthen holds a degree in commercial engineering from the Universidad de Chile.

 

Andronico Luksic C. was elected Director and Vice Chairman of our board of directors in March 2002. He is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, the advisory committee to the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University, the board of trustees to Babson College, the advisory board of the Panama Canal Authority and the ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council). Mr. Luksic is Vice Chairman of Quiñenco and a member of the board of directors at Compañia Cervecerias Unidas S.A., Manufacturas de Cobre Madeco S.A., Empresas Lucchetti S.A. and SOFOFA, the Sociedad de Fomento Fabril. Mr. Luksic is also a Trustee of the Teatro Municipal de Santiago and the Chile-Pacific Foundation. He was Chairman of the board of directors of Banco O’Higgins and subsequently Chairman of the board of directors of Banco Santiago until May 1999. Mr. Luksic was Director and Chairman of the board of directors of Banco de A. Edwards from September 1999 to December 2001. Mr. Luksic is a brother of Mr. Guillermo Luksic.

 

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Guillermo Luksic C. has been a member of our board of directors since March 2001. He is the former Vice Chairman of the board. Mr. Luksic is Chairman of the board of directors of Quiñenco, Compañia Cervecerias Unidas, CNT Telefonica del Sur S.A., Vice Chairman of Madeco S.A. and a Director of Empresas Lucchetti S.A. He is also a member of the advisory council of Fundacion Paz Ciudadana and the Center of Public Studies, of the board of Universidad Finis Terrae and of the board of trustees of the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management. Mr. Luksic is a brother of Mr. Andronico Luksic.

 

Jacob Ergas E. has been a member of our board of directors since January 2002. Mr. Ergas is also Director of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos. He was Chairman of the board of directors of Banedwards S.A. Administradora de Fondos Mutuos, Banedwards S.A. Fondos de Inversion and Banedwards Corredora de Seguros Limitada. He was Director of Promarket, Banedwards Compañia de Seguros de Vida S.A. and Banedwards Asesoria Financiera S.A. He was Director and Vice Chairman of Banco de A. Edwards from 1986 to December, 2001 and also Director of the Chilean Association of Banks and Financial Institutions. He is Chairman of the board of directors of J. Ergas Inversiones y Rentas Limitada, Ever I BAE S.A., Ever II HNS S.A., Inmobiliaria Paidahue S.A. and INERSA S.A.

 

Jorge Awad M. has been a member of our board of directors since 1996. From 1989 to 1996 he was a member of the board of directors of Banco de Santiago. Mr. Awad is the Chairman of the board of directors of Lan Chile since 1994, and a member of the board of directors of several other companies including Envases del Pacifico S.A. and Diario La Nacion. He is also a professor of Business Entrepreneurship at the Universidad de Chile, from which he holds a degree in commercial engineering.

 

Rodrigo Manubens M. has been a member of our board of directors since March 2001. Mr. Manubens was a member of the board of directors of Banco de A. Edwards from 1999 until April 2001. From 1985 to May 1999 Mr. Manubens was a member of the board of Banco O’Higgins and continued in that role when it merged into Banco Santiago. From 1995 to 1999 he was Chairman of Banco Tornquist in Argentina and a member of the board of Banco Sur in Peru and Banco Asuncion in Paraguay. Mr. Manubens also served for a 10-year period as a Director and chairman of Endesa Chile S.A. He is also chairman of Banchile Compañia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Banchile Corredora de Seguros Limitada, and Banchile Factoring and a member of the board of directors of Banchile Corredora de Bolsa. Mr. Manubens holds a degree in business from Universidad Adolfo Ibañez and a masters of science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

 

Gonzalo Menendez D. has been a member of our board of directors since March 2001. Mr. Menendez is also a member of the board of directors of Quiñenco, Antofagasta PLC, Minera Michilla S.A. and Mining Group Antofagasta Minerals S.A. From 1980 to 1985, Mr. Menendez was the Chief Executive Officer of Antofagasta Railway. From 1985 to 1992, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Banco O’Higgins. Since 1990, he has been a Director and is now chairman of the Latin American Export Bank. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Menendez was a member of the board of directors and of the executive committee of Banco Santiago. From 1994 to 1998 he was the Chief Executive Officer of Empresas Lucchetti. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Menendez was a member of the board of directors of Banco de A. Edwards. Mr. Menendez has been a Professor of Finance, Chilean Economic and Business Policy at Universidad de Chile, Counselor of Universidad de Antofagasta, Counselor of the Center of Public Studies and Counselor to Fundacion Coanil and Universidad Diego Portales. Mr. Menendez is also the Chairman of Inversiones Vita S.A., Banchile Asesoria Financiera, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos and a member of the boards of directors of Banchile Compañia de Seguros de Vida, Compañia Nacional de Telefonos, Telefonica del Sur S.A., and Compañia de Telefonos de Coyhaique S.A. Mr. Menendez holds a degree in business administration and accounting from the Universidad de Chile.

 

Maximo Pacheco M. has been a member of our board of directors since March 2001. Mr. Pacheco is President of International Paper for Latin America and member of the board of directors of Corporacion Cultural de la I. Municipalidad de Santiago, AFP Provida, Falabella and Lucchetti. Mr. Pacheco holds a degree in commercial engineering from the Universidad de Chile.

 

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Francisco Perez M. has been a member of our board of directors since March 2001. Since July 1998, Mr. Perez has been the Chief Executive Officer of Quiñenco. He was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of Compañia Cervecerias Unidas, of which he is still a Director. He is also a member of the board of directors of Entel. Prior to 1991, Mr. Perez was Chief Executive Officer of Citicorp-Chile and also worked for Bankers Trust. Mr. Perez holds a degree in business administration from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and a masters degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

 

Manuel Sobral F. has been a member of our board of directors since 1999. Mr. Sobral was a member of the board of directors of Banchile Corredores de Bolsa from 1999 to 2001, and has been a member of the board of directors of Banchile Factoring since 2003. He has been a member of the boards of directors of Inversiones Concepcion and Inversiones Aculeo since 1988.

 

Maximo Silva B. has been a member of our board of directors since 1987. Mr. Silva is chairman of the board of directors of Isapre Banmedica S.A., Clinica Santa Maria S.A. and Clinica Davila y Servicios Medicos S.A. and a member of the boards of directors of Banchile Corredora de Seguros Limitada (since 2002) and Banmedica S.A. From 1996 until April 2003, he was the Chairman of the Asociacion de Clinicas Privadas de Chile and Isapre Salud Colmena, Colombia. Mr. Silva was Chile’s Minister of Labor in 1982, and he holds a law degree from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Edmundo Eluchans U. was elected as an Alternate Director in March 2002. Mr. Eluchans was a Director of Banco del Trabajo, Banco O’Higgins and Banco Santiago. He is also a Director of Promarket and member of the Administrative Council of Banchile Corredora de Seguros Limitada. Mr. Eluchans is also a Director of several corporations and commercial institutions in Chile, and the principal partner at the Chilean law firm of Edmundo Eluchans y Cia. He was a Director at Banco de A. Edwards from March 2001 to December 2001, after having been designated an Alternate Director in March 2000.

 

Jorge Diaz V. was elected as an Alternate Director in March 2002. Mr. Diaz is a Director of FCMI Administradora de Fondos de Inversion S.A. and an advisor of Quiñenco. Mr. Diaz was the Chilean Superintendent of Banks from 1976 to 1980, Director of Banco del Pacifico from 1980 to 1981, the administrator designated by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to Banco Unido de Fomento from 1982 to 1985, Chief Executive Officer of Banco Concepcion (now Corpbanca) from 1986 to 1992 and advisor of O’Higgins Central Hispano S.A. until 1999. He was a Director at Banco de A. Edwards from March 2001 to December 2001, after having been designated as an Alternate Director in March 2000. He holds a degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Senior Management

 

Our current executive officers are as follows:

 

Executive Officers


  

Position


   Age

Pablo Granifo L.

   Chief Executive Officer    44

Ricardo Dell’Orto B.

   General Legal Counsel    61

Julio Guzman H.

   Manager—Corporate and International Division    48

Luis Felipe Bravo F.

   Manager—Credit Risk Division    59

Alejandro Herrera A.

   Manager—Individual Banking and Branches    46

Marcelo Caracci L.

   Manager—Operations and Technology Division    53

Arturo Concha U.

   Manager—Financial Division    49

Jennie E. Coleman A.

   Manager—Human Resources Division    49

Arturo Tagle Q.

   Manager—Planning and Research Division    43

Alvaro Cambara L.

   Manager—Marketing Division    46

Pedro Bolados M.

   Manager—Risk Control Division    44

Cristian Wolleter V.

   Manager—Middle Market Division    50

Alicia Sandoval Q.

   Manager—Special Business Division    53

Juan Cooper A.

   Manager—Credichile Division    42

 

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Pablo Granifo L. was appointed our Chief Executive Officer in October 2001. He was Chief Executive Officer of Banco de A. Edwards from November 2000 to October 2001, after having been a commercial manager at Banco Santiago from 1995 to 1999 and a corporate manager at Banco Santiago from 1999 to January 2000. Mr. Granifo is a member of the board of directors of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos, Banchile Asesoria Financiera and Banchile Factoring, and he is a member of the executive committee of Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda. He holds a degree in business from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Ricardo Dell’Orto B. is our General Legal Counsel and Secretary of our board of directors and has worked with us since 1965. Mr. Dell’Orto is Chairman of the board of directors of the Corporacion Club de Golf Rocas de Santo Domingo. He holds a law degree from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and participated in instructional programs for lawyers at Harvard Law School in 1992 and 1994.

 

Julio Guzman H. has been the Manager of the Corporate and International division since January 2002, after having been the General Manager of Banco de A. Edwards. He joined Banco de A. Edwards in 1992 after working at Banco Santiago, Citibank N.A. and Banco de Chile. Mr. Guzman is a member of the board of directors of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos, Banchile Asesoria Financiera, Banchile Securitizadora and holds a degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Luis Felipe Bravo F. has been the Manager of the Credit Risk Division since January 2002. Mr. Bravo joined us in 1986 and has been Manager of Corporate and International Credit, Manager of Enterprises and Manager of Credit Risk. Prior to that time, Mr. Bravo was a Director of Carvalho Hiskenn, Brasil and Credit Manager at Citibank N.A. Mr. Bravo holds degrees in commercial engineering and accounting from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Alejandro Herrera A. has been the Manager of the Individual Banking and Branches Division since January 2002, after having served in the same position at Banco de A. Edwards. He joined Banco de A. Edwards in 2000, after having been the Chief Executive Officer of Administradora de Fondos Mutuos Santiago S.A. and the Manager of Individual Banking and Branches Division at Banco Santiago between 1995 and 1999. Prior to that time he worked at Banco Santiago as Branches Manager for the Santiago region. Mr. Herrera is a member of the board of directors of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos, Banchile Securitizadora, Promarket and he is a member of the executive committee of Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda. He holds a degree in business from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso.

 

Marcelo Caracci L. is the Manager of the Operations and Technology Division and has worked with us since May 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. Caracci was founder and Director of Sonda Bancos and Sonda Peru, both technology companies. He participated actively in the development and startup of Redbanc, Transbank, Servipag and Deposito Central de Valores. He holds a degree in civil engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Arturo Concha U. is the Manager of the Financial Division. He joined us in 1986 after serving as Chief Financial Officer at Banco Bice and Banco Colocadora Nacional de Valores. Mr. Concha serves as Chairman of the board of directors of the Sociedad Interbancaria de Depositos de Valores de S.A. Mr. Concha holds degrees in commercial engineering and accounting from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and has attended executive education programs at Harvard Business School.

 

Jennie E. Coleman A. has been the Manager of the Human Resources Division since March 2003, when she joined us. Prior to that time, Mrs. Coleman was the Manager of Organizational Development at Banco Santiago, where she previously held the position of training chief executive. Mrs. Coleman holds a degree in public administration from the Universidad de Chile.

 

Arturo Tagle Q. is the manager of the Planning and Research Division. Mr. Tagle joined us in 1995. Prior to that time, Mr. Tagle was the General Manager of the Chilean Bankers Association and Director of

 

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Research at the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. He holds a degree in commercial engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and a masters degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

 

Alvaro Cambara L. has been the Manager of the Marketing Division since January 2002, after having been the Manager of the Individual Banking Division and the Marketing Manager of that division. Prior to that time, Mr. Cambara held several positions in our Corporate and Marketing divisions, after having been Marketing Manager at AFP Provida S.A. Mr. Cambara holds a degree in business from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Pedro Bolados M. is the Manager of the Risk Control Division and joined our company in January 2002, after having served as Comptroller of Banco de A. Edwards. He joined Banco de A. Edwards in 1992 after being Corporate Audit Vice President at Citibank N.A. in Latin America. Mr. Bolados holds a masters degree in business administration from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Cristian Wolleter V. is the Manager of the Middle-Market Division and has worked with us since 1980. He is also a member of the board of directors of Banchile Factoring and Banchile Asesoria Financiera. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Wolleter held various positions at Financiera Tasco and Agrobanco, where he was Chief Credit Officer. Mr. Wolleter holds a degree in commercial engineering from the Universidad de Chile.

 

Alicia Sandoval Q. has been the Manager of the Special Business Division since January 2002, after having served as the Manager of Specialized Credits in the Corporate Division. Prior to that time, Mrs. Sandoval was an advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of Industria Azucarera Nacional S.A. where she also served as Assistant Manager and an analyst at Corporacion de Fomento. She is also a member of the board of Banchile Asesoria Financiera. Mrs. Sandoval holds degrees in commercial engineering and accounting from the Universidad de Chile.

 

Juan Cooper A. has been the Manager of the CrediChile Division since February 2003, after having been the Chief Executive Officer of Altavida Compañia de Seguros de Vida S.A. from 2001 to 2002. Prior to that time, he worked at Banco Santiago, as the Manager of the Santiago Express Division, from 1993 to 2000 and in other positions since 1985. Mr. Cooper has a degree in business from the Universidad de Chile and a masters degree in business administration from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

 

Compensation

 

Consistent with Chilean law, we do not disclose to our shareholders, or otherwise make public, information regarding the compensation of our individual directors or officers. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the aggregate amount of compensation paid to all of our directors was Ch$1,471 million, and no amounts were set aside or accrued by us to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for our directors and executive officers. This amount does not include Ch$2,699 million paid to our senior management and Ch$695 million paid to directors and executive officers of our subsidiaries. The Chilean Corporations Law does not require us to have a compensation committee.

 

Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers

 

The Chilean Corporations Law provides that any transaction in which a director has a personal interest or is acting on behalf of a third party must be previously approved by the board of directors, which will do so only when it has been informed of such director’s interest and the terms of such transaction are similar to those prevailing in the market. If the proposed transaction involves amounts considered material, the board must previously determine that such transaction is consistent with conditions prevailing in the market. If it is not possible for the board to reach such a judgment, the board may appoint two independent evaluators. The evaluators’ final conclusions must be made available to shareholders and directors for a period of 20 business

 

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days, during which shareholders representing 5% or more of the issued voting shares may request the board to summon a shareholders’ meeting to resolve the matter, with the agreement of two-thirds of the issued voting shares.

 

For purposes of this regulation, the law provides that the amount of a proposed transaction is material if (1) it exceeds 1% of the company’s paid-in capital and reserves (provided that it also exceeds 2,000 UF), or (2) it exceeds 20,000 UF. All resolutions approving such transactions must be reported to the company’s shareholders at the next annual shareholders’ meeting. Violations of this provision may result in administrative or criminal sanctions and civil liability to shareholders or third parties who suffer losses as a result of such violation.

 

Chilean law contains additional provisions restricting transactions with affiliates not involving directors or executive officers. The Chilean Corporations Law requires that our transactions with related parties be on market terms or on similar terms to those customarily prevailing in the market. We are required to compare the terms of any such transaction to those prevailing in the market at the date the transaction is to be entered into. Directors of companies that violate this provision are liable for losses resulting from such violation. As disclosed in note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements, we incurred an aggregate of Ch$12,351 million in expenses and Ch$103 million in income from transactions other than loans with related parties in 2002.

 

As authorized by the General Banking Law, and within applicable regulatory limits, we also hold several outstanding loans owed by different affiliated corporations. All such loans

 

    were made in the ordinary course of business;

 

    were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons; and

 

    did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

 

We held an aggregate of Ch$105,122 million in loans to, including Ch$26,600 million in collateral pledged by, related parties as of December 31, 2002. See note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements for details concerning these transactions.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Controller.

 

Governance Practices

 

Historically, we have had a directors’ committee, as required by the Chilean Corporations Law. Based on a recent resolution of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and in response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have recently established an audit committee and a disclosure committee.

 

The Directors’ Committee

 

The three members of our directors’ committee are directors appointed by the board. The members serve on the committee for the same period as they serve as directors and can be re-elected. The majority of the members of the directors’ committee must be independent of the controlling shareholder according to Chilean law. The following current members of the directors’ committee were appointed by the board of directors at a meeting held on March 21, 2002:

 

    Jorge Awad M. (Chair);

 

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    Gonzalo Menendez D.; and

 

    Manuel Sobral F.

 

Mr. Jorge Awad and Mr. Manuel Sobral satisfy the requirement that they be independent of the controlling shareholder.

 

The directors’ committee may appoint independent personnel to carry out specific duties. The main duties of the directors’ committee are:

 

    reviewing and approving all related party transactions;

 

    reviewing our individual and consolidated financial statements and accounting policies;

 

    reviewing the audit reports prepared by our internal comptroller and supervising our controlling divisions;

 

    reviewing the work of our external auditors and interacting with rating agencies;

 

    proposing external auditors at our annual general shareholders’ meeting;

 

    discussing the compensation structure for senior management;

 

    discussing money laundering prevention policies and compliance therewith;

 

    reviewing and discussing management’s self evaluation process; and

 

    reviewing complaints presented by our clients to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.

 

The Audit Committee

 

In May 2003, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks adopted a resolution requiring that, from January 2004, all Chilean banks establish an audit committee composed of three members, two of whom must be directors appointed by the board of directors. The main duties of the audit committee are to review the efficiency of internal control systems, to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and to have a clear understanding of the risks involved in the bank’s business. The Chilean Superintendency of Banks recommends that at least one of the members be experienced with respect to the accounting procedures and financial aspects of banking operations. The members of the board appointed to the audit committee must be independent. To qualify as independent members, board members should not, for the last three years, have held positions as principal executive officers of the company, have performed professional services for the company, have commercial commitments with the company or with any of its affiliates or related persons, or have relations with other entities related to the company from which they have received material payments. Moreover, they may not accept any payment or other compensatory fee from the company, other than in their capacity as members of the board and of other committees.

 

According to the resolution, the duties of the audit committee are:

 

    proposing external auditors to the board of directors;

 

    proposing rating agencies to the board of directors;

 

    reviewing audits and internal reports;

 

    coordinating with internal and external auditors;

 

    reviewing annual and interim financial statements and informing the board of directors of the results of such reviews;

 

    reviewing the reports, procedures and extent of the work of external auditors;

 

    reviewing the procedures and content of reports from external risk evaluators;

 

    discussing the effectiveness and reliability of internal control procedures;

 

    reviewing the performance of information systems, their sufficiency, reliability and use in decision making;

 

    discussing the observance of internal regulations related to compliance with laws and regulations;

 

    reviewing and deliberating on issues related to conflicts of interests;

 

    investigating suspected fraudulent activities;

 

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    reviewing the inspection reports, instructions and presentations from the Chilean Superintendency of Banks;

 

    reviewing compliance with the annual program of internal auditing; and

 

    informing the board of directors of any change in accounting principles and its effects.

 

Other duties of the audit committee include, as needed:

 

    reviewing money laundering procedures;

 

    asking internal auditors to perform specific tasks;

 

    making recommendations on specific tasks to external auditors; and

 

    intervening in any other situation where intervention is warranted in the committee’s discretion.

 

According to the recommendation of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, the audit committee shall have a charter that establishes its composition, organization, objectives, duties, responsibilities and extension of its activities. The audit committee must meet at least quarterly and shall provide an annual written report to the board of directors informing it of its activities. The report must also be presented to the annual shareholders’ meeting. At a meeting held on May 29, 2003, our board of directors resolved to establish an audit committee as of June 2003, composed of the members of the directors’ committee.

 

The board also resolved that the audit committee must meet at least eight times a year, that the directors’ committee shall meet at least four times a year. This procedure will be reviewed and, if needed, amended at year end.

 

We intend to fully comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the rules issued thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, with respect to the composition and functions of our audit committee.

 

The Disclosure Committee

 

In response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, in May 2003 we also established a disclosure committee that formalizes the tasks necessary to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information disclosed by us to our shareholders and the market. The members of the disclosure committee include our Manager of Investor Relations, our Principal Accounting Officer, our senior in-house counsel in charge of international banking, the Manager of the Risk Control Division, the Manager of the Planning and Research Division, the Manager of the Planning and Research Area and, as needed, persons from our other divisions. These persons have been involved in the drafting of this annual report and are involved in the preparation of our quarterly disclosures.

 

Employees

 

The following table shows the breakdown of our full-time, permanent employees at the dates indicated:

 

     As of December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

Banco de Chile

   4,350    4,052    5,671

Overseas branches and representative offices

   63    55    48

Subsidiaries

   421    428    2,936
    
  
  

Total

   4,834    4,535    8,655
    
  
  

 

At December 31, 2002, we had 8,655 employees (on a consolidated basis) of which 1,736 (20.1%) were unionized. All management positions are held by non-unionized employees. We are party to four collective bargaining agreements (one of which we assumed as part of the merger with Banco A. Edwards) covering our unionized employees. Three collective bargaining agreements were signed in September 2001

 

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and expire in December 2005; the other was signed in January 2003 and expires in December 2006. We have not experienced a strike in the last 10 years and consider relations with our employees to be satisfactory.

 

The increase in the number of our employees during 2002 is primarily the result of the merger with Banco de A. Edwards and the incorporation of Socofin, our new collection services subsidiary, in June 2002.

 

We have a comprehensive personnel training and development program that includes internal courses on operational, technical and commercial subjects as well as participation in external seminars. In 2002, the total cost of training programs was approximately 1.02% of total personnel salaries and expense. We do not maintain any pension or retirement programs for the vast majority of our employees. We do, however, pay certain long-serving key employees a severance payment upon retirement. Although we have, in the past, provided productivity bonuses to individual employees on a discretionary basis, we do not maintain a formal profit-sharing plan.

 

Share Ownership by Directors and Senior Management

 

Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of our board of directors since January 2, 2002, controls Ever I Bae S.A., Inversiones Aspen Ltda., Inversiones Interover S.A. and J. Ergas Inversiones y Rentas Ltda. These holding companies own 4.92%, 1.60%, 0.04% and 0.58% of our outstanding shares, respectively. The shares owned by Mr. Ergas do not have preferential voting rights.

 

None of our other directors or members of senior management owns 1% or more of our outstanding common stock. Our directors and senior managers do not have different or preferential voting rights with respect to those shares they own.

 

We do not have any arrangements for involving employees in our capital, including any arrangements that involve the issue or grant of options of our shares or securities.

 

Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our shares as of June 18, 2003 for the following:

 

    each person or entity who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding share capital or voting power; and

 

    our directors and members of our executive management group, as a group.

 

The calculation of percentages in the “Percentage of Outstanding Shares” column in the table below is based upon the number of our ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of June 18, 2003. There are no shares subject to options.

 

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Name


  Shares
Beneficially
Owned


  Percentage
of Shares


    Shares Owned
of Record


  Percentage of
Outstanding
Shares


    Number of
Votes


  Percentage
of Votes


 

L.Q. Inversiones Financieras S.A.

  —     —       13,762,345,978   20.22 %   34,228,775,667   50.28 %

Inversiones L.Q.-SM S.A.(1)

  —     —       —     —       1,277,323,323   1.88  

Ever I Bae S.A.(2)

  —     —       3,352,452,374   4.92     3,352,452,374   4.92  

Inversiones Aspen Ltda(2)

  —     —       1,093,065,478   1.60     1,093,065,478   1.60  

J. Ergas Inversiones y Rentas Ltda.(2)

  —     —       392,034,250   0.58     392,034,250   0.58  

Inversiones Interover S.A.

  —     —       24,770,287   0.04     24,770,287   0.04  

SM-Chile S.A.(3)

  41,175,754,216   60.48 %   12,582,052,427   18.48     —     —    

Sociedad Administradora de la Obligacion Subordinada SAOS S.A.(3)

  —     —       28,593,701,789   42.00     —     —    

Directors and executive officers as a group (27 persons)

  —     —       31,132,641   0.05     103,534,708   0.15  

Other shareholders

  26,904,029,389   39.52     8,248,228,381   12.11     27,607,827,518   40.55  
   
 

 
 

 
 

Total

  68,079,783,605   100.00 %   68,079,783,605   100.00 %   68,079,783,605   100.00 %
   
 

 
 

 
 


(1)   Inversiones L.Q.-SM S.A. is a wholly owned subsidiary of L.Q. Inversiones Financieras S.A.
(2)   Ever I Bae S.A., Inversiones Aspen Ltda., J. Ergas Inversiones y Rentas Ltda. and Inversiones Interover S.A. are holding companies under the control of Mr. Jacob Ergas.
(3)   The sum of the shares directly held by SAOS and SM-Chile equals the amount of shares beneficially owned by SM-Chile because SM-Chile is the parent company of SAOS.

 

Quiñenco began acquiring our shares in 1999, and as of December 31, 1999 it had a 3.8% interest through shares it held directly and through SM-Chile, Quiñenco continued to acquire shares during 2000, and as of December 31, 2000, L.Q. Inversiones Financieras, its wholly owned subsidiary, held 12.3% of our shares.

 

On December 14, 2000, Quiñenco announced that it had entered into a preliminary agreement with our controlling shareholder group, led by Empresas Penta, to acquire, through its wholly owned subsidiary L.Q. Inversiones Financieras, an additional 35.8% interest in us for UF 19,766,052 (equivalent to U.S.$541.3 million on the announcement date). The acquisition was completed on March 27, 2001, as stated below.

 

On February 6, 2001, Quiñenco launched a tender offer on the Chilean Stock Exchange to acquire 5% of the outstanding shares of SM-Chile. The tender offer was successfully concluded on February 28, 2001. The shares purchased included 28.4 million of SM-Chile’s Series A shares, 550 million of SM-Chile’s Series B shares, 21.5 million of SM-Chile’s Series D shares and 29.3 million of SM-Chile’s Series E shares. The shares acquired during the tender offer represented 5% of the outstanding shares of each series of SM-Chile. The acquisition cost associated with the share purchase amounted to Ch$36,212 million (nominal).

 

On March 27, 2001, Quiñenco, through L.Q. Inversiones Financieras, acquired an additional 35.8% interest in us, pursuant to a purchase agreement between Quiñenco and our controlling shareholder group dated February 2, 2001. Quiñenco’s interest was acquired through the purchase of our shares and those of SM-Chile. The shares purchased included:

 

    1,466.8 million of our ordinary shares, which represented 3.3% of our outstanding shares;

 

    79.5 million shares of SM-Chile’s Series A shares, which represent 14.0% of the outstanding shares of SM-Chile;

 

    4,144.1 million shares of SM-Chile’s Series B shares, which represent 37.7% of the outstanding shares of SM-Chile;

 

    90.7 million shares of SM-Chile’s Series D shares, which represent 21.1% of the outstanding shares of SM-Chile; and

 

    18.6 million shares of SM-Chile’s Series E shares, which represent 3.2% of the outstanding shares of SM-Chile.

 

The total purchase price was Ch$304,128 million (nominal).

 

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Combined with the prior share purchases carried out in 1999 and 2000, Quiñenco’s aggregate interest in us as of March 27, 2001 reached 52.7%. As a result, L.Q. Inversiones Financieras became our largest shareholder and is represented by five of our eleven directors. After our merger with Banco de A. Edwards, L.Q. Inversiones Financieras holds a 52.16% voting interest in us.

 

At an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on December 16, 2001, our shareholders approved the merger with Banco de A. Edwards. Banco de A. Edwards merged into us, and we acquired all the assets and assumed all the liabilities of Banco de A. Edwards, and incorporated all of the equity and shareholders of that bank. As part of the merger, we issued 23,147,126,425 shares, without par value, that were distributed to Banco de A. Edwards’ shareholders at a rate of 3.135826295 of our shares for each Banco de A. Edwards share.

 

On August 26, 2002, L.Q. Inversiones Financieras transferred to its wholly owned subsidiary, Inversiones L.Q.-SM S.A., 377,528,973 shares of SM-Chile’s Series A shares, which represent 3.0% of the outstanding shares of SM-Chile, at a price of Ch$20.451 per share. The acquisition cost associated with the share transfer amounted to Ch$7,720 million (nominal).

 

All shareholders have the same voting rights.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

In the ordinary course of our business, we engage in a variety of transactions with certain of our affiliates and related parties. Financial information concerning these transactions is set forth in note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The Chilean Corporations Law requires that our transactions with related parties be on a market basis or on similar terms to those customarily prevailing in the market. We are required to compare the terms of any such transaction to those prevailing in the market at the date the transaction is to be entered into. Directors of companies that violate this provision are liable for losses resulting from such violations.

 

In addition, the Chilean Corporations Law provides that any transaction by a director with a company in which that director has a personal interest or is acting on behalf of a third party must be previously approved by the board of directors, which will do so only when it has been informed of the director’s interest and is satisfied that the terms of such transaction are similar to those prevailing in the market. If the proposed transaction involves amounts considered to be material, the board must, in order to approve the transaction, previously determine that the transaction is consistent with conditions prevailing in the market. If it is not possible to reach such a judgment, the board may appoint two independent evaluators. The evaluators’ final conclusions must be made available to shareholders and directors for a period of 20 business days, during which shareholders representing 5% or more of the issued voting shares may request the board to call a shareholders’ meeting to resolve the matter, with the agreement of two-thirds of the issued voting shares required for approval. For purposes of this regulation, the law considers that the amount of a proposed transaction is material if (1) it exceeds 1% of the company’s paid-in capital and reserves, (provided that it also exceeds 2,000 UF) or (2) it exceeds 20,000 UF.

 

All resolutions approving such transactions must be reported to the company’s shareholders at the next annual shareholders’ meeting. Violations of this provision may result in administrative or criminal sanctions and civil liability to shareholders or third parties who suffer losses as a result of such violation. We believe that we have complied with the applicable requirements of the Chilean Corporations Law in all transactions with related parties and affirm that we will continue to comply with such requirements. See note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a more detailed accounting of transactions with related parties.

 

As authorized by the General Banking Law, and within the regulatory limits, we hold several outstanding loans owed by different corporations related to us. All such loans (a) were made in the ordinary

 

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course of business, (b) were made on terms, including interest rate and collateral, substantially the same as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and (c) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features. See note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

 

During the course of 2002, we entered into the following related party transactions, all of which were reported to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks:

 

    In June 2002, we acquired 100% of the shares of Promarket from Inmobiliaria El Rosal S.A. and Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada for Ch$282,285 per share. The total aggregate purchase price was Ch$279 million of which Ch$141 million was paid to Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte and Ch$138 million was paid to Inmobiliaria El Rosal. At the time of the purchase, Inmobiliaria El Rosal was owned by Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of our board of directors, and Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte was owned by Quiñenco.

 

    In June 2002, we acquired 100% of the shares in Baned Servicios Especializados S.A. from Inmobiliaria El Rosal, Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte and Inversiones El Norte y El Rosal S.A. for Ch$30,900 per share. The total aggregate purchase price was Ch$309 million, of which Ch$1.5 million was paid to Inmobiliaria El Rosal, Ch$1.5 million was paid to Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte and Ch$306 million was paid to Inversiones El Norte y El Rosal. Baned Servicios Especializados subsequently changed its name to Socofin. At the time of the purchase, Inmobiliaria El Rosal was owned by Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of our board of directors. Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada was owned by Quiñenco and Inversiones El Norte y El Rosal was owned by Quiñenco and Mr. Jacob Ergas;

 

    In August 2002, we, as successor of Banco de A. Edwards, and Inversiones Vita S.A., Inersa S.A. and Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada, amended a preliminary purchase agreement dated November 9, 2000, which had been entered into in connection with the purchase of 100% of the shares of Banchile Seguros de Vida. According to this agreement, we will be allowed to purchase those shares at market conditions if the General Banking Law is amended in the future to allow banks to own insurance companies. Inversiones Vita is beneficially owned by Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of our board of directors. Inersa is beneficially owned by Mr. Andronico Luksic, the Vice Chairman of our board of directors. Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada is owned by Quiñenco.

 

    In August 2002, we, along with Banchile Corredores de Serguros Limitada and Banchile Seguros de Vida, amended several provisions of a master agreement, distribution agreement and collection agreement executed by Banco de A. Edwards, Banedwards Corredora de Seguros Limitada and Banedwards Compañia de Seguros S.A., respectively. Under the terms of the amendment, the parties agreed to extend the term of the agreements until December 31, 2011. Banchile Seguros de Vida is beneficially owned by Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of our board of directors, and by Mr. Andronico Luksic, the Vice Chairman of our board of directors;

 

    In November 2002, we executed an amendment to our agreement with Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. relating to data transmission, private telephone communication services and other additional services for branch network. The amendment affected the description of services and amount of fees according to our new requirements and structure following our merger with Banco de A. Edwards. Our expenses for telephone services under this agreement amounted to Ch$1,137 million in 2001 and Ch$2,617 million in 2002. Quiñenco has a passive investment interest in Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones.

 

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Item 8. Financial Information

 

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Please refer to “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are subject to claims and are a party to legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of business.

 

Like other institutions in the Chilean financial system, two of our subsidiaries, Banchile Administradora General de Fondos and Banchile Corredores de Bolsa, may face allegations in connection with the Corfo-Inverlink case as a result of time deposits they acquired. Our subsidiaries used the time deposits as investments for the account of their administered funds and for their own account. As of March 7, 2003, the amount of such time deposits held by our subsidiaries totaled Ch$3,850 million. If proceedings are initiated against our subsidiaries, and a final judgment is entered declaring that those time deposits were illegally acquired, they may be required to reimburse Corfo for these amounts. While no proceedings have been initiated, any future potential litigation will contain an element of uncertainty. However, we do not believe that liabilities, if any, related to these claims and eventual proceedings are likely to have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are a party to any legal or governmental proceeding that is pending or, to our knowledge, threatened or contemplated against us or any of our subsidiaries such that, if determined adversely to us or any of our subsidiaries, would have a materially adverse effect, either individually or in the aggregate, on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Dividends

 

The dividends on our shares are proposed by our board of directors and are approved by our shareholders at the annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting following the year with respect to which the dividends are proposed. Our annual ordinary shareholders’ meeting is held in the first three months of each year. Following shareholder approval, the dividends are declared and paid. Dividends are paid to shareholders of record on the fifth business day preceding the date set for payment of the dividend. The applicable record dates for the payment of dividends to holders of our ADSs are, to the extent practicable, the same. Under the Chilean Corporations Law and regulations issued thereunder, Chilean public corporations are generally required to distribute at least 30% of their earnings as dividends, but a bank is permitted to distribute less than such minimum amount in any given year if the holders of at least two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding stock so determine. Under the General Banking Law, a Chilean bank may only pay a single dividend per year (i.e. interim dividends are not permitted). It is our current policy to pay 100% of our earnings as dividends.

 

Our dividend policy is affected to some extent by the rights of SAOS, our affiliate, pursuant to its assumption of the Central Bank indebtedness discussed in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Introduction—Central Bank Subordinated Debt.”

 

We currently have one class of capital shares. In March 2003, we paid a dividend of Ch$2.00 per share.

 

Dividends payable to holders of our ADSs are net of conversion expenses of the depositary and are subject to Chilean withholding tax currently at the rate of 35%, subject to certain credits. Owners of our ADSs are not charged any fees with respect to cash or stock dividends.

 

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Pursuant to current Chilean foreign exchange regulations, a shareholder who is not a resident of Chile need not register as a foreign investor in order to receive dividends, sale proceeds or other amounts with respect to its shares remitted outside Chile, but the investor must inform the Central Bank about any such transactions and must remit foreign currency through the Formal Exchange Market. Under the foreign investment contract, the depositary, on behalf of our ADS holders, will be granted access to the Formal Exchange Market to convert cash dividends from Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars and to pay such U.S. dollars to ADS holders outside Chile.

 

The following table sets forth the cash dividends declared on each share of our common stock and per ADS during the periods indicated:

 

     As of and for the Year Ended December 31,

     1998

   1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

   2002

     (in constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)    (in U.S.$)

Dividend per common share(1)

   1.85    1.20    2.00    1.93    2.00    0.0028

Dividend per F shares(1)

   n.a.    n.a.    n.a.    n.a.    0.45    0.0006

Dividends per ADS of F shares(1) (2)

   n.a.    n.a.    n.a.    n.a.    270.00    0.3790

Dividend per Banco de A. Edwards shares(1)

   2.31    1.75    —      0.23    n.a.    n.a.

Dividends per ADS of Banco de A. Edwards(1) (3)

   381.15    288.75    —      37.95    n.a.    n.a.

Note:   n.a. = not applicable.
(1)   Dividends per share and per ADS data are calculated dividing paid by the weighted average of shares outstanding during the year.
(2)   Calculated on the basis of 600 shares per ADS.
(3)   Calculated on the basis of 165 shares per ADS.

 

In 2002, as a consequence of the merger, we paid a dividend to holders of our common shares and to holders of F shares. Once the dividends were paid, the F shares were converted into common shares.

 

Whether future dividends will be paid will depend upon our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, governmental regulations and policies and other factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that dividends in future years will be paid at a rate similar to dividends paid in past years.

 

Significant Changes

 

No significant changes in our financial condition have occurred since the date of the most recent audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

 

Item 9. The Offer and The Listing

 

Nature of Trading Market

 

Shares of our common stock are traded on the Chilean stock exchanges. They have been listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange since1894, on the Electronic Stock Exchange since 1989 and on the Valparaiso Stock Exchange since 1894. The Santiago Stock Exchange is the principal trading market for our shares.

 

The Chilean securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than major securities markets in the United States. The Santiago Stock Exchange, which is Chile’s principal exchange, had a market capitalization of approximately U.S.$48.1 billion as of December 31, 2002 and an average monthly trading volume of approximately U.S.$287 million for 2002. The Santiago Stock Exchange was established in 1893 and is a private company whose equity consists of 48 shares held by 46 shareholders. As of December 31, 2002, 245 series of shares were listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange.

 

The Santiago Stock Exchange accounts for approximately 72.6 % of all amounts traded in Chile. The ten largest companies in terms of market capitalization represented, as of December 31, 2002, approximately 47.1% of the Santiago Stock Exchange’s aggregate market capitalization and during 2002 accounted for

 

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approximately 40.5% of its total volume. During 2002, 18.5% of the companies listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange had their shares traded on an average of 70% or more of the exchange’s trading days. Approximately 25.9% of equity trading in Chile is conducted on the Chilean Electronic Stock Exchange, an electronic trading market which was created by banks and non-member brokerage houses. The remaining 1.5% of equity is traded on the Valparaiso Stock Exchange.

 

American Depositary Shares, each representing 600 shares of common stock, without nominal (par) value, have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since January 2, 2002 under the symbol “BCH.” JPMorgan Chase Bank is our depositary for purposes of issuing the American Depositary Receipts evidencing our American Depositary Shares. As of December 31, 2002, a maximum of 1,568,502 ADSs were outstanding (equivalent to 941,101,200 shares of common stock or 1.38% of the total number of issued shares of common stock). It is not practicable for us to determine the proportion of ADSs beneficially owned by U.S. persons. 99.9% of record holders’ addresses are in the United States. Since certain of our American Depositary Shares are held by brokers or other nominees, the number of direct record holders in the United States may not be fully indicative of the number of direct beneficial owners in the United States or of where the direct beneficial owners of such shares are resident.

 

We listed our shares on the Latin American Stock Exchange of the Madrid Stock Exchange LATIBEX, and trading of our shares started on that exchange on October 8, 2002 under the code XBCH, grouped in trading units of 600 shares. In addition, since December 20, 2002, our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

 

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The table below shows, for the periods indicated, the annual, quarterly and monthly high and low closing prices (in nominal Chilean pesos) of the shares of our securities on the Santiago Stock Exchange, the Electronic Stock Exchange, and the Valparaiso Stock Exchange:

 

     Santiago Stock Exchange

   Electronic Stock Exchange

   Valparaiso Stock Exchange

 
     Common Stock

   Common Stock

   Common Stock

 
     High

   Low

   High

   Low

   High

    Low

 
     (Ch$ per share )(1)    (Ch$ per share )(1)    (Ch$ per share )(1)  

Annual Price History

                                

1998

   22.0    9.9    21.5    10.0    19.6     10.0  

1999

   25.0    11.5    25.0    11.9    24.9     11.8  

2000

   27.0    21.0    26.0    21.0    26.0     21.0  

2001

   28.0    21.7    28.0    21.6    28.0     21.6  

2002

   26.0    16.8    25.2    16.5    25.0     17.0  

Quarterly Price History

                                

2001

                                

1st Quarter

   26.0    21.7    26.0    21.6    26.0     21.6  

2nd Quarter

   28.0    23.2    28.0    23.1    28.0     23.1  

3rd Quarter

   28.0    23.0    28.0    23.0    28.0     23.5  

4th Quarter

   26.5    22.7    26.0    22.7    26.0     22.8  

2002

                                

1st Quarter

   26.0    20.0    25.2    20.5    25.0     20.1  

2nd Quarter

   19.9    18.1    20.0    18.0    19.5     18.6  

3rd Quarter

   18.7    16.8    18.7    16.5    18.7     17.0  

4th Quarter

   19.8    17.9    19.5    17.9    19.8     18.0  

2003

                                

1st Quarter

   22.5    19.2    22.5    19.2    22.1     20.3  

Monthly Price History

                                

December 2002

   19.8    18.3    19.5    18.5    19.8     18.7  

January 2003

   21.7    19.2    21.6    19.2    21.7     20.3  

February 2003

   22.1    21.2    22.2    21.2    21.8     21.7  

March 2003

   22.5    20.8    22.5    20.5    22.1     20.7  

April 2003

   23.5    20.7    23.5    20.8    22.5     20.8  

May 2003

   24.6    23.3    25.0    23.3       (2)      (2)

Sources:   Santiago Stock Exchange, Electronic Stock Exchange, Valparaiso Stock Exchange—Official Quotation Bulletin.
(1)   Pesos per share reflect nominal price at trade date.
(2)   May 2003 high and low closing prices information for the Valparaiso Stock Exchange is not available given the low volume of our shares traded on that exchange.

 

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The table below shows the annual, quarterly and monthly high and low closing prices in U.S. dollars and in Euros, respectively, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Madrid Stock Exchange (LATIBEX):

 

     New York Stock Exchange

   Madrid Stock Exchange
(LATIBEX)


     ADS(1)

   Trading Units(2)

     High

   Low

   High

   Low

     (U.S.$ per ADS)    (Euro$ per Trading Unit)

Annual Price History

                   

2002

   20.30    14.39    16.67    14.90

Quarterly Price History

                   

2002

                   

1st Quarter

   20.30    15.75    n.a.    n.a.

2nd Quarter

   18.10    15.82    n.a.    n.a.

3rd Quarter

   16.20    14.39    n.a.    n.a.

4th Quarter

   17.10    14.45    16.67    14.90

2003

                   

1st Quarter

   18.15    15.91    16.80    15.26

Monthly Price History

                   

December 2002

   17.10    15.45    16.67    15.41

January 2003

   18.00    15.91    16.80    15.26

February 2003

   18.15    16.60    16.80    15.50

March 2003

   17.90    16.85    16.60    15.50

April 2003

   19.98    17.29    18.10    15.81

May 2003

   21.48    19.70    18.36    17.02

Sources:   New York Stock Exchange and Madrid Stock Exchange—Official Quotation Bulletin.
Note:   n.a.—not applicable; trading units first listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange on October 8, 2002.
(1)   Price per ADS in U.S.$; one ADS represents 600 shares of common stock.
(2)   Price per Trading Unit in Euro$: One Trading Unit represents 600 shares of common stock.

 

We have been subjected to three trading suspensions since 2000. On December 4, 2000, trading was suspended on the Santiago Stock Exchange for two and a half hours due to a 26.32% increase in the price of our shares of common stock. Trading was subsequently suspended for the remainder of the day on December 4, 2000, until noon on December 5, 2000 as a result of Resolution 351 of the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, which requested information from Empresas Penta and Quiñenco regarding the change in their direct and beneficial ownership interest in us. Trading was also suspended on the Santiago Stock Exchange on January 2, 2001 until 10:00 a.m. on January 3, 2001. This suspension was the result of a report by Reuters that L.Q. Inversiones had requested authorization from the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance to acquire an additional 25% stake in SM-Chile. Trading in our securities has not been suspended since January 3, 2001.

 

Item 10. Additional Information

 

Set forth below is a brief summary of the significant provisions of our bylaws, or estatutos and Chilean law. This description contains all material information concerning our shares, but does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our estatutos (a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to this annual report), the General Banking Law, the Chilean Corporations Law and the Ley de Mercado de Valores No. 18,045, or the Securities Market Law. For a description of the provisions of our estatutos related to our board of directors and our audit committee, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees” and for those related to our dividends, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividends.”

 

We are an open stock (public) corporation. Open stock (public) corporations are those with 500 or more shareholders, or companies in which 100 or more shareholders own at least 10% of the subscribed capital

 

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(excluding those whose individual holdings exceed 10%), and all other companies that are registered in the Securities Registry of the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance. The Chilean Corporations Law sets forth the rules and requirements for establishing open stock corporations. Shareholder rights in a Chilean bank that is also an open stock corporation are governed by the bank’s estatutos, which effectively serve as both the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of a company incorporated in the United States. Article 137 of the Chilean Corporations Law provides that all provisions of the Chilean Corporations Law take precedence over any contrary provision in a corporation’s estatutos. Both the Chilean Corporations Law and our estatutos provide that legal actions by shareholders against us (or our officers or directors) to enforce their rights as shareholders or by one shareholder against another in their capacity as such are to be brought in Chile in arbitration proceedings.

 

The Chilean securities markets are principally regulated by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance under the Securities Market Law and the Chilean Corporations Law. In the case of banks, compliance with these laws is supervised by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. These two laws provide for disclosure requirements, restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation and protection of minority investors. The Securities Market Law sets forth requirements relating to public offerings, stock exchanges and brokers, and outlines disclosure requirements for companies that issue publicly offered securities.

 

Capitalization

 

There is currently one outstanding series of our capital stock. We have a total of 68,079,783,605 outstanding shares. All of our shares are fully subscribed and paid and there are no legal restrictions on the payment of dividends from our net income, except that we may only pay a single dividend per year (i.e. interim dividends are not permitted). Chilean public corporations are generally required to distribute at least 30% of their earnings as dividends, but a bank is permitted to distribute less than such minimum amount in any given year if the holders of at least two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding stock so determine. All of our shares have full voting rights. As part of our merger with Banco de A. Edwards, Banco de A. Edwards shareholders received “F shares” of Banco de Chile. The F shares had all of the same rights as our common stock, except that they entitled holders to receive dividends in 2002 with respect to Banco de A. Edwards’ 2001 income. Once these dividends were declared and paid, the F shares automatically converted on a one-for-one basis into shares of our common stock. Accordingly, the F shares no longer exist.

 

Under Chilean law, the shareholders of a company, acting at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, have the power to authorize an increase in the company’s capital. When an investor subscribes for issued shares, the shares are registered in such investor’s name, even if not paid for, and the investor is treated as a shareholder for all purposes except with regard to receipt of dividends and the return of capital. The investor becomes eligible to receive dividends or the return of capital once it has paid for the shares; if it has paid for only a portion of such shares, it is entitled to reserve a corresponding pro-rata portion of the dividends declared with respect to such shares unless the company’s bylaws provide otherwise. If an investor does not pay for shares for which it has subscribed on or prior to the date agreed upon for payment, the company is entitled under Chilean law to auction the shares on the stock exchange and collect the difference, if any, between the subscription price and the auction proceeds. However, until such shares are sold at auction, the subscriber continues to exercise all the rights of a shareholder (except the right to receive dividends or the return of capital. In the case of banks, authorized shares and issued shares that have not been paid for within the period fixed for their payment by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks are cancelled and are no longer available for issuance by the company.

 

The Chilean Corporations Law provides that the purchaser of shares of a company implicitly accepts its bylaws and any agreements adopted at shareholders’ meetings.

 

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Ownership Restrictions

 

Under the Securities Market Law and the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, shareholders of open stock corporations are required to report the following to the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance and the Chilean stock exchanges:

 

    any direct or indirect acquisition or sale of shares that results in the holder’s acquiring or disposing of, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of an open stock corporation’s share capital; and

 

    any direct or indirect acquisition or sale of shares or options to buy or sell shares, in any amount, if made by a holder of 10% or more of an open stock corporation’s capital or if made by a director, liquidator, main officer, general manager or manager of such corporation.

 

In addition, any person who acquires 10% or more of our shares must include in the report whether the purpose of the acquisition is to acquire control of us or if he or she is making a financial investment. A beneficial owner of ADSs representing 10% or more of our share capital will be subject to these reporting requirements under Chilean law.

 

According to the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, Chilean banks that issue ADSs are required to inform the Chilean Superintendency of Banks if any person, directly or beneficially, acquires ADSs representing 5% or more of the total amount of shares of capital stock issued by such bank.

 

Under the Securities Market Law and the regulations of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, persons or entities intending to acquire control, directly or indirectly, of an open stock corporation are also required to inform the public of such intention at least 10 business days in advance but in any case, as soon as negotiations regarding the change of control begin (i.e., when information and documents concerning the target are delivered to the potential acquiror) through a filing with the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, the stock exchanges and the companies controlled by and that control the target and through a notice published in two Chilean newspapers, which notice must disclose, among other information, the person or entity purchasing or selling and the price and conditions of any negotiations.

 

Prior to such publication, a written communication to such effect must be sent to the target corporation, to the controlling corporation, to the corporations controlled by the target corporation, to the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance and to the Chilean stock exchanges. Title XV of the Securities Market Law provides the definition of a controlling power, direct holding and related party.

 

The General Banking Law provides that, as a matter of public policy, no person or company may acquire, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the shares of a bank without the prior authorization of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, which may not be unreasonably withheld. The prohibition also applies to beneficial owners of ADSs. In the absence of such authorization, any person or group of persons acting in concert would not be permitted to exercise voting rights with respect to the shares or ADSs acquired. In determining whether to issue such an authorization, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks considers a number of factors enumerated in the General Banking Law, including the financial stability of the purchasing party.

 

The General Banking Law also requires the prior authorization of the Chilean Superintendency of Banks for:

 

    the merger of two or more banks;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The prior authorization is required solely when the acquiring bank or the resulting group of banks would own a significant market share in loans, defined by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks to be more

 

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than 15.0% of all loans in the Chilean banking system. The intended purchase may be denied by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, or may be conditioned on one or more of the following:

 

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

 

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

 

    that the margin for interbank loans be diminished to 20% of the resulting bank’s total capital.

 

The General Banking Law and the regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks create the presumption that natural persons who are holders of shares and who beneficially own more than 1% of the shares are related to the bank and imposes certain restrictions on the amounts and terms of loans to them made by the related bank. This presumption also applies to beneficial owners of ADSs representing more than 1% of the shares.

 

Preemptive Rights and Increases of Share Capital

 

The Chilean Corporations Law provides that whenever a Chilean company issues new shares for cash, it must offer its existing shareholders the right to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentages in the company. Pursuant to this requirement, we will offer preemptive rights in connection with any future issue of shares to the depositary as the registered owner of the shares underlying the ADSs. However, the depositary will not be able to make the preemptive rights available to U.S. holders of ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is effective with respect to the underlying shares or an exemption from the registration requirements thereunder is available.

 

We intend to evaluate, at the time of any preemptive rights offering, the practicality under Chilean law and Central Bank regulations in effect at the time of making such rights available to our ADS holders, as well as the costs and potential liabilities associated with the registration of such rights and the related shares of common stock under the Securities Act, and the indirect benefits to us of thereby enabling the exercise by all or certain U.S. holders of ADSs of their preemptive rights and any other factors we consider appropriate at the time. There can be no assurance that any registration statement would be filed. If we do not file a registration statement and no exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act is available, the depositary will sell such holders’ preemptive rights and distribute the proceeds if a premium can be recognized over the cost of such sale.

 

In the event that the depositary is not able, or determines that it is not feasible, to sell such rights at a premium over the cost of any such sale, all or certain U.S. holders of ADSs may receive no value for such rights. Non-U.S. holders of ADSs may be able to exercise their preemptive rights regardless of whether a registration statement is filed. The inability of all or certain U.S. holders of ADSs to exercise preemptive rights in respect of shares of common stock underlying such ADSs could result in such holders not maintaining their percentage ownership of the common stock following a preemptive rights offering unless the holder made additional market purchases of ADSs or shares of common stock.

 

Under Chilean law, preemptive rights are exercisable or freely transferable by shareholders during a period that cannot be less than 30 days following the grant of such rights. During such period, and for an additional 30-day period thereafter, a Chilean company is not permitted to offer any unsubscribed shares for sale to third parties on more favorable terms than those offered to its shareholders. At the end of such additional 30-day period, a Chilean open stock corporation is authorized to sell unsubscribed shares to third parties on any terms, provided that they are sold on a Chilean stock exchange. Unsubscribed shares that are not sold on a Chilean stock exchange can be sold to third parties only on terms no more favorable to the purchaser than those offered to shareholders.

 

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Shareholders’ Meetings and Voting Rights

 

An ordinary annual meeting of shareholders is held within the first three months of each year, generally in March. The ordinary annual meeting of shareholders is the corporate body that approves the annual financial statements, all dividends in accordance with the dividend policy determined by our board of directors and any other matter that does not require an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting and elects our board of directors. The last ordinary annual meeting of our shareholders was held on March 20, 2003. Extraordinary meetings may be called by our board of directors when deemed appropriate, and ordinary or extraordinary meetings must be called by our board of directors when requested by shareholders representing at least 10% of the issued voting shares or by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks.

 

Notice to convene the ordinary annual meeting or an extraordinary meeting is given by means of three notices that must be published in a newspaper of our corporate domicile (currently Santiago, Chile) or in the Official Gazette in a prescribed manner, and the first notice must be published not less than 15 calendar days nor more than 20 calendar days in advance of the scheduled meeting. Notice must also be given to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and the Santiago, Valparaiso and Electronic Stock Exchanges. Currently, we publish our official notices in the Diario El Mercurio.

 

The notice of a shareholders’ meeting must be mailed not fewer than 15 calendar days prior to the date of such meeting and, in the case of an ordinary annual shareholders’ meeting, shareholders holding a prescribed minimum investment must be sent an annual report of our activities which includes audited consolidated financial statements. Shareholders who do not fall into this category but who request it must also be sent a copy of our annual report. In addition to these requirements, we regularly provide, and management currently intends to continue to provide, together with the notice of shareholders’ meeting, a proposal for the final annual dividend.

 

The quorum for a shareholders’ meeting is established by the presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders representing at least an absolute majority of the issued shares; if a quorum is not present at the first meeting on first call, the meeting can be reconvened (in accordance with the procedures described in the previous paragraph) and, upon the meeting being reconvened, shareholders present at the reconvened meeting are deemed to constitute a quorum regardless of the percentage of the shares represented.

 

The shareholders’ meetings pass resolutions by the affirmative vote of an absolute majority of those voting shares present or represented at the meeting. A vote by a two-thirds majority of the issued shares, however, required at any shareholders’ meeting to approve any of the following actions:

 

    a change in corporate form, merger or spin-off;

 

    an amendment to our term of existence or early dissolution;

 

    a change in corporate domicile;

 

    a decrease of corporate capital;

 

    the approval of capital contributions in kind and a valuation of the assets contributed;

 

    a modification of the powers of shareholders or limitations on the powers of our board of directors;

 

    a reduction in the number of members of our board of directors;

 

    the transfer of 50% or more of the corporate assets or the formation or amendment of any business plan that contemplates the transfer of 50% or more of our corporate assets;

 

    any non-cash distribution in respect of the shares;

 

    the granting of guarantees to secure third-party obligations in excess of 50% of our corporate assets, unless granted to a subsidiary; or

 

    the repurchase of shares.

 

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Shareholders may cumulate their votes for the election of directors and cast the same in favor of one person.

 

In general, Chilean law does not require a Chilean open stock corporation to provide the level and type of information that U.S. securities laws require a reporting company to provide to its shareholders in connection with a solicitation of proxies. Shareholders are entitled to examine the books of a company within the 15-day period before its ordinary annual meeting.

 

The Chilean Corporations Law provides that whenever shareholders representing 10% or more of the issued voting shares so request, a Chilean company’s annual report must include, in addition to the materials provided by the board of directors to shareholders, any shareholders’ comments and proposals in relation to the company’s affairs. Similarly, the Chilean Corporations Law provides that whenever the board of directors of an open stock corporation convenes an ordinary meeting of the shareholders and solicits proxies for that meeting, or distributes information supporting its decisions or other similar material, it is obligated to include as an annex to its annual report any pertinent comments and proposals that may have been made by shareholders owning 10% or more of the company’s voting shares who have requested that such comments and proposals be included.

 

Only shareholders registered as such with us on the fifth business day prior to the date of a meeting are entitled to attend and vote their shares. A shareholder may appoint another individual (who need not be a shareholder) as his proxy to attend and vote on his behalf. Every shareholder entitled to attend and vote at a shareholders’ meeting has one vote for every share subscribed.

 

Dividend, Liquidation and Appraisal Rights

 

Under the Chilean Corporations Law, Chilean companies are generally required to distribute at least 30% of their earnings as dividends. However, under the General Banking Law, banks are permitted to distribute less than such minimum amount in any given year if holders of at least two-thirds of the bank’s common stock so determine. In the event of any loss of capital or decrease in the legal reserve, no dividends can be distributed until the loss is recovered. Also, a bank cannot distribute dividends above the legal minimum if doing so would result in the bank exceeding its maximum indebtedness ratio or its lending limits. See “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividends.”

 

Dividends that are declared but not paid by the date set for payment at the time of declaration are adjusted from the date set for payment to the date they are actually paid, and interest is accrued thereon. The right to receive a dividend lapses if it is not claimed within five years from the date the dividend is payable.

 

We may declare a dividend in cash or in shares. When a share dividend is declared above the legal minimum (which minimum must be paid in cash), our shareholders must be given the option to elect to receive cash. A U.S. holder of our ADSs may, in the absence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an available exemption from the registration requirement thereunder, effectively be required to receive a dividend in cash. See “—Preemptive Rights and Increases of Share Capital.”

 

In the event of our liquidation, the holders of our fully paid shares would participate equally and ratably, in proportion to the number of paid-in shares held by them, in our assets available after payment of all our creditors.

 

In accordance with the General Banking Law, our shareholders would have no appraisal rights in the event of a business combination or otherwise.

 

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Approval of Financial Statements

 

Our board of directors is required to submit our audited consolidated financial statements to the shareholders annually for their approval. The approval or rejection of the financial statements is entirely within our shareholders’ discretion. If our shareholders reject our financial statements, our board of directors must submit new financial statements not later than 60 calendar days from the date of the rejection. If our shareholders reject our new financial statements, our entire board of directors is deemed removed from office and a new board of directors is elected at the same meeting. Directors who individually approved our financial statements are disqualified from running for re-election for the ensuing period.

 

Registrations and Transfers

 

We act as our own registrar and transfer agent, as is customary among Chilean companies. In the case of jointly owned shares, an attorney-in-fact must be appointed to represent the joint owners in dealings with us.

 

Amendments to the Chilean Securities Laws and Chilean Corporations Law

 

On December 20, 2000, the Chilean Congress enacted Law No. 19,705, which amended the Securities Market Law and the Chilean Corporations Law. Among the amendments introduced, Law No. 19,705 established that certain transactions may only be performed via a tender offer. In particular, the acquisition of shares with the intention of obtaining control of an open stock corporation, an offer to buy shares representative of 3% or more of the outstanding shares after obtaining control of an open stock corporation and the sale of shares by controlling shareholders when the price paid is substantially higher than the market price must all be performed by means of a tender offer. According to the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, a price should be deemed substantially higher than the market price when it is 10% higher than the average market price for a period starting 90 calendar days and ending 30 calendar days before the proposed transaction.

 

The amendments introduced to the Chilean Corporations Law by the enactment of Law No. 19,705 also established that:

 

    open stock corporations must create directors committees with the power to revise and approve transactions when the interest of the controlling shareholders is involved in those transactions. A majority of the committee’s members must be independent directors, if there are any;

 

    open stock corporations can offer stock options to their officers and employees when their general shareholders’ meeting approves an increase of capital with the issuance of new shares, within a limit of 10% of the new shares issued;

 

    open stock corporations can buy back their own shares with a limit of 5% of the paid-in capital and reserves;

 

    mutual funds, as shareholders, can vote for the company’s board of directors, but they cannot vote for a member of the board who is related to the controlling shareholders of the company; and

 

    directors and shareholders who hold 5% or more of the outstanding shares have the right to sue for indemnification on behalf of the company for any damages that the company may suffer as a result of a third party’s actions.

 

 

MATERIAL CONTRACTS

 

On October 3, 2001, we entered into a merger agreement with Banco de A. Edwards. The merger agreement set forth the steps necessary for the merger, such as shareholder approval at a general extraordinary shareholders’ meetings and the approval by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks. The merger agreement also required that we establish an ADR program and list those securities on the New York Stock Exchange. It also provided for that the equity contribution of Banco de A. Edwards to be equivalent to 34% of the merged bank, so that the shareholders of Banco de A. Edwards would have the right to receive 3.135826295 shares of

 

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Banco de Chile for each share of Banco de A. Edwards that they held. On December 6 and December 18, 2001 the general extraordinary shareholders’ meetings of Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards, respectively, approved the terms and conditions of the merger, effective as of January 1, 2002.

 

 

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

 

The Central Bank is responsible for, among other things, monetary policies and exchange controls in Chile. Appropriate registration of a foreign investment in Chile grants the investor access to the Formal Exchange Market. Foreign investments can be registered with the Foreign Investment Committee under Decree Law No. 600 or can be registered with the Central Bank under the Central Bank Act. The Central Bank Act is an organic constitutional law requiring a “special majority” vote of the Chilean Congress to be modified.

 

On April 16, 2001, the Central Bank agreed that, effective April 19, 2001:

 

    the prior foreign exchange restrictions would be eliminated; and

 

    a new Compendio de Normas de Cambios Internacionales, or Compendium of Foreign Exchange Regulations, would be applied.

 

The main objective of this change, as declared by the Central Bank, is to facilitate capital movements from and into Chile and encourage foreign investment.

 

The following specific restrictions were eliminated:

 

    a reserve requirement with the Central Bank for a period of one year. This mandatory reserve was previously imposed on foreign loans and funds brought into Chile to purchase shares other than those acquired in the establishment of a new company or in the capital increase of the issuing company. This reserve requirement was decreased from 30% to 0% of the proposed investment on September 16, 1998;

 

    the requirement for prior approval by the Central Bank for certain operations, such as repatriation of investments and payments to foreign creditors;

 

    the mandatory return of foreign currencies to Chile; and

 

    the mandatory conversion of foreign currencies into Chilean pesos.

 

Under the new regulations, only the following limitations are applicable to these operations:

 

    the Central Bank must be provided with information related to certain operations, such as foreign investments and foreign credits; and

 

    certain operations, such as money transfers to and from Chile must be conducted within the Formal Exchange Market.

 

The Central Bank also eliminated Chapter XXVI of the “Compendium of Foreign Exchange Regulations,” which regulated the establishment of an ADR facility by a Chilean company. According to the new rules, it is not necessary to seek the Central Bank’s prior approval in order to establish an ADR facility. The establishment of an ADR facility is now regarded as an ordinary foreign investment. The establishment of an ADR facility now simply requires that the Central Bank be informed of the transaction, and that the transaction be conducted exclusively through the Formal Exchange Market.

 

Foreign Investment Contract

 

We are a party, as legal successor of Banco de A. Edwards, to the currently existing foreign investment contract with the Central Bank and the depositary (a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-14020) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission

 

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on October 18, 2001). Absent the foreign investment contract, under applicable Chilean exchange controls, investors would not be granted access to the Formal Exchange Market for the purpose of converting pesos to U.S. dollars and repatriating from Chile amounts received with respect to deposited shares or shares withdrawn from deposit on surrender of ADSs (including amounts received as cash dividends and proceeds from the sale in Chile of the underlying shares and any rights arising therefrom).

 

The following is a summary of the material provisions of the foreign investment contract. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the foreign investment contract. Under the foreign investment contract, the Central Bank agrees to grant to the depositary, on behalf of ADR holders, and to any investor not residing or domiciled in Chile who withdraws shares upon delivery of ADRs (we refer to such shares as withdrawn shares), access to the Formal Exchange Market to convert pesos to U.S. dollars (and remit such U.S. dollars outside of Chile) in respect of shares represented by ADSs or withdrawn shares, including amounts received as:

 

    cash dividends;

 

    proceeds from the sale in Chile of withdrawn shares (subject to receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the holder of the withdrawn shares (or from an institution authorized by the Central Bank) that such holder’s residence and domicile are outside Chile and a certificate from a Chilean stock exchange (or from a brokerage or securities firm established in Chile) that such withdrawn shares were sold on a Chilean stock exchange);

 

    proceeds from the sale in Chile of rights to subscribe for additional shares;

 

    proceeds from our liquidation, merger or consolidation; and

 

    other distributions, including without limitation those resulting from any recapitalization as a result of holding shares represented by ADSs or withdrawn shares.

 

Transferees of withdrawn shares will not be entitled to any of the foregoing rights unless the withdrawn shares are redeposited with the depositary. Investors receiving withdrawn shares in exchange for ADRs will have the right to redeposit such shares in exchange for ADRs, provided that the conditions to redeposit are satisfied.

 

The foreign investment contract provides that a person who brings foreign currency into Chile to purchase shares with the benefit of the foreign investment contract must convert the foreign currency into pesos on the same date as the foreign currency is brought into Chile and then has five banking business days within which to invest the currency in shares in order to receive the benefits of the foreign investment contract. If the person decides within that period not to acquire shares, he or she can access the formal exchange market to reacquire dollars, provided that the applicable request is presented to the Central Bank within seven baking business days of the initial conversion into pesos. Shares acquired as described above may be deposited for ADSs and receive the benefits of the foreign investment contract, subject to:

 

    receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the depositary that such deposit has been effected and that the related ADRs have been issued; and

 

    receipt by the custodian of a declaration from the person making such deposit waiving the benefits of the foreign investment contract with respect to the deposited shares.

 

Access to the Formal Exchange Market under any of the circumstances described above is not automatic. Such access requires approval of the Central Bank based on a request presented through a banking institution established in Chile. The foreign investment contract provides that if the Central Bank has not acted on the request within seven banking days, the request will be deemed approved.

 

Under current Chilean law, the foreign investment contract cannot be changed unilaterally by the Central Bank, and there are judicial precedents (which are not binding with respect to future judicial decisions) indicating that the foreign investment contract may not be abrogated by future legislative changes. There can be no assurance, however, that additional Chilean restrictions applicable to the holders of ADRs, the

 

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disposition of underlying shares or the repatriation of the proceeds from such disposition could not be imposed in the future, nor can we assess the duration or impact of such restrictions if imposed.

 

 

TAXATION

 

Chilean Tax Considerations

 

The following discussion is based on certain Chilean income tax laws presently in force, including Ruling No. 324 of January 29, 1990 of the Servicio de Impuestos Internos, or the Chilean Internal Revenue Service, and other applicable regulations and rulings. The discussion summarizes the principal Chilean income tax consequences of an investment in ADSs or shares of common stock by an individual who is not domiciled in, or a resident of, Chile or a legal entity that is not organized under the laws of Chile and does not have a permanent establishment located in Chile, which we refer to as a foreign holder. For purposes of Chilean tax law, an individual holder is a resident of Chile if he or she has resided in Chile for more than six consecutive months in one calendar year or for a total of more than six months, whether consecutive or not, in two consecutive tax years. An individual holder is domiciled in Chile if he or she resides in Chile with the purpose of staying in Chile (such purpose to be evidenced by circumstances such as the acceptance of employment within Chile or the relocation of his or her family to Chile). This discussion is not intended as tax advice to any particular investor, which can be rendered only in light of that investor’s particular tax situation.

 

Under Chilean law, provisions contained in statutes such as tax rates applicable to foreign holders, the computation of taxable income for Chilean purposes and the manner in which Chilean taxes are imposed and collected may be amended only by another statute. In addition, the Chilean tax authorities issue rulings and regulations of either general or specific application and interpret the provisions of Chilean tax law. Chilean taxes may not be assessed retroactively against taxpayers who act in good faith relying on such rulings and regulations, but Chilean tax authorities may change rulings and regulations prospectively. There is no general income tax treaty in force between Chile and the United States.

 

Cash Dividends and Other Distributions

 

Cash dividends paid by us with respect to ADSs or shares of common stock held by a foreign holder will be subject to a 35.0% Chilean withholding tax, which is withheld and paid over by us, which we refer to as the Chilean withholding tax. A credit against the Chilean withholding tax is available based on the level of corporate income tax, or first category tax, actually paid on the taxable income to which the dividend is imputed; however, this credit does not reduce the Chilean withholding tax on a one-for-one basis because it also increases the base on which the Chilean withholding tax is imposed. In addition, distribution of book income in excess of retained taxable income is subject to the Chilean withholding tax, but such distribution is not eligible for the credit. Under Chilean income tax law, for purposes of determining the level of the first category tax paid, dividends generally are assumed to have been paid out of oldest retained taxable profits. The effective rate of withholding tax to be imposed on dividends paid by us will vary depending upon the amount of first category tax paid by us on the earnings to which the dividends are attributed. In our case, the amount paid as first category tax is lower than it would be based on our income because the dividends paid to SAOS are accounted for as a cost to us. Presently, the first category tax rate is 16.5%. The first category tax rate will be 17.0% from 2004 onwards. Whether the first category tax is imposed or not, the effective overall combined rate of Chilean taxes imposed with respect to our distributed profits is 35.0%.

 

The foregoing tax consequences apply to cash dividends paid and dividend distributions made in property, other than shares of common stock. Share dividends are not subject to Chilean taxation.

 

Capital Gains

 

Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition by a foreign holder of ADSs (or ADRs evidencing ADSs) will not be subject to Chilean taxation, provided that such disposition occurs outside Chile

 

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or that it is performed under the rules of Title XXIV of the Chilean Securities Market Law, as amended by Law No. 19,601. The deposit and withdrawal of shares of common stock in exchange for ADRs will not be subject to any Chilean taxes.

 

Gain recognized on the sale or exchange of shares of common stock (as distinguished from sales or exchanges of ADSs representing such shares of common stock) by a foreign holder will be subject to both the first category tax and the Chilean withholding tax (the former being creditable against the latter) if (1) the foreign holder has held such shares of common stock for less than one year since exchanging ADSs for the shares of common stock, (2) the foreign holder acquired and disposed of the shares of common stock in the ordinary course of its business or as a regular trader of stock or (3) the sale is made to a company in which the foreign holder holds an interest (10.0% or more of the shares in the case of open stock corporations). In all other cases, gain on the disposition of shares of common stock will be subject only to the first category tax levied as a sole tax. However, if it is impossible to determine the taxable capital gain, a 5.0% withholding will be imposed on the total amount to be remitted abroad, without any deductions, as a provisional payment of the total tax due.

 

The tax basis of shares of common stock received in exchange for ADSs will be the acquisition value of such shares on the date of the exchange. The valuation procedure set forth in the deposit agreement, which values shares of common stock that are being exchanged at the highest price at which they trade on the Santiago Stock Exchange on the date of the exchange, generally will determine the acquisition value for this purpose. Consequently, the conversion of ADSs into shares of common stock and sale of such shares of common stock for the value established under the deposit agreement will not generate a capital gain subject to taxation in Chile.

 

The distribution and exercise of preemptive rights relating to the shares of common stock will not be subject to Chilean taxation. Amounts received in exchange for the shares or assignment of preemptive rights relating to the shares will be subject to both the first category tax and the Chilean withholding tax (the former being creditable against the latter to the extent described above).

 

Pursuant to legislation enacted on July 29, 1998, any taxpayer who, during the tax years 1999 through 2002, inclusive, obtained a gain in the sale, through a Chilean stock exchange, of shares of publicly traded corporations that were significantly traded in stock exchanges at the time of their acquisition could elect to declare, and to pay, for such capital gain, either (a) the first category tax as a sole tax, or (b) in the case of foreign holders, at a rate of 35.0%, provided that such acquisition occurred in a Chilean stock exchange when such shares were not newly issued at the time of their acquisition. This option was not available if the sale of shares was made to a company in which the seller holds an interest. The Chilean Internal Revenue Service has not enacted any rule or issued any ruling about the applicability of this regulation to foreign holders of ADRs.

 

Law No. 19,738 of June 19, 2001, an amendment to the Codigo Tributario, or Chilean Income Tax Law, established an exemption for the payment of income tax by foreign institutional investors such as mutual funds, pension funds and others, that obtain capital gains in the sales through a Chilean stock exchange, a tender offer or any other system authorized by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, of shares of publicly traded corporations that are significantly traded in stock exchanges. The Chilean Internal Revenue Service has not enacted any rule nor issued any ruling about the applicability of this regulation to foreign holders of ADSs.

 

A foreign institutional investor is an entity that is either:

 

    a fund that makes public offers of its shares in a country whose public debt has been rated investment grade by an international risk classification agency qualified by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance;

 

   

a fund that is registered with a regulatory entity of a country whose public debt has been rated investment grade by an international risk classification agency qualified by the Chilean

 

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Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, provided that the investments in Chile, including securities issued abroad that represent Chilean securities, held by the fund represent less than 30.0% of its share value;

 

    a fund that holds investments in Chile that represent less than 30.0% of its share value, provided that it proves that no more than 10.0% of its share value is directly or indirectly owned by Chilean residents;

 

    a pension fund that is exclusively formed by individuals that receive their pensions on account of capital accumulated in the fund;

 

    a fund regulated by the Foreign Capital Investment Funds Law, Law No. 18,657, in which case all holders of its shares must reside abroad or be qualified as local institutional investors; or

 

    another kind of institutional foreign investor that complies with the regulatory requirements of the prior report of the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance and the Chilean Internal Revenue Service.

 

In order to be entitled to the exemption, foreign institutional investors, during the time in which they operate in Chile, must:

 

    be organized abroad and not be domiciled in Chile;

 

    not participate, directly or indirectly, in the control of the issuers of the securities in which it invests and not hold, directly or indirectly, 10.0% or more of such companies’ capital or profits;

 

    execute an agreement in writing with a Chilean bank or securities broker in which the intermediary is responsible for the execution of purchase and sale orders and for the verification, at the time of the respective remittance, that such remittances relate to capital gains that are exempt from income tax in Chile or, if they are subject to income tax, that the applicable withholdings have been made; and

 

    register in a special registry with the Chilean Internal Revenue Service.

 

Pursuant to an amendment to the Chilean Income Tax Law published on November 7, 2001, Law No. 19,768, the sale or disposition of shares of Chilean public corporations that are significantly traded on stock exchanges is exempted from Chilean taxes on capital gains if the sale or disposition was made:

 

    on a local stock exchange or any other stock exchange authorized by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance or in a tender offer process according to Title XXV of the Chilean Securities Market Law, so long as the shares (a) were purchased on a public stock exchange or in a tender offer process pursuant to Title XXV of the Chilean Securities Market Law, (b) are newly issued shares issued in a capital increase of the corporation, or (c) were the result of the exchange of convertible bonds (in which case the conversion price is considered to be the price of the shares). In this case, gains exempted from Chilean taxes shall be calculated using the criteria set forth in the Chilean Income Tax Law; or

 

    within 90 days after the shares would have ceased to be traded in specified volumes on a stock exchange. In such case, the gains exempted from Chilean taxes on capital gains will be up to the average price per share of the last 90 days. Any gains above the average price will be subject to the first category tax.

 

Capital gains subject to taxation in Chile may be generated in the case where the sale of the shares is made on a day other than the date in which the exchange is recorded. On October 1, 1999, the Chilean Internal Revenue Service issued Ruling No. 3708, allowing Chilean issuers of ADSs to amend the deposit agreements to which they are parties in order to include a clause that states that, in the case that the exchanged shares are sold by the ADSs’ holders in a Chilean stock exchange, either on the same day in which the exchange is recorded in the shareholders’ registry of the issuer or within the two prior business days to such date, the acquisition price of such exchanged shares shall be the price registered in the invoice issued by the stock broker that participated in the sale transaction. Consequently, should we include this clause in the deposit

 

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agreement, the capital gain that may be generated if the exchange date is different than the date in which the shares received in exchange for ADSs were sold, will not be subject to taxation.

 

Other Chilean Taxes

 

No Chilean inheritance, gift or succession taxes apply to the transfer or disposition of the ADSs by a foreign holder but such taxes generally will apply to the transfer at death or by a gift of shares of common stock by a foreign holder. No Chilean stamp, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties apply to foreign holders of ADSs or shares of common stock.

 

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following discussion summarizes the principal U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to an investment in the ADSs or shares of common stock by a holder that is a citizen or resident of the United States or a U.S. domestic corporation or that otherwise will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of the ADSs or shares of common stock, who is referred to as a U.S. holder, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase ADSs or shares of common stock. In particular, this discussion is directed only to U.S. holders that will hold ADSs or shares of common stock as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, and does not address the tax treatment of U.S. holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities electing to mark to market, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, holders of 10% or more of our voting shares, persons holding ADSs or shares of common stock as a position in a “straddle” or conversion transaction, or as part of a “synthetic security” or other integrated financial transaction. Prospective purchasers who are U.S. holders are advised to consult their own tax advisors as to the overall United States federal, state and local tax consequences of their ownership of ADSs and the underlying shares of common stock.

 

The statements of United States tax laws set out below are based on the laws in force as of the date of this annual report and may be subject to any changes in United States law occurring after such date, including changes that may have retroactive effect.

 

ADRs

 

In general, U.S. holders of ADRs evidencing ADSs will be treated, for United States federal income tax purposes, as the beneficial owners of the underlying shares of common stock that are represented by those ADSs and evidenced by those ADRs.

 

Cash Dividends and Other Distributions

 

The gross amount of cash dividends paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) with respect to the shares of common stock or ADSs, including the net amount of the Chilean withholding tax withheld on the distribution (after taking into account the credit for the first category tax), will be includable in the gross income of a U.S. holder as sovereign source dividend income on the day the dividends are received by the U.S. holder, in the case of shares of common stock, or by the depositary, in the case of shares of common stock represented by ADSs, and will not be eligible for the deduction for dividends received allowed to corporations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as currently in force, or the Revenue Code. Dividends paid in Chilean pesos will be includable in the income of a U.S. holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day they are received by the U.S. holder, in the case of shares of common stock, or the depositary, in the case of shares of common stock represented by ADSs. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the treatment of foreign currency gain or loss, if any, on any Chilean pesos received that are converted into U.S. dollars on a date subsequent to receipt. Under new rules applicable to dividends received after 2002 and before 2009, an individual US holder generally will be subject to US taxation at a maximum rate of 15%. This

 

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reduced rate does not apply to dividends paid in respect of certain short-term (60 days or less) or hedged positions. U.S. holders should consult their tax adviser concerning the implications of these new rules in light of their particular circumstances. The Chilean withholding tax (after taking into account the credit for the first category tax) will be treated as a foreign income tax that a U.S. holder may elect to deduct in computing its income tax or, subject to generally applicable limitations and conditions under the Revenue Code, to credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credits, dividends paid on the common stock or ADSs will generally constitute foreign source “passive income” or “financial services income” for U.S. tax purposes. Foreign tax credits may not be allowed for withholding taxes imposed in respect of certain short-term or hedged positions in securities or in respect of arrangements in which a U.S. holder’s expected economic profit is insubstantial. U.S. holders should consult their own advisors concerning the implications of these rules in light of their particular circumstances.

 

Distributions of additional shares of common stock (or rights to subscribe for shares of common stock) to U.S. holders with respect to the ADSs or shares of common stock that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

A non-U.S. holder, i.e. a holder of shares of common stock or ADSs that is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign corporation generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends received on shares of common stock or ADSs, unless that income is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States.

 

Capital Gains

 

Gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or shares of common stock will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the holder’s adjusted basis in the ADSs or the shares of common stock and the amount realized on the disposition. The gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss. Capital gains realized by an individual U.S. holder are generally subject to a reduced tax rate with respect to property held for more than one year. The net amount of long-term capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. holder after May 5, 2003 and before January 1, 2009 generally is subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15%. The net long-term capital gain recognized by an individual before May 6, 2003 generally is subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 20%.

 

Gains realized by a U.S. holder on a sale or other disposition of ADSs or shares of common stock generally will be treated as U.S. source income. Because a U.S. holder generally may not use a foreign tax credit to reduce its U.S. federal income tax liability in respect of its U.S. source income, in the case of a disposition of shares of common stock (which, unlike a disposition of ADSs, would be taxable in Chile), the U.S. holder generally would not be able to utilize foreign tax credits in respect of any Chilean tax imposed on such a disposition unless such holder has other income from foreign sources, in the appropriate category, for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation rules. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the foreign tax credit limitation rules to their investment in, and disposition of, the ADSs and shares of common stock.

 

Deposits and withdrawals of shares of common stock by U.S. holders in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

A non-U.S. holder of shares of common stock or ADSs will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale of shares of common stock or ADSs, unless (1) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States or (2) in the case of gain realized by an individual non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met.

 

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

In general, dividends paid to a U.S. holder and proceeds from a disposition of the ADSs or shares of common stock will be subject to information reporting requirements and the payments may be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax if the U.S. holder does not provide a taxpayer identification number or otherwise establish an exemption. Under certain circumstances, such payments made to a non-U.S. holder also may be subject to U.S. information reporting requirements and U.S. backup withholding tax, unless the holder certifies its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption.

 

The foregoing discussion of Chilean and United States tax considerations is intended only to provide a general description of the principal relevant factors. The discussion is not intended as tax advice to any particular investor, which advice can be rendered only in light of that investor’s particular tax situation. Investors should consult their tax advisors about the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs or shares of common stock.

 

 

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

 

We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with these requirements, we file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may obtain copies of this annual report and the exhibits thereto, as well as other information we have filed, at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference rooms located at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regional Office at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2511. Copies of such material may be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Section by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-732-0330. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a World Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and information statements and other information regarding us. Any filings we make electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this annual report, information statements and other information about us can be downloaded from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website and can also be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Introduction

 

We are exposed to market risks in our asset liability management portfolio and in our trading portfolio. Our asset liability management portfolio is comprised of our nontrading activities and includes retail and corporate deposits; mortgage bonds; foreign borrowings, consumer, commercial and mortgage loans; and foreign trade transactions. Our trading portfolio is comprised of our trading activities and includes government securities, corporate bonds, foreign exchange positions, forwards on foreign exchange and currency and interest rate swaps.

 

The Risk Process

 

We control financial risk primarily through a series of limits, which are approved by our ALCO committee. See “—Market Risk: Models and Measurement—Asset Liability Portfolio” and “—The Trading Portfolio” for an explanation of these limits. The ALCO committee’s membership is comprised of the Chairman of our board of directors, our Chief Executive Officer and the managers of the Planning and Research Division, the Financial Division and the Corporate and International Division. The ALCO

 

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committee sets limits based on an analysis of our business strategy, market volatility, liquidity of the products involved, management experience and our overall risk tolerance.

 

The frequency with which we monitor our exposure to market risk depends on the nature of the portfolio. Market risk for the trading portfolio is monitored on a daily basis. A risk report, highlighting the level of market risk, with its evolution and risk concentrations by asset class and business unit is distributed to several business area managers of Planning and Research Division, the Financial Division and the Corporate and International Division and to the other ALCO committee members.

 

Market risk for the asset liability portfolio is monitored on a monthly basis. The risk report for the asset liability portfolio focuses on interest rate risk for local and foreign currency and on the evolution of our assets and liabilities positions is monitored in local and foreign currency. The report is distributed to several business area managers and to the ALCO committee members.

 

We have an independent financial risk department that reports directly to the Manager of the Planning and Research Division. The financial risk department oversees our local financial activities as well as those of our international operations. Its responsibilities include:

 

    the tracking of positions and the daily update of databases with market prices;

 

    risk measurement, which involves the quantification of financial exposure, under normal and stress circumstances, using different risk models;

 

    risk monitoring, where the level and the evolution of the different risks we are exposed to is analyzed;

 

    the distribution of the risk report to senior management and the ALCO committee members; and

 

    the verification of compliance with the board’s established risk tolerance levels and limits and identify any policy exceptions.

 

The financial risk department is responsible for warning our business areas when they are about to exceed our risk limits. The ALCO committee is also notified whenever any of our business areas is about to exceed our risk limits. If the risk limit is exceeded, the responsible business area must explain why the risk limit was exceeded, and the ALCO committee must meet to decide whether to eliminate the excess risk or grant a provisional limit increase. The ALCO committee updates risk limits once a year, unless market conditions change, in which case risk limits are updated more frequently, as needed.

 

Market Risk Exposures

 

Market risk refers to potential losses arising from unfavorable market movements in interest rates or foreign exchange rates, as well as the correlation among these factors and their volatility. We are exposed to the material market risks described below because of the financial positions we maintain. The following section quantifies the potential impact of these risks.

 

Interest rate risk

 

We are exposed to interest rate risk in both our asset liability portfolio and in our trading portfolio. For the asset liability portfolio, interest rate risk arises from differences in the maturity or timing of our assets and liabilities. Changes in interest rates also affect the underlying economic value of our assets and liabilities, as the present value of future cash flows changes when interest rates change. For the trading portfolio, interest rate risk is the change in the value arising from changes in interest rates.

 

Currency risk

 

We are exposed to currency risk because of differences between the asset and liability positions that we maintain in each currency, known as currency mismatches. We maintain mismatches in local currency

 

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against the U.S. dollar and, to a lesser extent, against the euro and the Japanese yen. Other mismatches are not significant.

 

Inflation risk

 

Although inflation has moderated in recent years, Chile has experienced high levels of inflation in the past. High levels of inflation in Chile could adversely affect the Chilean economy and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The inflation rate declined from 18.7% to 2.8% from 1991 through 2002.

 

We are exposed to risk because of differences between the asset and liability positions that we maintain in UF (inflation indexed) and in peso (non inflation indexed). We have generally maintained more peso-denominated liabilities than peso-denominated assets and more UF-denominated assets than UF-denominated liabilities. Since we finance UF-denominated assets using peso-denominated liabilities, particularly non-interest bearing demand deposits, the losses resulting from increases in inflation are significantly reduced.

 

Market Risk: Models and Measurement

 

The data needed for our market risk models are obtained from brokers or government agencies with access to information provided by Reuters or Bloomberg or from information on prices located at issuers’ Internet sites. We maintain a daily risk factor database for currency parities, bond prices and interest rates for different maturities and currencies.

 

Asset Liability Portfolio

 

The ALCO committee’s policies with respect to the asset liability portfolio protect net interest revenue on a pre-tax basis and the value of equity from advance changes in interest rates, while complying with the limits that have been imposed by Chilean banking regulators and those internally set by us.

 

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The composition of our assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2002 by currency and term was as follows:

 

     At December 31, 2002

 
     Ch$

    UF

    Foreign
Currency(1)


    Total

    Percentage

 
     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002, except for percentages)  

Assets(2):

                                      

Cash and due from banks

   Ch$ 515,073       —       Ch$ 161,350     Ch$ 676,423     7.8 %

Other assets(1)

                                      

Less than one year

     1,105,161     Ch$ 1,861,306       1,654,147       4,620,614     53.1  

From one to three years

     261,640       849,051       266,222       1,376,913     15.8  

More than three years

     70,394       1,630,890       61,601       1,762,885     20.2  
    


 


 


 


 

Total financial assets

   Ch$ 1,952,268     Ch$ 4,341,247     Ch$ 2,143,320     Ch$ 8,436,835     96.9 %
    


 


 


 


 

Other

     179,842       62,449       102,512       344,803     3.9  

Bank premises and equipment

     137,784       —         1,559       139,343     1.6  

Investment in other companies

     4,777       —         —         4,777     0.1  

Allowance for loan losses

     (212,286 )     —         (3,708 )     (215,994 )   (2.5 )
    


 


 


 


 

Total assets

   Ch$ 2,062,385     Ch$ 4,403,696     Ch$ 2,243,683     Ch$ 8,709,764     100.0 %
    


 


 


 


 

Percentage of total financial assets by currency

     23.14 %     51.46 %     25.40 %     100.00 %      

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity(2):

                                      

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

   Ch$ 1,259,261     Ch$ 10,839     Ch$ 370,715     Ch$ 1,640,815     18.8 %

Other liabilities(1)

                                      

Less than one year

     1,948,332       1,054,179       1,687,435       4,689,946     53.9  

From one to three years

     33,384       406,148       63,386       502,918     5.8  

More than three years

     —         969,907       —         969,907     11.1  
    


 


 


 


 

Total financial liabilities

   Ch$ 3,240,977     Ch$ 2,441,073     Ch$ 2,121,536     Ch$ 7,803,586     89.6 %
    


 


 


 


 

Other

     235,143       3,487       49,318       287,948     3.3  

Shareholders’ equity

     565,595       —         —         565,595     6.5  

2002 net income

     52,635       —         —         52,635     0.6  
    


 


 


 


 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   Ch$ 4,094,350     Ch$ 2,444,560     Ch$ 2,170,854     Ch$ 8,709,764     100.0 %
    


 


 


 


 

Percentage of total financial liabilities and shareholders’ equity by currency

     41.53 %     31.28 %     27.19 %     100.00 %      

Asset/liability gap

   Ch$ (2,031,965 )   Ch$ 1,959,136     Ch$ 72,829                
    


 


 


             

(1)   Includes assets and liabilities payable in Chilean pesos that are indexed according to the U.S. dollar exchange rate.
(2)   Includes forward contracts.

 

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At December 31, 2002, our consolidated foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities were denominated principally in U.S. dollars, as the following table demonstrates:

 

     At December 31, 2002

     Assets

   Liabilities

   Net

     (in millions of Ch$)

U.S. dollar(1)

   Ch$ 2,206,768    Ch$ 2,165,116    Ch$ 41,652

Euro

     34,231      8,954      25,277

Pound sterling

     371      79      292

Swiss franc

     342      28      314

Canadian dollar

     400      11      389

Japanese yen

     5,057      306      4,751

Other

     222      68      154
    

  

  

Total

   Ch$ 2,247,391    Ch$ 2,174,562    Ch$ 72,829
    

  

  


(1)   Includes Ch$536,116 million in assets and Ch$6,272 million in liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and payable in Chilean pesos indexed to the U.S. dollar exchange rate.

 

As is explained below, we use two models to measure our asset liability management’s portfolio ‘s exposure to interest rate risk: an interest rate gap model and a duration gap model.

 

The Interest Rate Gap Model

 

Fluctuations in interest rates affect our reported earnings through changes in our net interest income and lead to repricing risk. Repricing risk results from differences in the timing of interest rate changes and the timing of cash flows that occur in the pricing and maturity of a bank’s interest earning assets and liabilities. Any mismatch of interest earning assets and interest earning liabilities exists whenever an unequal amount of interest earning assets or interest earning liabilities mature or reprice in any given period, and is known as an interest gap position. A positive gap denotes assets sensitivity and normally means that an increase in interest rates would have a positive effect on net interest revenue, while a decrease in interest rates would have a negative effect on net interest revenue.

 

Our Financial Division is responsible for managing our interest rate gap for local and foreign currency and for defining internal financial transfer prices, especially minimum and maximum fund raising rates and the cost of funds for each of our active transactions. For this purpose, the finance division buys and sells all matched funds so that the business areas do not have to assume the transaction’s financial risk. We only take mismatched interest rate positions in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the ALCO committee.

 

We began measuring repricing risk on July 2002. To compute our exposure to repricing risk, we prepare, on a monthly basis, gap profiles for inflation indexed portfolios, non-inflation indexed portfolios and for dollar portfolios. To compute the different gap profiles we use the following tenor buckets:

 

    monthly, from one month to three months;

 

    quarterly, from 90 days to a year;

 

    annually, from one to five years;

 

    from five to seven years;

 

    from seven to ten years; and

 

    more than ten years.

 

Next, we calculate the potential impact on net interest revenue over the next 12 months based on a parallel shift in yield curves for inflation indexed, non-inflation and dollar positions. To limit repricing risk, the ALCO committee has established that total potential losses resulting from the parallel shift cannot exceed a certain

 

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amount of net interest revenue. The following table shows the average, low and high repricing risk for the period between July 1, 2002 and December 31, 2002, together with that information at December 31, 2002:

 

     Repricing Risk

     Low

   High

   Average

  

December 31,

2002


     (in millions of nominal Ch$)

Pesos position

   Ch$1,211    Ch$  5,574    Ch$3,003    Ch$  1,211

UFs position

   3,113    15,738    6,971    10,772

Foreign currency position

   Ch$   627    Ch$  2,239    Ch$1,345    Ch$     768

 

The following table shows the average, low and high repricing risk for the period between January 1, 2003 and May 31, 2003, together with that information at May 31, 2003:

 

     Repricing Risk

     Low

   High

   Average

  

May 31, 

2003


     (in millions of nominal Ch$)

Pesos position

   Ch$   150    Ch$   677    Ch$   491    Ch$     524

UFs position

   3,479    14,535    7,909    10,156

Foreign currency position

   Ch$   517    Ch$   866    Ch$   685    Ch$     866

 

The Duration Gap

 

Changes in interest rates also affect a bank’s underlying economic value. This is called economic risk. The duration gap seeks to protect the economic value of our equity from unexpected changes in interest rates. To do so, potential losses for existing gaps for inflation indexed and non-inflation position, and for dollar positions, are calculated assuming interest rate shifts based on different volatility scenarios. The ALCO committee has established limits that regulate potential losses resulting from these scenario analyses as a percentage of capital.

 

We began measuring economic risk in March 2002. The following table shows the average low and high economic exposure as a percentage of capital for the period between March 1, 2002 and December 31, 2002; the last column shows our interest rate sensitivity as of December 31, 2002.

 

     Economic Risks as a % of Capital

 
     Low

    High

    Average

   

December 

2002


 

Pesos position

   0.41 %           1.21 %           0.84 %           0.41 %

UFs position

   0.26     2.65     1.47     1.61  

Foreign currency position

   0.30 %   0.88 %   0.49 %   0.30 %

 

The following table shows the average low and high economic exposure as a percentage of capital for the period between January 1, 2003 and May 31, 2003; the last column shows our interest rate sensitivity as of May 31, 2003.

 

     Economic Risks as a % of Capital

 
     Low

    High

    Average

   

May 

2003


 

Pesos position

   0.28 %               0.71 %               0.44 %               0.71 %

UFs position

   1.25     2.10     1.76     2.02  

Foreign currency position

   0.12 %   0.39 %   0.20 %   0.39 %

 

Central Bank Gap Requirement. The Central Bank mandates that an interest rate risk limit not exceed 8% of a bank’s total capital for commercial banks. The calculation is based on a table per time period compounded by fixed changes in interest rates (100 basis points, or 1%, for the short term and 75 basis points, or 0.75%, for the longer terms) and fixed sensitivity factors for the different time buckets (from 30 days to 20 years). During 2002, this indicator ranged from 3.31% to 7.46%.

 

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The Trading Portfolio

 

Because no single measure can reflect all aspects of market risk, we use several risk measures, both statistical and non-statistical, to control the market risk of our investment portfolio. The statistical measure is Value at Risk, or VaR. The non-statistical measures are stress testing, Basis Point Value, or BPV, basis risk and volume limit for fixed income portfolio and currency mismatch.

 

Value at Risk (VaR)

 

VaR is used to measure and to control market risk for trading transactions. VaR provides an estimate of the potential risk of market loss over a specified time horizon at a defined level of confidence. We began performing VaR analysis in January 2001. We expect that the same methodology will be applied to our stock brokerage subsidiary during the second half of 2003. Currently, our stock brokerage subsidiary uses modified duration analysis, which is the approximate percentage change in a bond’s price for a 100 basis point parallel shift in the yield curve as a measure of the interest rate risk of its trading portfolio.

 

Trading positions refer to portfolios comprised of instruments that are tradable on the market and that are sufficiently liquid so that daily market valuations and daily risk measurements are necessary to manage actual and potential losses on a timely basis. There is no portfolio classification for “held to maturity” in Chile. Consequently, all instruments that are tradable on the market must be classified as trading or available for sale instruments. Trading positions include all Central Bank bond portfolios, mortgage bonds, corporate bonds issued by local or foreign issuers and sovereign bonds.

 

The VaR estimates are based on the Riskmetrics methodology to measure market risk. Riskmetrics uses a 95% confidence interval, a one-day holding period and an exponential moving average model with 74 historical observations to forecast variances and covariances. The calculated VaR is adjusted by market liquidity, modeling bid-ask spreads.

 

In addition to the total VaR, VaRs estimated by market factors and asset class are also computed.

 

VaR estimated by market factor shows the amount of risk due to:

 

    foreign exchange risk measured as the exposure to the volatility of the U.S. dollar; and

 

    interest rate risk represented in terms of the exposure to nine key points on the relevant yield curve for the Chilean peso, UF and U.S. dollar.

 

The VaR estimated by asset class shows the amount of risk due to:

 

    our foreign exchange portfolio;

 

    our short term fixed income portfolio, which includes: forwards, short-term instruments issued by the Chilean Central Bank, time deposits in Chilean pesos, UF and U.S. dollars and floating notes; and

 

    our fixed income portfolio, which includes long term Central Bank securities, mortgage bonds, local corporate bonds, foreign corporate bonds and interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps.

 

Our financial Risk Department rechecks the VaR model on an ongoing basis to assess its accuracy. The results of these backtests have supported the reliability of our VaR model.

 

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The following table shows the median, low and high daily VaR for the full year 2002, along with VaR at December 31, 2002.

 

     Period Ended December 31, 2002

  

At December 31,

2002


     Median VaR

   Minimum VaR

   Maximum VaR

   VaR

     (in millions of nominal Ch$)

Foreign exchange

   40    0    235    17

Interest rate risk—local currency (peso)

   4,510    2,207    6,494    2,207

Interest rate risk—local currency (UF)

   7,862    1,394    14,226    8,619

Interest rate risk—foreign currency

   2,822    1,723    5,044    1,741

Trading portfolio—local currency normal

   4,754    1,432    7,732    4,258

Trading portfolio—local currency stress

   12,666    6,686    17,221    10,083

Trading portfolio—foreign currency normal

   1,604    1,098    2,059    1,224

Trading portfolio—foreign currency stress

   2,319    2,034    2,540    2,034

Trading portfolio—sovereign and corporate bonds

   397    206    618    206

Foreign subsidiaries—total interest rate risk

   451    371    521    446

Foreign subsidiaries—trading portfolio—sovereign and corporate bonds

   623    247    1,377    856

 

The following table shows the median, low and high daily VaR for the period between January 1, 2003 and May 31, 2003, along with VaR at December 31, 2002.

 

     January 1, 2003 to May 31, 2003

   At May 31,
2003


     Median VaR

   Minimum VaR

   Maximum VaR

   VaR

     (in millions of nominal Ch$)

Foreign exchange

   39    0    214    214

Interest rate risk—local currency (peso)

   3,512    1,499    6,494    3,794

Interest rate risk—local currency (UF)

   9,211    1,394    14,226    10,815

Interest rate risk—foreign currency

   1,878    679    3,470    2,216

Trading portfolio—local currency normal

   4,645    1,455    7,856    4,863

Trading portfolio—local currency stress

   12,571    6,793    17,497    15,213

Trading portfolio—foreign currency normal

   1,215    353    2,052    1,111

Trading portfolio—foreign currency stress

   2,067    1,397    2,459    2,102

Trading portfolio—sovereign and corporate bonds

   52    33    230    38

Foreign subsidiaries—total interest rate risk

   496    247    784    784

Foreign subsidiaries—trading portfolio—sovereign and corporate bonds

   384    170    1,144    205

 

Assumptions and Limitations of the VaR Model: Our VaR model assumes that changes in market risk factors have a normal distribution and that the parameters of this joint distribution have been estimated correctly. The normal distribution assumption, however, may result in our underestimating the probability of extreme market moves. For this reason, we also assess stress risk, or the potential loss due to extreme changes in risk factors. Stress testing is explained more thoroughly below. Another limitation to VaR testing is that while we compute VaR at the close of business, trading positions may change substantially during the course of the trading day and, thus, go unnoticed.

 

Non-statistical Risk Measures

 

Stress Risk. Stress risk is our exposure to unlikely but plausible changes (known as outlier events) in risk factors resulting from maintaining prevailing positions after the close of a business/trading day. An extreme event is defined as a price variation that is beyond the 95% confidence level defined for normal analysis. Once the market movements for specific risk factors have been determined, they are applied to the portfolio. Then the portfolio is revalued to see the effect of the market move on the value of the portfolio. Stress tests are computed at least once a month. The stress risk limit has been approved by the ALCO committee.

 

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Basis Point Value (BVP). The BVP is the change in an instrument’s value associated with the change in the reference yield of 1 basis point, or 0.01%. The BVP risk limit has been approved by the ALCO committee.

 

Basis Risk. Basis risk is the possibility of loss from imperfectly matched risk, offsetting positions in two related but not identical markets. We control our exposure to the basis risk between our foreign bonds portfolio and the interest rate swaps used to hedge them.

 

Position Limit for Fixed Income Portfolio and Currency Mismatch. To limit our exposure to interest rate risk, especially in periods of low volatility, we limit the size of our fixed income portfolio.

 

The ALCO committee has determined that our net foreign currency mismatches cannot exceed a certain percentage of our capital. This percentage is lower than the net foreign currency mismatches limit established by the Central Bank, as described below. We did not exceed this internal limit in 2002.

 

Central Bank regulations do not permit the difference between a bank’s assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies to exceed 20% of a bank’s paid-in capital and reserves (on an unconsolidated basis). At December 31, 2002, our foreign exchange gap was Ch$2,194 million, equivalent to 0.39% of our paid-in capital and reserves. At April 30, 2003, our foreign exchange gap was Ch$4,726 million short, equivalent to 0.86% of our paid-in capital and reserves. This gap includes assets and liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars as well as those denominated in pesos and adjusted by the variation of the U.S. dollar/Chilean peso exchange rate, and off balance sheet items such as interest rate swaps and currency swaps.

 

The rate of devaluation or appreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar is expected to have the following material effects:

 

    If we maintain a net asset position in U.S. dollars, and the peso devaluates against the dollar, we record a related gain (conversely, if the peso appreciates we record a related loss).

 

    If we maintain a net liability position in U.S. dollars, and the peso devaluates against the dollar, we record a related loss (conversely, if the peso appreciates we record a related gain).

 

The bulk of foreign exchange trading that we undertake is intended to hedge the exposure of our customers to the prevailing rate of exchange. It is our policy to make foreign currency-denominated loans only to customers whose activities generate foreign currency-denominated cash flow or that are indexed to a foreign currency, or if the market value of a customer’s assets is indexed to the rate of exchange. At December 31, 2002, approximately 12% of our consolidated total loan portfolio was denominated in foreign currencies.

 

We enter into forward exchange contracts that are essentially of two types:

 

    transactions covering U.S. dollars against other foreign currencies; and

 

    transactions covering only Chilean pesos and UFs against U.S. dollars.

 

The following table presents notional amounts of our derivatives contracts at December 31, 2002:

 

     At December 31, 2002
     Notional Amount

Exchange rate forwards denominated in foreign currency

   Ch$ 58,916

Foreign currency futures (purchased)

     790,860

Foreign currency futures (sold)

     775,457

Chilean currency futures (purchased)

     35,996

Chilean currency futures (sold)

     2,550

Interest rate swaps

     452,930
    

Total

   Ch$ 2,116,709
    

 

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The following table presents foreign currency exchange rate risk instruments as of December 31, 2002, in notional amounts, and weighted average exchange rates by expected (contractual) maturity dates, for the next five years:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

     2003

   2004

   2005

   2006

   2007

   Total

     (in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2002)

Exchange rate forwards denominated in foreign currency

                                     

Purchased:

                                     

Pay U.S. dollars/receive Euros

   Ch$ 22,308      —        —      —      —      Ch$ 22,308

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     700.63      —        —      —      —         

Pay U.S. dollars/receive Japanese yen

     959      —        —      —      —        959

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     5.79      —        —      —      —         

Sold:

                                     

Pay Swedish Krona/receive U.S. dollars

     60      —        —      —      —        60

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     82.17      —        —      —      —         

Pay Sterling Pound/receive U.S. dollars

     4      —        —      —      —        4

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     1,136.25      —        —      —      —         

Pay Norwegian Krona/receive U.S. dollars

     38      —        —      —      —        38

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     104.76      —        —      —      —         

Pay Euros/receive U.S. dollars

     30,001      —        —      —      —        30,001

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     709.84      —        —      —      —         

Pay Japanese yen/receive U.S. dollars

     5,546      —        —      —      —        5,546

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     5.83      —        —      —      —         
    

  

  

  
  
  

Total

   Ch$ 58,916      —        —      —      —      Ch$ 58,916
    

  

  

  
  
  

Foreign currency futures

                                     

Purchased:

                                     

Pay Chilean pesos/receive U.S. dollars

     509,062      2,137      —      —      —        511,199

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     716.73      709.50      —      —      —         

Pay UF/receive U.S. dollars

     252,246      26,346      1,069    —      —        279,661

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     685.06      676.93      708.72    —      —         
    

  

  

  
  
  

Total

   Ch$ 761,308    Ch$ 28,483    Ch$ 1,069    —      —      Ch$ 790,860
    

  

  

  
  
  

Sold:

                                     

Pay U.S. dollars/receive Chilean pesos

     419,552      —        —      —      —        419,552

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     709.69      —        —      —      —         

Pay U.S. dollars/receive UF

     336,547      14,960      4,398    —      —        355,905

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     693.99      659.86      703.88    —      —         
    

  

  

  
  
  

Total

   Ch$ 756,099    Ch$ 14,960    Ch$ 4,398    —      —      Ch$ 775,457
    

  

  

  
  
  

Chilean currency futures

                                     

Purchased:

                                     

Pay UF/receive Chilean pesos

     35,996      —        —      —      —        35,996

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     16,815.24      —        —      —      —         
    

  

  

  
  
  

Total

   Ch$ 35,996      —        —      —      —      Ch$ 35,996
    

  

  

  
  
  

Sold:

                                     

Pay Chilean pesos/receive UF

     2,550      —        —      —      —        2,550

Average contractual exchange rate(1)

     16,886.85      —        —      —      —         
    

  

  

  
  
  

Total

   Ch$ 2,550      —        —      —      —      Ch$ 2,550
    

  

  

  
  
  


(1)   The average contractual exchange rate represents the amount of specified currency equal to U.S.$1.00.

 

Foreign Operations

 

We apply the same policies and procedures described above with respect to the New York branch and the Miami agency. The only difference is the participation of their respective general managers on the proposal of limits and flow distribution standards. The Manager of the Corporate and International Division is a permanent member of the ALCO committee. We place particular emphasis on monitoring interest rate risk over the total financial position and market risk of the portfolio of sovereign and corporate bonds maintained by the branch and the agency. The New York branch and the Miami agency do not maintain any other positions significant enough to warrant risk calculation. We perform control over the New York branch and the Miami agency individually and on a consolidated basis with the head office in Chile.

 

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Credit Risk for Derivatives

 

We make use of derivative transactions in the course of business to meet the financial needs of our customers, to generate revenues through our trading activities, and to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest and currency rates. We use the same credit risk management procedures when entering into derivative transactions as we do for traditional lending products. Our primary counterparties in derivative transactions are investment-grade financial institutions.

 

In terms of outstanding exposure to credit risk, the true measure of risk from derivative transactions is the mark-to-market value of the contracts at a point in time (i.e., the cost to replace the contract at the current market rates should the counterparty default prior to the settlement). For most derivative transactions, the notional principal amount does not change hands; it is simply an amount that is used as a reference upon which to calculate payments. While notional principal is the most commonly used volume measure in the derivative and foreign exchange markets, it is not a measure of credit risk. As of December 31, 2002, the credit exposure of our foreign exchange forwards was Ch$4,385 million.

 

Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART II

 

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

 

None.

 

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 15. Controls and Procedures

 

Within the 90 days prior to the date of this Form 20-F, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and the Manager of our Planning and Research Division, who performs the duties of Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon and as of the date of our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.

 

Item 16. [Reserved.]

 

PART III

 

Item 17. Financial Statements

 

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Item 18 hereof.

 

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Item 18. Financial Statements

 

Our audited consolidated financial statements are included in this annual report beginning at page F-1.

 

Item 19. Exhibits

 

LIST OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit


  1.1   Estatutos of Banco de Chile, which serve as our articles of incorporation and bylaws, together with an English translation thereof (filed as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-15266) for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).
  2.1   Form of Deposit agreement among Banco de Chile, JPMorgan Chase Bank as depositary, and the holders from time to time of ADSs (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-14020) filed on October 18, 2001).
  2.2   Form of Foreign Investment Contract among Banco de A. Edwards, Citibank, N.A. and the Central Bank of Chile relating to the foreign exchange treatment of an investment in ADSs, together with an English translation thereof (incorporated by reference to Banco de A. Edwards’ registration statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 33-97594) filed on September 29, 1995).
  2.3   Amendment to Foreign Investment Contract among Banco de Chile (as successor to Banco de A. Edwards), Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and the Central Bank of Chile, dated January 2, 2002, together with an English translation thereof (filed as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-15266) for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.1   Merger Agreement between Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards, dated October 3, 2001 (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-14020) filed on October 18, 2001).
  8.1   List of subsidiaries.
12.1   Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

145


Table of Contents

INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Reports of Independent Auditors

    

Ernst & Young Limitada

   F-2

PricewaterhouseCoopers

   F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2001 and 2002

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002

   F-7

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002

   F-8

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

   F-9

Ch$

   =    Chilean pesos

MCh$

   =    Millions of Chilean pesos

US$

   =    United States dollars

ThUS$

   =    Thousands of United States dollars

UF

   =   

“Unidades de Fomento”, an inflation-indexed, peso denominated monetary unit. The UF rate is

set daily based on changes in the Chilean Consumer Price Index.


 

Application of Constant Chilean Pesos

 

The December 31, 2000 and 2001 consolidated financial statements have been restated for general price-level changes and expressed in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2002 purchasing power.


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

 

Report of Independent Auditors

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Banco de Chile and Subsidiaries:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Banco de Chile and Subsidiaries (the “Bank”) as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Bank’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform our audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Bank’s management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Banco de Chile and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Chile and the regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in Chile vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America would have affected shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, and the net income for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2002 to the extent summarized in Note 28 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

As more fully described in Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements, during the year ended December 31, 2002 the Bank modified the accounting treatment of financial investments in mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank, in accordance with regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions.

 

In addition, as also explained in Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements, during the year ended December 31, 2001 the Bank modified the accounting treatment of assets received in lieu of payment and fees and costs related to the origination of loans, in accordance with regulations issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions.

 

ERNST & YOUNG LIMITADA

 

LOGO

 

Santiago, Chile, January 22, 2003

(except for Notes 1(o) and 28 for which the date is May 30, 2003)

 

F-2


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

 

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Banco de A. Edwards

 

We have audited the consolidated statement of income of Banco de A. Edwards and its subsidiaries (the “Bank”) for the year ended December 31, 2000, expressed in millions of constant Chilean pesos. This financial statement (not presented separately herein) is the responsibility of the Bank’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in both Chile and the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit of the consolidated statement of income provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated statement of income (not presented separately herein) of Banco de A. Edwards and its subsidiaries audited by us presents fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of their operations for the year ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Chile and the rules of the regulatory agencies referred to in Note 1 (not presented separately herein).

 

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements (not presented separately herein), in 2000 the Bank changed the method of accounting for interest rate swap agreements, loan origination fees and costs and assets received in lieu of payment.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in Chile vary in certain important respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and as allowed by Item 18 to Form 20-F. The application of the latter would have affected the determination of net income expressed in constant Chilean pesos to the extent summarized in Note 28 to the consolidated financial statements (not presented separately herein). The presentation of the income statement for banks prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Chilean regulatory authorities also differs significantly from the format required by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2000, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Chile but using the format for bank financial statements specified by the SEC, is shown in Note 27 to the financial statements (not presented separately herein).

 

 

LOGO

Santiago, Chile

January 26, 2001 (except for the updating

to December 31, 2001 currency, as

to which the date is May 30, 2002)

 

F-3


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

         As of December 31,

 
     NOTE

  2001

    2002

    2002

 
         MCh$     MCh$     ThUS$  
                     (Note 1 (o))  

ASSETS

                      

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

   3                  

Non-interest bearing

       512,697     661,748     928,926  

Interbank deposits—interest bearing

       31,091     14,675     20,600  
        

 

 

Total cash and due from banks

       543,788     676,423     949,526  
        

 

 

FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS

   4                  

Government securities

       965,654     869,351     1,220,347  

Investments under agreements to resell

       30,512     32,177     45,168  

Other financial investments

       558,506     420,915     590,857  

Investment collateral under agreements to repurchase

       144,534     276,457     388,075  
        

 

 

Total financial investments

       1,699,206     1,598,900     2,244,447  
        

 

 

LOANS, NET

   5                  

Commercial loans

       1,667,520     2,517,319     3,533,674  

Consumer loans

       214,480     412,757     579,406  

Mortgage loans

       832,181     1,187,271     1,666,626  

Foreign trade loans

       388,439     611,671     858,630  

Interbank loans

       24,453     54,818     76,951  

Leasing contracts

   6   172,172     249,093     349,663  

Other outstanding loans

       329,771     601,880     844,886  

Past due loans

       48,936     144,937     203,455  

Contingent loans

       296,633     381,767     535,904  

Allowance for loan losses

   7   (136,343 )   (215,994 )   (303,201 )
        

 

 

Total loans, net

       3,838,242     5,945,519     8,345,994  
        

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

                      

Bank premises and equipment, net

   8   87,659     139,343     195,602  

Investments in other companies

   9   3,520     4,777     6,706  

Assets received in lieu of payment, net

       8,717     18,997     26,667  

Other

   10 (a)   88,945     212,072     297,694  
        

 

 

Total other assets

       188,841     375,189     526,669  
        

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

       6,270,077     8,596,031     12,066,636  
        

 

 

 

The accompanying notes 1 to 30 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-4


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

         As of December 31,

     NOTE

  2001

   2002

   2002

         MCh$    MCh$    ThUS$
                   (Note 1 (o))

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                  

DEPOSITS

                  

Non-interest bearing

                  

Current accounts

       675,465    1,072,183    1,505,072

Bankers’ drafts and other deposits

       403,641    568,632    798,214
        
  
  

Total non-interest bearing

       1,079,106    1,640,815    2,303,286

Interest bearing

                  

Savings accounts and time deposits

       2,723,726    3,497,451    4,909,530
        
  
  

Total deposits

       3,802,832    5,138,266    7,212,816
        
  
  

OTHER INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

   11              

Central Bank credit lines for renegotiations of loans

       2,468    3,763    5,282

Other Central Bank borrowings

       33,709    —      —  
        
  
  

Total Central Bank borrowings

       36,177    3,763    5,282

Investments under agreements to repurchase

       163,124    276,675    388,381

Mortgage finance bonds

       887,126    1,084,041    1,521,717

Bonds

       —      4,593    6,447

Subordinated bonds

       183,891    277,654    389,755

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

       25,708    50,488    70,872

Foreign borrowings

       299,268    510,344    716,393

Other obligations

       46,735    76,770    107,766
        
  
  

Total other interest bearing liabilities

       1,642,029    2,284,328    3,206,613
        
  
  

OTHER LIABILITIES

                  

Contingent liabilities

   10 (c)   296,380    380,992    534,816

Other

   10 (b)   118,616    174,212    244,550

Minority interest

       3    3    4
        
  
  

Total other liabilities

       414,999    555,207    779,370
        
  
  

Commitments and contingencies

   22              

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   15              

Capital and reserves

       320,640    565,595    793,951

Net Income for the year

       89,577    52,635    73,886
        
  
  

Total Shareholders’ equity

       410,217    618,230    867,837
        
  
  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       6,270,077    8,596,031    12,066,636
        
  
  

 

The accompanying notes 1 to 30 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-5


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

         Years ended December 31,

 
     NOTE

  2000

    2001

    2002

    2002

 
         MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     ThUS$  
                           (Note 1 (o))  

INTEREST REVENUE AND EXPENSE

                            

Interest revenue

       583,855     531,020     689,713     968,181  

Interest expense

       (365,980 )   (309,716 )   (322,117 )   (452,170 )
        

 

 

 

Net interest revenue

       217,875     221,304     367,596     516,011  
        

 

 

 

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

   7   (40,668 )   (47,264 )   (100,644 )   (141,279 )

FEES AND INCOME FROM SERVICES

   17                        

Income from fees and other services

       56,952     63,249     103,832     145,754  

Other services expenses

       (10,415 )   (10,882 )   (17,146 )   (24,069 )
        

 

 

 

Total fees and income from services, net

       46,537     52,367     86,686     121,685  
        

 

 

 

OTHER OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

                            

Gains from trading activities

       13,899     17,427     23,251     32,638  

Losses from trading activities

       (6,426 )   (12,541 )   (22,359 )   (31,386 )

Foreign exchange transactions, net

       4,354     1,691     (30,917 )   (43,400 )
        

 

 

 

Total other operating income (loss), net

       11,827     6,577     (30,025 )   (42,148 )
        

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES

                            

Loan loss recoveries

   19   9,356     9,935     11,914     16,724  

Non-operating income

   17   7,778     8,210     6,783     9,522  

Non-operating expenses

   17   (6,424 )   (6,328 )   (23,022 )   (32,317 )

Equity participation in net income (loss) in investments in other companies

   9   3     (44 )   (970 )   (1,362 )

Minority interest

       (1 )   (1 )   (1 )   (1 )
        

 

 

 

Total other income and expenses

       10,712     11,772     (5,296 )   (7,434 )
        

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

                            

Personnel salaries and expenses

       (83,110 )   (83,652 )   (134,189 )   (188,367 )

Administrative and other expenses

       (55,534 )   (58,643 )   (101,115 )   (141,940 )

Depreciation and amortization

       (9,309 )   (8,320 )   (21,935 )   (30,791 )
        

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

       (147,953 )   (150,615 )   (257,239 )   (361,098 )
        

 

 

 

NET LOSS FROM PRICE-LEVEL RESTATEMENT

   1(b)   (9,705 )   (5,950 )   (9,596 )   (13,470 )
        

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

       88,625     88,191     51,482     72,267  

INCOME TAXES

   21   (1,591 )   1,386     1,153     1,619  
        

 

 

 

NET INCOME

       87,034     89,577     52,635     73,886  
        

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes 1 to 30 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-6


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     ThUS$  
                 (Note 1 (l) )     (Note 1 (o) )  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                        

Net income

   87,034     89,577     52,635     73,886  

Items that do not represent cash flows:

                        

Depreciation and amortization

   9,309     8,320     21,935     30,791  

Allowance for loan losses

   40,668     47,264     100,644     141,279  

Provisions for assets received in lieu of payment

   220     179     2,243     3,149  

Net change in trading investments

   (277,356 )   (294,424 )   195,122     273,902  

Equity participation in net (income) loss in investments in other companies

   (3 )   44     970     1,362  

Net (gain) loss on sales of assets received in lieu of payment

   85     (165 )   (2,932 )   (4,116 )

Net gain on sales of bank premises and equipment

   (1,707 )   (92 )   (350 )   (491 )

Net loss from price-level restatement

   9,705     5,950     9,596     13,470  

Minority interest

   1     1     1     1  

Other charges not representing cash flows

   1,776     9,347     38,103     53,486  

Net change in interest accruals

   (15,060 )   (3,200 )   157     220  
    

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   (145,328 )   (137,199 )   418,124     586,939  
    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                        

Net (increase) decrease in loans

   (348,089 )   (88,267 )   (155,515 )   (218,303 )

Net decrease (increase) in investments purchased under agreements to resell

   (19,919 )   (17,625 )   17,758     24,928  

Purchases of bank premises and equipment

   (6,037 )   (10,113 )   (11,997 )   (16,841 )

Proceeds from sale of bank premises and equipment

   3,932     461     1,292     1,814  

Investments in other companies

   (153 )   (1,258 )   (648 )   (910 )

Dividends received from investments in other companies

   171     227     260     365  

Proceeds from sale of assets received in lieu of payment

   2,037     2,792     24,851     34,884  

Net changes in other assets and liabilities

   (21,751 )   (26,580 )   (126,534 )   (177,621 )
    

 

 

 

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (389,809 )   (140,363 )   (250,533 )   (351,684 )
    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                        

Net increase in current accounts

   95,406     53,973     161,160     226,227  

Net increase (decrease) in savings accounts and time deposits

   494,842     205,850     (468,706 )   (657,944 )

Net increase in bankers drafts and other deposits

   93,762     11,455     62,826     88,192  

Net increase (decrease) in investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   (19,552 )   24,961     28,788     40,411  

Increase in mortgage finance bonds

   139,065     168,068     122,831     172,423  

Repayment of mortgage finance bonds

   (75,401 )   (92,939 )   (189,125 )   (265,483 )

Proceeds from bond issues

   24,769     73,073     10,658     14,961  

Repayments of bond issues

   (740 )   (350 )   (10,655 )   (14,957 )

Net increase (decrease) in short-tem borrowings

   (8,731 )   41,661     69,560     97,646  

Proceeds from issuance of long-term borrowings

   242,224     292,341     610,753     857,342  

Repayment of long-term borrowings

   (278,571 )   (367,350 )   (561,314 )   (787,942 )

Dividends paid

   (86,551 )   (84,417 )   (97,068 )   (136,260 )
    

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   620,522     326,326     (260,292 )   (365,384 )
    

 

 

 

EFFECT OF PRICE-LEVEL RESTATEMENT ON CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

   (20,238 )   (15,510 )   (25,844 )   (36,278 )

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

   65,147     33,254     (118,545 )   (166,407 )

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR

   445,387     510,534     543,788     763,340  

CASH ACQUIRED IN MERGER WITH BANCO EDWARDS

   —       —       251,180     352,593  
    

 

 

 

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS AT END OF YEAR

   510,534     543,788     676,423     949,526  
    

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                        

Cash paid during the year for:

                        

Interest paid

   258,416     313,554     427,206     599,688  

Income taxes paid

   7,766     20,846     28,593     40,137  

Non-cash investing transaction during the year for:

                        

Issuance of stock for net assets of Banco de A. Edwards, as follows:

                        

Cash acquired

   —       —       251,180     352,593  

Financial investments and loans, net

   —       —       2,558,987     3,592,166  

Bank premises and equipment

   —       —       61,214     85,929  

Other assets

   —       —       102,880     144,417  

Liabilities

   —       —       (2,727,709 )   (3,829,008 )
    

 

 

 

Sub-Total

   —       —       246,552     346,097  

Stock issued

   —       —       (246,552 )   (346,097 )
    

 

 

 

Total

   —       —       —       —    
    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes 1 to 30 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-7


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002 and thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Number of
shares


   Paid in
share
capital


   Reserves

   

Other

Accounts


    Net Income

    Total

 
     Millions    MCh$    MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Balance as of January 1, 2000

   44,932.7    221,416    82,729     (1,873 )   64,093     366,365  

Transfer to retained earnings

   —      —      64,093     —       (64,093 )   —    

Price-level restatement

   —      10,406    3,915     —       —       14,321  

Dividends paid

   —      —      (81,503 )   —       —       (81,503 )

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments

   —      —      —       383     —       383  

Net adjustment for translation differences

   —      —      —       953     —       953  

Net Income for the year

   —      —      —       —       81,958     81,958  
    
  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2000

   44,932.7    231,822    69,234     (537 )   81,958     382,477  
    
  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2000 restated in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002

        246,179    73,521     (570 )   87,034     406,164  
         
  

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2001

   44,932.7    231,822    69,234     (537 )   81,958     382,477  

Transfer to retained earnings

   —      —      81,958     —       (81,958 )   —    

Price-level restatement

   —      7,187    2,231     —       —       9,418  

Dividends paid

   —      —      (81,958 )   —       —       (81,958 )

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments

   —      —      —       (1,552 )   —       (1,552 )

Net adjustment for translation differences

   —      —      —       2,915     —       2,915  

Net Income for the year

   —      —      —       —       86,968     86,968  
    
  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2001

   44,932.7    239,009    71,465     826     86,968     398,268  
    
  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2001 restated in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002

        246,179    73,609     852     89,577     410,217  
         
  

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2002

   44,932.7    239,009    71,465     826     86,968     398,268  

Capital increase due to merger (Note 15)

   23,147.1    224,804    4,464     —       10,103     239,371  

Transfer to retained earnings

   —      —      97,068     —       (97,068 )   —    

Price-level restatement

   —      13,914    1,873     —       —       15,787  

Retained earnings

   —      —      3     —       (3 )   —    

Dividends paid

   —      —      (97,068 )   —       —       (97,068 )

Absorption of subsidiaries companies

   —      —      (108 )   —       —       (108 )

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments

   —      —      —       7,620     —       7,620  

Net adjustment for translation differences

   —      —      —       1,725     —       1,725  

Net Income for the year

   —      —      —       —       52,635     52,635  
    
  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2002

   68,079.8    477,727    77,697     10,171     52,635     618,230  
    
  
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes 1 to 30 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

F-8


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a) Basis of presentation

 

Banco de Chile (“Banco de Chile”) is a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile, regulated by the Chilean Superintendencia de Bancos e Instituciones Financieras (the “Superintendency of Banks”) and from 2001 also regulated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a result of the merger with Banco de A. Edwards, a Chilean Bank previously listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Banco de Chile’s shares are also listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange to be traded on the Latinamerican securities market (“LATIBEX”) and the London Stock Exchange through its ADR program.

 

Banco de Chile and its subsidiaries (collectively “the Bank”) operate in a single industry sector. Within this industry, the Bank offers a broad range of banking services to customers ranging from individuals to large corporations. The services are managed in the following segment areas for internal reporting purposes: large corporate banking, middle market corporate banking, retail and personal banking services, international banking services and treasury banking services. The Bank’s subsidiaries provide other services including securities brokerage, mutual fund management factoring, insurance brokerage and financial advisory services.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Chile and regulations of the Superintendency of Banks. For the convenience of the reader, the consolidated financial statements have been translated into english, certain reclassifications have been made and certain subtotals and clarifying account descriptions have been added.

 

As a result of the merger with Banco de A. Edwards (see Note 15), as of January 1, 2002, the Bank increased its capital and recognized all the Banco de A. Edwards’ assets and liabilities, after the elimination of intercompany transactions. The table below presents the subsidiaries of Banco de A. Edwards and its related participation as of December 31, 2001, that were dissolved or absorbed by Banco de Chile’s subsidiaries with the same line of business:

 

Subsidiary


   Interest Owned

     %

Banedwards S.A. Corredores de Bolsa(*)

   99.16

Banedwards S.A. Asesoría Financiera(*)

   99.90

Banedwards S.A. Administradora de Fondos Mutuos(**)

   99.00

Banedwards Administradora de Fondos de Inversión S.A.(*)

   99.51

Banedwards Corredora de Seguros Ltda.(*)

   99.00

Banedwards Factoring S.A.(*)

   99.00

(*)   Subsidiary absorbed by Banchile companies of the same line of business.
(**)   Dissolved company as stated in Note 30 (c).

 

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Chile, the consolidated financial statements do not give retroactive effect to the merger. Note 28 presents the most significant differences between Chilean GAAP and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. As more fully explained in that note, under United States’ accounting rules the consolidated financial statements give retroactive effect to accounting for the merger in a manner similar to a pooling of interests due to the fact that at the time of the merger both entities were under common control, with all periods presented as if Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards had been combined since the date that common control existed.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

(a) Basis of presentation (continued)

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In certain cases generally accepted accounting principles require that assets or liabilities be recorded or disclosed at their fair values. The fair value is the amount at which an asset could be bought or sold or in the case of a liability could be incurred or settled in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Where quoted markets are not available the Bank has estimated such values based on the best information available, including using modeling and other valuation techniques.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations of Banco de Chile and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidation. The majority-owned subsidiaries of Banco de Chile as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 are as follows:

 

    

Interest Owned

%


Subsidiary


   2001

   2002

Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A.

   99.99    99.98

Banchile Factoring S.A.

   99.99    99.52

Banchile Corredores de Seguros Ltda.

   99.99    99.75

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

   99.98    99.68

Banchile Asesoría Financiera S.A.

   99.00    99.52

Banchile Securitizadora S.A.

   99.00    99.00

Socofin S.A.

   —      99.00

Promarket S.A.

   —      99.00

 

(b) Price-level restatement

 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of general price-level accounting in order to reflect the effect of changes in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso for the Bank and its Chilean subsidiaries during each year. At the end of each reporting period, the consolidated financial statements are stated in terms of the general purchasing power of the Chilean peso using changes in the Chilean consumer price index (“CPI”) as determined by the Chilean National Institute of Statistics as follows:

 

  Non-monetary assets, liabilities, and Shareholders’ equity accounts are restated in terms of year-end purchasing power using the “prior month rule”, as described below.

 

  Consistent with general banking practices in Chile, no specific purchasing power adjustments are made to the income statement accounts.

 

  Monetary items are not restated, as such items are, by their nature, stated in terms of current purchasing power in the consolidated financial statements.

 

  The price-level restatement debit or credit in the income statement represents the monetary loss or gain in purchasing power from holding monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

(b) Price-level restatement (continued)

 

  For comparative purposes, the consolidated financial statements for periods through December 31, 2001 have been restated in Chilean pesos of general purchasing power as of December 31, 2002 (“constant pesos”), to reflect changes in the CPI from the financial statement dates to December 31, 2002. This updating does not change the prior year’s financial statements or information in any way except to update the amounts therein to constant pesos of similar purchasing power. Amounts previously presented in constant Chilean pesos as of each balance sheet date have been adjusted by the percentage changes in the Chilean CPI to December 31, 2002, as follows:

 

Year


  

Change

in Index


2000

   6.2%(1)

2001

   3.0%(2)

(1)   Equivalent to the amounts for 2000 multiplied by the change in the CPI for 2001, then by the change in the CPI for 2002.
(2)   Equivalent to the amounts for 2001 multiplied by the change in the CPI for 2002.

 

The general price-level restatements are calculated using the CPI, and are based on the “prior month rule”, in which the inflation adjustments are based on the CPI at the close of the month preceding the close of the respective period or transaction. The CPI is considered by the business community, the accounting profession, and the Chilean government to be the index which most closely complies with the technical requirement to reflect the variation in the general level of prices in the country and, consequently, is widely used for financial reporting purposes in Chile.

 

The values of the CPI used for price-level restatement purposes are as follows:

 

Year


   Index (*)

  

Change

in Index


2000

   106.82    4.7%

2001

   110.10    3.1%

2002

   113.36    3.0%

*   Index as of November 30, of each year under prior month rule described above.

 

The price-level adjusted consolidated financial statements do not purport to represent appraised values, replacement cost, or any other current value of assets at which transactions would take place currently and are only intended to restate all non-monetary financial statement components in terms of local currency of a single purchasing power and to include in the net result for each year the gain or loss in purchasing power arising from the holding of monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation.

 

The net charge to income for price-level restatement is comprised of the following restatements of non-monetary assets and liabilities. These figures are expressed in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2002.

 

     Year ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Shareholders’ equity

   (15,208 )   (9,701 )   (15,787 )

Bank premises and equipment

   3,836     2,520     4,529  

Investment in other companies

   806     571     1,002  

Other, net

   861     660     660  
    

 

 

Net loss from price-level restatement

   (9,705 )   (5,950 )   (9,596 )
    

 

 

 

F-11


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

(c) Index-linked assets and liabilities

 

Certain of the Bank’s interest-bearing assets and liabilities are denominated in index-linked units of account.

 

The principal index-linked unit used in Chile is the Unidad de Fomento (“UF”), a unit of account which changes daily to reflect changes in the CPI. The carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities change with the respective changes in the UF and serve to offset the monetary gains or losses from holding such assets and liabilities. As the Bank’s UF-denominated assets exceed its UF-denominated liabilities, any increase in the Chilean CPI results in a net gain on indexation. Values for the UF are as follows (historical Chilean pesos per UF).

 

December 31,


   Ch$

2000

   15,769.92

2001

   16,262.66

2002

   16,744.12

 

The UF daily indexation adjustments from the 10th day of the month in question to the 9th day of the subsequent month are determined based on the previous month’s changes in the Chilean CPI. The effect of changes in the UF index on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities is reflected in the income statement as an increase or decrease in interest income or expense.

 

(d) Interest revenue and expense recognition

 

Interest revenue and expense are recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method. Loans, investments and liabilities are stated at their cost, adjusted for accrued interest and the indexation adjustment applicable to such balances that are index-linked.

 

The Bank suspends the accrual of interest and principal indexation adjustments on loans when it is determined to be a loss or when it becomes past due. Accrued interest remains on the Bank’s books and is considered a part of the loan balance when determining the provisions for loan losses. Payments received on past due loans are recognized as income, after reducing the balance of accrued interest, if applicable.

 

(e) Foreign currency and derivative activities

 

The Bank enters into forward foreign exchange contracts and spot exchange contracts for its own account and the accounts of its customers. The Bank accounts for forward contracts between foreign currencies at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses on these instruments recognized in other income. Forward contracts between the U.S. dollar and the Chilean peso the U.F. are valued at the closing spot exchange rate of each balance sheet date, with the initial discount or premium being amortized over the life of the contract. In addition to forward contracts, the Bank enters into foreign exchange futures contracts. Futures contracts are marked to market on a daily basis, with the gains and losses recognized in income.

 

In addition, the Bank makes loans and accepts deposits in amounts denominated in foreign currencies. Such assets and liabilities, which are principally denominated in U.S. dollars, are translated at the applicable rate of exchange at the balance sheet date.

 

The amount of net gains and losses on foreign exchange includes the recognition of the effects that variations in the exchange rates have on assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and their gains or losses on foreign exchange spot and forward transactions undertaken by the Bank. The results of such foreign exchange transactions undertaken by the Bank’s subsidiaries are included as other non-operating income (for gross gains) and other non-operating expenses (for gross losses).

 

F-12


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

(e) Foreign currency and derivative activities (continued)

 

The Bank’s interest rate swap agreements are treated as off-balance-sheet financial instruments and the net interest effect, which corresponds to the difference between interest income and interest expense arising from such agreements, is recorded in net income in the period that such differences originate, except for interest rate and cross currency swaps designated as a hedge of the foreign investment portfolio, which are recorded at their estimated fair market values.

 

(f) Financial investments

 

Financial investments traded on a secondary market are shown adjusted to market value, following specific instructions from the Superintendency of Banks. These instructions state that such adjustments should be recognized against income, except in the case of the permanent portfolio, when an equity account, “Change in unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments”, may be directly charged or credited.

 

The application of this adjustment generated a net credit to income of MCh$5,687, MCh$9,493 and MCh$15,572, in 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively, which was included in operating income under “Gains from trading activities”. The adjustment of the permanent portfolio, generated a net credit to equity of MCh$479, a net debit of MCh$1,879 and a net credit of MCh$9,083, in 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

 

Other investments without a secondary market (transferable only among financial institutions), are also valued at market price.

 

The Bank enters into security repurchase agreements as a form of borrowing. In this regard, the Bank’s investments that are sold subject to a repurchase obligation and that serve as collateral for borrowings are reclassified as “investment collateral under agreements to repurchase”. The liability to repurchase the investment is classified as “investments under agreements to repurchase”.

 

The Bank also enters into resale agreements as a form of investment. Under these agreements the Bank purchases securities, which are included as assets under the caption “investments under agreements to resell”.

 

(g) Bank premises and equipment

 

Bank premises and equipment are stated at acquisition cost net of accumulated depreciation and have been restated for price-level changes. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the underlying assets. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to income. The cost of significant renovations and improvements is capitalized.

 

(h) Leasing contracts

 

The Bank leases certain property that meets the criteria for direct financing leases. At the time of entering into a direct financing lease transaction, the Bank records the minimum lease payments receivable as unearned income. Generally, the lessee acquires the leased asset by remitting all lease payments due. There are no significant residual values assumed by the Bank. Unearned income represents the excess of the minimum lease payments receivable plus any estimated residual value over the cost of the property acquired.

 

Unearned income is recognized in such a manner as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the direct financing lease. The net investment in financing leases is classified as “leasing contracts” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

(i) Investments in other companies

 

Shares or rights in other companies which are integral to the operations of the Bank and where the Bank holds a less than majority interest but has significant influence over the operating activities of the invested are accounted for under the equity method. Other minority investments are carried at cost restated for price-level changes.

 

(j) Allowance for loan losses

 

The Bank has set up reserves to cover possible loan losses in accordance with the instructions issued by the Superintendency of Banks, as follows:

 

Global loan loss allowance

 

A global loan loss allowance is calculated by multiplying the Bank’s outstanding loans by the greater of its “risk index” or 0.75%. The Bank’s risk index calculation is based upon a classification of a portion of its customers’ outstanding loans into five categories based upon risk of loss for commercial loans and overdue status for consumer and residential mortgage loans. The classifications for risk index calculation purposes must include the largest commercial loans and represent at least 75% of the commercial loan portfolio, and 100% of consumer and residential mortgage loans. Commercial and consumer loans are classified based on risk in categories denominated A, B, B -, C or D, while residential mortgage loans are classified only as A, B or B-. The total exposure of the bank to each of its customers and the classification of such customer’s loans are continuously reviewed by the commercial officers of the bank and by the control risk division. The provisions required for each category of loans, which are established by the Chilean Superintendency of Banks, are as follows:

 

Category


   Provisions
as a percentage
of aggregate
exposure


A

         0%

B

     1

B-

   20

C

   60

D

   90

 

The resulting weighted average allowance rate is the risk index utilized in the calculation of the global loan loss reserve.

 

Individual loan loss allowance

 

Once a loan becomes overdue for more than 90 days, a specific allowance is calculated for 100% of the uncollateralized portion of the loan. Individual loan loss reserves are required only to the extent that, in the aggregate, they exceed the global loan loss reserve.

 

Voluntary loan loss allowance

 

The Bank has made a provision for voluntary allowance in addition to those required by the rules of the Superintendency of Banks. Such voluntary reserves cover additional risks inherent in the portfolio.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

(j) Allowance for loan losses(continued)

 

Charge-offs

 

Loans are written-off when the collection efforts have been exhausted but not later than the maximum periods prescribed by the Superintendency of Banks, which are as follows:

 

  -   24 months past due (3 months past due for consumer loans) for loans without collateral.

 

  -   36 months past due for loans with collateral.

 

Loan loss recoveries

 

Cash recoveries on written-off loans including loans which were reacquired from the Central Bank, recorded in memorandum accounts (see Note 19), are recorded directly to income.

 

(k) Income taxes

 

Effects of deferred income taxes are recorded in conformity with Technical Bulletins No. 60, 69 and 71, issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants (see Note 21).

 

Income taxes are recognized in an amount that approximates the amount due on the income tax return under Chilean tax legislation.

 

(l) Consolidated statements of cash flows

 

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks. For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 the consolidated statements of cash flows have been prepared in accordance with Technical Bulletin No.65 of the Chilean Association of Accountants. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the consolidated statements of cash flows have been prepared using the post-merger consolidated financial statements of Banco de Chile.

 

(m) Staff severance indemnities

 

The Bank has recorded a liability for long-term severance indemnities in accordance with employment contracts it has with certain employees. The liability, which is payable to specified retiring employees with more than 30 years of service, is recorded at the present value of the accrued benefits, which are calculated by applying a real discount rate to the benefit accrued as of year-end over the estimated average remaining service period. For the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, the obligation has been discounted using the real interest rate of 7.0% per annum.

 

(n) Fees and expenses related to loans

 

Fees and expenses related to loans are deferred and recognized in income over the term of the loans to which they relate, and to the period that the services are performed.

 

(o) Convenience translation to U.S. dollars

 

The Bank maintains its accounting records and prepares its consolidated financial statements in Chilean pesos. The U.S. dollar amounts disclosed in the accompanying financial statements are presented solely for the convenience of the reader at the observed exchange rate for December 31, 2002 of Ch$712.38 per US$1.00. This translation should not be construed as representing that the Chilean peso amounts actually represent or have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at such a rate or, any other rate.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

(p) Translation of financial statements of the Bank’s foreign branches

 

The Bank translates the accounting records of its branch in New York, USA and its agency in Miami, USA to Chilean pesos from US dollars in accordance with guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks which are consistent with Technical Bulletin No. 64, “Accounting for investments Abroad”, issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants. All income statement and balance sheet amounts are translated into Chilean pesos as of the exchange rate in effect as of the applicable balance sheet date. Under this standard the foreign investment recorded in the parent company’s books is price-level restated, the effects of which are reflected in income, while any foreign exchange gains or losses between the Chilean peso and the US Dollar, net of the effects of Chilean inflation, is recorded in shareholders’ equity in the account “Net adjustment for translation differences”.

 

(q) Reclassifications

 

Certain minor reclassifications have been made to balances in the 2000 and 2001 financial statements in order to conform with the 2002 presentation.

 

(r) Assets received in lieu of payment

 

Assets received in lieu of payment are recorded at restated cost less regulatory charge-offs and presented net of a global valuation allowance if the total of the fair value of those assets is lower than restated cost. Regulatory charge-offs are required by the Superintendency of Banks if the asset is not sold within one year from foreclosure. As instructed, charge-offs are recorded on a straight-line basis over the following 18-month period.

 

2. Changes in Accounting Principles

 

(a) In accordance with Circular No. 3,196 issued by the Superintendency of Banks, effective October 31, 2002 the Bank modified its accounting treatment of financial investments in mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank. This change consisted in reducing from assets the amount recorded for mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank, and from liabilities, the respective mortgage finance bonds obligation. Likewise, the difference between the amount deducted from related assets and liabilities, was recognized under other assets, and is amortized using the straight-line method based on the term of the obligation. As of October 31, 2002 the effect of the indicated change resulted in a decrease of MCh$202,630 from “other financial investments”, a decrease of MCh$200,766 from “mortgage finance bonds”, and recognizing a net amount of MCh$1,864 under “other assets”. As of December 31, 2002 the Bank records a net amount of MCh$1,898 under “Other assets”.

 

From that date the market value adjustment on financial investments in mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank was suspended, recognizing the purchase value and interest and accrued readjustments in memorandum accounts.

 

(b) In accordance with Circular No. 3,061, dated June 27, 2000, and Circular letter No. 3 related to banking subsidiaries, dated June 14, 2000, issued by Superintendency of Banks, if assets received or awarded in lieu of payment, and assets recovered from leasing operations, are not sold within one year, then recorded asset amounts must be written-off on at least a straight-line basis over the following 18-month period. The previous Superintendency of Banks regulation required that such assets not sold within one year be completely written-off at that date. This change in policy, applied by the Bank from January 1, 2001, resulted in a lower expense of MCh$1,418 for the year ended December 31, 2001.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

3. Cash and Due from Banks

 

Included in cash and due from banks are amounts maintained by the Bank with various foreign and local banks, including the Chilean Central Bank (“Central Bank”).

 

In accordance with guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks, the Bank must maintain certain non-interest bearing balances in its account with the Central Bank. The required balances are based upon specified financial criteria, including the level of the Bank’s deposits, the amounts of its foreign borrowings and its average liabilities. These restricted cash amounts totaled MCh$124,096 and MCh$237,383 as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

 

4. Financial Investments

 

A summary of financial investments is as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

  

Weighted

Average

Nominal

Rate as of

December 31,

     2001

   2002

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$    %

Central Bank and Government Securities

              

Marketable debt securities

   541,803    593,136    2.85

Marketable debt securities with limited secondary market

   396,903    270,739    3.50

Chilean government securities

   26,948    5,476    5.74

Investments purchased under agreements to resell

   30,512    32,177    4.05

Investments collateral under agreements to repurchase

   79,033    195,033    3.42
    
  
  

Subtotal

   1,075,199    1,096,561    3.16
    
  
  

Corporate Securities and Other Financial Investments

              

Investments in Chilean financial institutions

   6,428    45,044    4.50

Mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank

   142,763    —      —  

Foreign government notes

   254,216    188,948    2.77

Investments in foreign countries

   126,511    139,277    6.24

Other financial investments

   28,588    47,646    6.14

Investments collateral under agreements to repurchase

   65,501    81,424    4.72
    
  
  

Subtotal

   624,007    502,339    4.52
    
  
  

Total

   1,699,206    1,598,900    3.59
    
  
  

 

Financial investments are classified at the time of the purchase, based on management’s intentions, as either trading or permanent. The related amounts are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

     2001    2002
    
  
     MCh$    MCh$

Permanent

   362,413    276,422

Trading

   1,336,793    1,322,478
    
  

Total

   1,699,206    1,598,900
    
  

 

F-17


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

5. Loans

 

The loans included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are segregated into subcategories as described below.

 

Commercial loans are long-term and short-term loans made to companies or businesses. These loans are principally granted in Chilean pesos or UF on an adjustable or fixed rate basis to finance working capital or investments.

 

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

 

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

 

Foreign trade loans are fixed rate, short-term loans granted in foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollars) to finance imports and exports.

 

Interbank loans are fixed rate, short-term loans to financial institutions that operate in Chile.

 

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

 

Other outstanding loans principally include current account overdrafts, bills of exchange and other mortgage loans which are financed by the Bank’s general borrowings.

 

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

 

Contingent loans consist of open and unused letters of credit together with guarantees granted by the Bank in Ch$, UF and foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollars).

 

The following table summarizes the most significant loan concentrations expressed as a percentage of total loans, excluding contingent loans and before allowance for loan losses:

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     %    %

Financial Services

   18.98    19.65

Residential mortgage loans

   18.35    17.93

Manufacturing

   12.54    10.21

Commerce

   12.02    11.85

Agriculture, livestock, agribusiness, fishing

   11.46    8.43

Consumer loans

   9.80    13.97

 

Substantial portions of the Bank’s loans are to borrowers doing business in Chile.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

6. Leasing Contracts

 

The Bank’s scheduled cash flows to be received from leasing contracts have the following maturities as of December 31, 2002:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

Maturity


  

Total

Receivable


  

Unearned

Income


   

Net lease

Receivable


     MCh$    MCh$     MCh$
                 

Due within one year

   99,816    (22,854 )   76,962

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   54,049    (11,671 )   42,378

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   39,694    (8,965 )   30,729

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   26,922    (6,955 )   19,967

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   22,307    (5,498 )   16,809

Due after 5 years

   76,101    (13,853 )   62,248
    
  

 

Total leasing contracts

   318,889    (69,796 )   249,093
    
  

 

 

Leased assets consist principally of real estate, industrial machinery, vehicle, and computer equipment. The allowance for uncollectible lease receivable was MCh$10,611 as of December 31, 2002 (MCh$9,865 as of December 31, 2001), which forms part of the allowance for loan losses.

 

7. Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated are as follows:

 

     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Balance as of January 1,

   112,406     119,930     136,343  

Banco de A. Edwards balances as of January 1, 2002

   —       —       96,404  

Price-level restatement(1)

   (4,723 )   (2,994 )   (6,435 )

Charge-offs

   (28,421 )   (27,857 )   (110,962 )

Allowances established

   41,862     48,434     125,127  

Allowances released

   (1,194 )   (1,170 )   (24,483 )
    

 

 

Balance as of December 31,

   119,930     136,343     215,994  
    

 

 


(1)   Reflects the effect of inflation and exchange rate changes of branches abroad on the allowance for loan losses at the beginning of each period, adjusted to constant pesos of December 31, 2002.

 

The allowance for loan losses included in the results of operations for the periods indicated is as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Allowances established

   (41,862 )   (48,434 )   (125,127 )

Allowances released

   1,194     1,170     24,483  
    

 

 

Net income charge

   (40,668 )   (47,264 )   (100,644 )
    

 

 

 

F-19


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

8. Bank Premises and Equipment, net

 

The major categories of Bank premises and equipment net of accumulated depreciation are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Land and buildings

   62,058    99,369

Furniture and fixtures

   13,329    19,454

Machinery and equipment

   10,798    17,738

Vehicles

   300    530

Others

   1,174    2,252
    
  

Bank premises and equipment, net

   87,659    139,343
    
  

 

In accordance with rules of the Superintendency of Banks, Bank premises and equipment are presented net of accumulated depreciation.

 

9. Investments in other companies

 

As of December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, investments in other companies and the Bank’s participation in such companies’ results of operations for each of the periods indicated, consist of the following:

 

     As of and for the years ended December 31,

     2000

    2001

    2002

   

Ownership

Interest
2002


     Investment

   Income
(Loss)


    Investment

   Income
(Loss)


    Investment

    Income
(Loss)


   
     MCh$    MCh$     MCh$    MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     %

Artikos S.A.

   —      —       666    (98 )   (68 )   (1,244 )   50.00

Servipag Ltda.

   639    (39 )   666    27     716     50     50.00

Redbanc S.A.

   461    99     444    82     872     151     25.42

Soc. Operadora de Tarjetas de Crédito Nexus S.A.

   142    (126 )   413    (218 )   874     48     25.81

Transbank S.A.

   300    (49 )   353    54     835     128     17.44

Bolsa de Valores de Chile (Stock Exchange)

   60    (8 )   320    60     122     1     5.00

Centro de Compensación Automatizado S.A. (CCA S.A.)

   171    18     140    31     152     12     33.33

Sociedad Interbancaria de Depósito de Valores S.A.

   101    27     140    39     243     43     17.60

Empresa de Tarjetas Inteligentes S.A.

   65    2     70    (22 )   155     (144 )   26.67

Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago (Stock Exchange)

   332    79     61    1     636     93     4.17
    
  

 
  

 

 

   

Total investments in other companies accounted for under the equity method

   2,271    3     3,273    (44 )   4,537     (862 )    

Other investments carried at cost

   245    —       247    —       240     (108 )    
    
  

 
  

 

 

   

Total investments in other companies

   2,516    3     3,520    (44 )   4,777     (970 )    
    
  

 
  

 

 

   

 

F-20


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

10. Other Assets and Other Liabilities

 

(a) Other assets

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Deferred income tax assets

   27,023    70,034

Amounts receivable under spot foreign exchange transaction

   11,669    29,950

Credit card charges in process

   16,719    27,471

Assets for leasing

   2,918    23,531

Dividends receivable

   —      6,474

Transactions in process

   7,550    19,136

Accounts receivable for assets received in lieu of payment sold

   91    3,432

Accounts receivable for financial investments

   21    3,339

Deferred loan origination and service costs

   —      3,213

Transitory assets

   1,252    —  

Deferred software cost

   976    3,148

Recoverable taxes

   1,739    2,763

Deferred asset related to mortgage finance bonds issued by the bank

   —      1,898

VAT fiscal credit

   935    1,284

Brokerage operations

   670    1,254

Materials and supplies

   730    956

Prepaid advertising expenses

   951    863

Other deferred expenses

   529    643

Derivative instruments, net

   5,939    —  

Other

   9,233    12,683
    
  

Total other assets

   88,945    212,072
    
  

 

(b) Other liabilities

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Accounts payable

   13,685    35,533

Deferred income tax liabilities

   8,251    29,986

Amounts payable under spot foreign exchange transaction

   41,594    28,200

Documents in transit

   27,230    22,537

Accrued staff vacation expense

   5,645    8,611

Derivative instruments, net

   —      8,481

Accrued severance staff indemnities

   4,451    7,648

Deferred loan origination and service fees

   5,472    6,381

Transactions in process

   2,017    2,710

Administration and credit card contract provision

   1,487    2,213

VAT fiscal debit

   1,434    2,171

Legal contingencies provision

   127    1,088

Other

   7,223    18,653
    
  

Total other liabilities

   118,616    174,212
    
  

 

F-21


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

10. Other Assets and Other Liabilities (continued)

 

(c) Contingent Liabilities

 

Contingent liabilities consist of open and unused letters of credit, together with guarantees granted by the Bank in Chilean pesos, UF and foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollars). The liability represents the Bank’s obligations under such agreements. The Bank’s rights under these agreements are recognized as assets on the Bank’s balance sheets under the caption “Contingent loans”. (See note 5).

 

11. Other Interest Bearing Liabilities

 

The Bank’s long-term and short-term borrowings are summarized below. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks, the Bank does not present a classified balance sheet. Borrowings are described as short-term when they have original maturities of less than one year or are due on demand. All other borrowings are described as long-term, including the amounts due within one year on such borrowings.

 

     As of December 31, 2001

   As of December 31, 2002

     Long-term

   Short-term

   Total

   Long-term

   Short-term

   Total

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Central Bank Credit lines for renegotiation of loans

   2,468    —      2,468    3,763    —      3,763

Other Central Bank borrowings

   —      33,709    33,709    —      —      —  

Mortgage finance bonds

   887,126    —      887,126    1,084,041    —      1,084,041

Bonds

   —      —      —      4,593    —      4,593

Subordinated bonds

   183,891    —      183,891    277,654    —      277,654

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   12    25,696    25,708    126    50,362    50,488

Foreign borrowings

   288,491    10,777    299,268    331,770    178,574    510,344

Investments under agreements to repurchase

   —      163,124    163,124    —      276,675    276,675

Other obligations

   29,722    17,013    46,735    45,861    30,909    76,770
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total other interest bearing liabilities

   1,391,710    250,319    1,642,029    1,747,808    536,520    2,284,328
    
  
  
  
  
  

 

(a) Central Bank borrowings

 

Central Bank borrowings include credit lines for the renegotiation of loans and other Central Bank borrowings. Credit lines were provided by the Central Bank for the renegotiation of mortgage loans due to the need to refinance debts as a result of the economic recession and crisis of the Chilean banking system from 1982 to 1985. The credit lines for the renegotiations of mortgage loans are linked to the UF index and carry a real annual interest rate of 3.0%. The maturities of the outstanding amounts, are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   3,763

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   —  

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   —  

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term (Credit lines for renegotiation of loans)

   3,763

Total short-term (Other Central Bank borrowings)

   —  
    

Total Central Bank borrowings

   3,763
    

 

F-22


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

11. Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

 

(b) Mortgage finance bonds

 

These bonds are used to finance the granting of mortgage loans. The outstanding principal amounts of the bonds are amortized on a quarterly basis. The range of maturities of these bonds is between five and twenty years. The bonds are linked to the UF index and carry a weighted average annual rate of interest of 6.7% as of December 31, 2002.

 

The maturities of outstanding mortgage bond amounts as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   124,031

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   109,062

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   109,282

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   108,468

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   104,913

Due after 5 years

   528,285
    

Total mortgage finance bonds

   1,084,041
    

 

(c) Bonds

 

The maturities of outstanding bonds amounts as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   1,563

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   844

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   844

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   844

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   498

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total bonds

   4,593
    

 

Bonds are linked to the UF Index and carried an average real annual interest rate of 6.8% as of December 31, 2002, with interest and principal payments due semi-annually. The bonds were originally intended to finance loans that had a maturity of greater than one year.

 

(d) Subordinated bonds

 

In 2001 the Bank issued Bonds totaling UF 1,580,000 (known as “6.5% Bonds”) at a discount of UF 98,670. The 6.5% Bonds are linked to the UF index with interest and principal payments due semi-annually. The discount on the issuance of the “6.5% Bonds” is amortized over the life of the bond. As of December 31, 2002, the effective real interest rate is 7.0%, taking into consideration the discount on issuance.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

11. Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

 

(d) Subordinated bonds (continued)

 

The 6.5% Bonds are intended for the financing of loans having a maturity of greater than one year. As of December 31, 2002 the outstanding maturities of these bonds, which are considered long-term, are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   16,039

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   11,098

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   12,241

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   13,329

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   14,937

Due after 5 years

   210,010
    

Total subordinated bonds

   277,654
    

 

Subordinated bonds are considered in the calculation of “effective equity” for the purpose of determining the Bank’s minimum capital requirements (See Note 14).

 

(e) Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

 

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions are used to fund the Bank’s general activities, carry a weighted average annual real interest rate of 2.38% and have the following outstanding maturities as of December 31, 2002.

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   126

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   —  

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   —  

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term

   126

Total short-term

   50,362
    

Total borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   50,488
    

 

F-24


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

11. Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

 

(f) Foreign borrowings

 

The Bank has short-term and long-term borrowings from foreign banks. The outstanding maturities of these borrowings as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   273,579

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   52,596

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   5,469

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   126

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term

   331,770

Total short-term

   178,574
    

Total foreign borrowings

   510,344
    

 

All of these loans are denominated in U.S. dollars, are principally used to fund the Bank’s foreign trade loans and carry an average annual nominal interest rate of 4.73% as of December 31, 2002.

 

(g) Other obligations

 

    

As of

December 31,


     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Other long-term obligations:

         

Payable accounts

   348    874

Obligations with Chilean government

   29,374    44,987
    
  

Total other long-term obligations

   29,722    45,861

Other short-term obligations

   17,013    30,909
    
  

Total other obligations

   46,735    76,770
    
  

 

As of December 31, 2002, other obligations had the following maturities:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   11,572

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   9,234

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   6,529

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   5,618

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   4,302

Due after 5 years

   8,606
    

Total long-term

   45,861

Total short-term

   30,909
    

Total other obligations

   76,770
    

 

F-25


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

12. Obligations Arising From Lease Commitments

 

The Bank leases certain premises under operating leases. The following table shows the future minimum payments under the terms of the lease commitments, expressed in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002.

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   4,637

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   4,177

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   3,353

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   2,540

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   1,723

Due after 5 years

   4,327
    

Total obligations arising from lease commitments

   20,757
    

 

The rental expense on premises was MCh$2,979, MCh$2,825 and MCh$6,556 for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively, and is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income under “Administrative and other expenses”.

 

13. Derivative Financial Instruments

 

(a) Derivative activities

 

The Bank takes positions in the foreign exchange market by the use of forward exchange contracts and spot exchange contracts. These activities constitute proprietary trading business and help the Bank to provide customers with capital markets products.

 

(b) Market risk and risk management activities

 

All derivative instruments are subject to market risk. This is defined as the risk that future changes in market conditions may make an investment more or less valuable. As most of these instruments are recognized at market value for the purposes of Chilean GAAP, these changes directly affect reported income. The Bank manages exposure to market risk in accordance with risk limits set by senior management by buying or selling instruments or entering into off-setting positions.

 

The Bank is exposed to credit related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to these financial instruments, risk that is monitored on an ongoing basis. In order to manage the level of credit risk, the Bank enters into transactions with counterparties whom it believes have a good credit standing and, when appropriate, obtains collateral.

 

The Central Bank requires that foreign exchange forward contracts be made only in U.S. dollars and other major foreign currencies. In the case of the Bank, most forward contracts are made in U.S. dollars against the Chilean peso or the UF. Occasionally, forward contracts are also made in other currencies, but only when the Bank acts as an intermediary. Unrealized gains, losses, premiums and discounts arising from foreign exchange forward contracts are shown on a net basis under “Other assets” and “Other liabilities”. (See note 10).

 

F-26


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

13. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

 

(b) Market risk and risk management activities (continued)

 

The notional amounts of these contracts as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 are as follows:

 

          Notional contract amounts

     Number of
operations


  

Less than

3 months


  

Over

3 months


Description of transaction


   2001

   2002

   2001

   2002

   2001

   2002

               ThUS$    ThUS$    ThUS$    ThUS$
                               

Local Market:

                             

- Foreign currency future purchase contracts with Chilean currency

   109    588    64,493    242,234    225,578    867,936

- Foreign currency future sale contracts with Chilean currency

   328    521    200,815    265,838    419,527    822,707

- Foreign currency forward contracts

   23    75    —      4,351    6,181    4,537

Foreign Markets:

                             

- Foreign currency forward contracts

   33    70    1,627    48,286    6,237    7,936

- Foreign currency futures sold

   138    175    14,166    —      —      17,588

- Interest rate swaps

   16    78    —      —      61,000    635,798

 

The amounts refer to United States dollar amounts purchased or sold, or the equivalent in United States dollars of the foreign currency purchased or sold or the future amount, or the amount on which interest rate contracts are agreed. The period refers to the contract maturity from the date of the transaction.

 

(c) Contracts on the value of authorized readjustment systems (A.R.S.) and on interest rates in Chilean currency.

 

          Contract amounts

     Number of
operations


   Less than 3 months

   Over 3 months

Description of transaction


   2001

   2002

   2001

   2002

   2001

   2002

               MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$
                               

UF/pesos forward contracts purchased

   1    17    837    1,674    —      34,325

UF/pesos forward contracts sold

   1    5    837    —      —      2,547

Interest rate swaps

   3    —      —      —      33,501    —  

 

(d) Fair value of traded instruments

 

The table below sets forth the estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments held or issued by the Bank for trading purposes as of December 31, 2001 and 2002.

 

     Fair value as of December 31,

 
     2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$  

Contracts to purchase foreign exchange

   (2,305 )   (7,603 )

Contracts to sell foreign exchange

   5,448     12,449  

 

For those instruments held by the Bank where no quoted market prices are available, fair values have been estimated using modeling and other valuation techniques.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

14. Minimum Capital Requirements

 

In accordance with the Chilean Banking Law, Chilean Banks are required to maintain a minimum equity level of UF800,000, equivalent to MCh$ 13,395 as of December 31, 2002. In addition, Chilean Banks are required to maintain a minimum “capital” (capital and reserves) of at least 3% of their total assets net of provisions, and an “effective equity” of not less than 8% of their “risk-weighted assets”. The “effective equity” is defined as “net capital base” plus subordinated bonds, up to 50% of the capital and reserves, plus voluntary provisions of up to 1.25% of their risk-weighted assets. The value of the subordinated bonds that can be considered in the “effective equity” should decrease by 20% per year beginning six years prior to maturity.

 

The Bank’s actual qualifying “net capital base” and “effective equity” used to support its “risk-weighted assets” as of December 31, 2002, are set forth in the following table:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


 
     MCh$  

Basic Capital

   565,595  

3% of total assets net of provisions

   (259,031 )
    

Excess over minimum required equity

   306,564  
    

Net capital base as a percentage of the total assets, net of provisions

   6.55 %

Effective equity

   822,928  

8% of risk-weighted assets

   (481,026 )
    

Excess over minimum required equity

   341,902  
    

Effective equity as a percentage of the risk-weighted assets(*)

   13.69 %

(*)   This ratio has been determined on total assets adjusted by risk on a consolidated basis, as established by Circular No.3,178 dated June 7, 2002, from the Superintendency of Banks.

 

15. Shareholders’ Equity

 

(a) The merger

 

At the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Banco de Chile, held on December 6, 2001, the merger by incorporation of Banco de A. Edwards and Banco de Chile, with the later acquiring all assets an assuming all liabilities of the former, incorporating all equity, which includes net income for the year ended December 31, 2001, and shareholders of Banco de A. Edwards into Banco de Chile was approved. Later, on December 18, 2001 at Banco de A. Edwards’ Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting the merger was approved on the same terms, also obtaining the approval from the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions on December 21, 2001. The merger became effective as of January 1, 2002.

 

For this purpose the Shareholders’ meeting agreed that the merged bank issue 23,147,126,425 registered shares, without par value, to be given to Banco de A. Edwards’ shareholders in a proportion of 3.135826295 Banco de Chile shares for each Banco de A. Edwards’ share. Consequently, Banco de Chile’s paid in capital was divided between a total of 68,079,783,605 shares.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

15. Shareholders’ Equity (continued)

 

(b) Dividends

 

Dividends are declared and paid during the year subsequent to that in which the related net income was earned.

 

Dividends declared and paid in 2000, 2001 and 2002 in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

     Paid during the year ended
December 31,


     2000

   2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Dividends relating to prior year net income

   86,551    84,417    97,068
    
  
  

 

16. Transactions with Related Parties

 

In accordance with the rules of the Superintendency of Banks, related parties are defined as individuals or companies who are directors, officers, or shareholders who own more than 1% of the Bank’s shares.

 

Entities in which a director, officer or shareholder of the Bank holds more than a 5% interest as well as entities that have directors in common with the Bank are also considered to be related parties. In the following tables, trading and manufacturing companies are defined as operating companies, and companies whose purpose is to hold shares in other companies are defined as investment companies.

 

(a) Loans granted to related parties

 

Loans to related parties, all of which are current, are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     Loans

  

Collateral

Pledged


   Loans

  

Collateral

Pledged


   Loans

  

Collateral

Pledged


     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Operating companies

   75,673    32,885    50,523    16,278    96,424    23,019

Investment companies

   12,535    66    4,279    55    6,944    2,208

Individuals(1)

   1,055    846    3,540    860    1,754    1,373
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   89,263    33,797    58,342    17,193    105,122    26,600
    
  
  
  
  
  
___________
(1)
  Includes only debt obligations that are equal to or greater than UF 3,000, equivalent to approximately MCh$50 as of December 31, 2002.

 

The activity in the balances of loans to related parties are as follows:

 

     2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$  

Balance as of January 1

   89,263     58,342  

Banco de A. Edwards balances as of January 1, 2002

   —       31,068  

New loans

   131,206     74,508  

Repayments

   (159,443 )   (56,191 )

Price-level restatement(1)

   (2,684 )   (2,605 )
    

 

Balance as of December 31

   58,342     105,122  
    

 

___________
(1)
 Reflects the effect of restatement of beginning balances to constant pesos of December 31, 2002.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

16. Transactions with Related Parties (continued)

 

(b) Other transactions with related parties.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, the Bank incurred the following expenses and income as a result of transactions with related parties equal to or greater than UF 5,000 equivalent to approximately MCh$84 as of December 31, 2002.

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     Expense

   Revenue

   Expense

   Revenue

   Expense

   Revenue

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Transbank S.A.

   2,324    —      2,287    —      3,384    —  

Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A.

   1,275    —      1,137    —      2,617    —  

Redbanc S.A.

   1,367    —      1,511    —      2,217    —  

Operadora de Tarjetas de Crédito Nexus S.A.

   1,029    —      1,148    —      1,592    —  

Sociedad y Promoción y Eventos Mundo Edwards S.A.

   —      —      —      —      414    —  

Corporación Cultural de la Ilustre Municipalidad de Santiago

   —      —      —      —      350    —  

Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A.

   —      —      —      —      333    —  

Depósito Central de Valores S.A.

   —      —      —      —      192    —  

Banedwards Cía de Seguros de Vida S.A.

   —      —      —      —      156    —  

Empresa de Servicios Especializados S.A.

   —      —      —      —      155    —  

Hoteles Carrera S.A.

   —      —      —      —      150    —  

Entel Telefonía Local S.A.

   134    —      153    —      113    —  

Telefónica del Sur Carrier S.A.

   —      —      —      —      101    —  

Compañía Nacional de Teléfonos Telefónica del Sur S.A.

   —      —      —      —      100    —  

Empresa de Tarjetas Inteligentes S.A.

   —      —      —      —      91    —  

Editorial Trineo S.A.

   —      —      —      —      23    —  

Línea Aérea Nacional Chile S.A.

   —      103    —      104    —      103
    
  
  
  
  
  

Subtotal

   6,129    103    6,236    104    11,988    103
    
  
  
  
  
  

Transactions between 1,000 and 5,000 UF:

                             

Services expenses

   212    —      177    —      330    —  

Telephone expenses

   82    —      102    —      33    —  

Rental expense

   71    —      —      —      —      —  

Rental income.

   —      46    —      44    —      —  
    
  
  
  
  
  

Subtotal

   365    46    279    44    363    —  
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   6,494    149    6,515    148    12,351    103
    
  
  
  
  
  

 

These expense and revenue items are for services received and rendered by the Bank from related parties at market rates. Article 89 of the Chilean Corporations Law requires that the Bank’s transactions with related parties be carried out on a market basis or on terms similar to those prevailing in the market.

 

During the course of 2002, the Bank entered into the following related party transactions, all of which were reported to the Chilean Superintendency of Banks:

 

  In June 2002, the Bank acquired 100% of the shares of Promarket from Inmobiliaria El Rosal S.A. and Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada for Ch$282,285 per share. The total aggregate purchase price was Ch$279 million of which Ch$141 million was paid to Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada and Ch$138 million was paid to Inmobiliaria El Rosal S.A. At the time of the purchase, Inmobiliaria El Rosal was owned by Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors, and Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada, which was owned by Quiñenco.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

16. Transactions with Related Parties (continued)

 

(b) Other transactions with related parties (continued)

 

  In June 2002, the Bank acquired 100% of the shares in Baned Servicios Especializados S.A. from Inmobiliaria El Rosal, Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada and Inversiones El Norte y Inmobiliaria El Rosal for Ch$30,900 per share. The total aggregate purchase price was Ch$309 million, of which Ch$1.5 million was paid to Inmobiliaria El Rosal, Ch$1.5 million was paid to Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada and Ch$306 million was paid to Inversiones El Norte y Inmobiliaria El Rosal. Baned Servicios Especializados subsequently changed its name to Socofin. At the time of the purchase, Inmobiliaria El Rosal was owned by Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of the Bank’s Board of directors. Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada was owned by Quiñenco and Inversiones El Norte y Inmobiliaria El Rosal was owned by Quiñenco and Mr. Jacob Ergas;

 

  In August 2002, the Bank, as successor of Banco de A. Edwards, and Inversiones Vita S.A., Inersa S.A. and Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada, amended a preliminary purchase agreement dated November 9, 2000, which had been entered into in connection with the purchase of 100% of the shares of Banchile Seguros de Vida. According to this Agreement, the Bank will be allowed to purchase such shares at market conditions if the General Banking Law is amended in the future to allow Banks to own Insurance Companies. Inversiones Vita is beneficially owned by Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of the Bank’s Board of directors. Inersa is beneficially owned by Mr. Andronico Luksic, the Vice Chairman of the Bank’s Board of directors; Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada is owned by Quiñenco.

 

  In August 2002, the Bank, along with Banchile Corredores de Serguros Limitada and Banchile Seguros de Vida, amended several provisions of a master agreement, distribution agreement and the collection agreement executed by Banco de A. Edwards, Banedwards Corredora de Seguros Limitada and Banedwards Compañia de Seguros S.A., respectively. Under the terms of the amendment, the parties agreed to extend the term of the agreements until December 31, 2011. Banchile Seguros de Vida is beneficially owned by Mr. Jacob Ergas, a member of the Bank’s Board of directors, and by Mr. Andronico Luksic, the Vice Chairman of the Bank’s Board of directors;

 

  In November 2002, the Bank executed an amendment to the agreement with Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. relating to data transmission, private telephone communication services and other additional services for branch network. The amendment amended the description of services and amount of fees according to the Bank’s new requirements and structure following the merger with Banco de A. Edwards. Quiñenco has a passive investment interest in Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, which is beneficially owned by Mr. Andronico Luksic, the Vice Chairman of the Bank’s Board of directors.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

17. Fees and income from services and non-operating income and expenses

 

The Bank’s fees and income from services and non-operating income and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 are summarized as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     Income

   Expenses

   Income

   Expenses

   Income

   Expenses

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Fees and income from services

                             

Demand deposits and overdrafts

   10,546    —      12,982    —      17,736    —  

Mutual funds and stock brokerage

   9,705    889    11,599    923    16,180    1,755

Credit cards

   6,089    450    8,098    653    14,677    745

Collection services

   2,448    —      2,293    —      8,919    —  

Automated teller machines

   4,225    1,229    4,758    1,354    8,001    2,576

Credit lines

   3,543    —      2,137    —      7,544    —  

Collection and payment of services

   5,970    2,584    6,427    2,687    5,868    2,738

Letters of credit guarantees, collaterals and other contingent loans

   3,142    —      3,343    —      4,041    —  

Income and expense from goods received in lieu of payment

   135    430    343    686    2,932    1,713

Insurance brokerage

   1,629    571    2,401    707    2,750    712

Financial services

   1,163    7    1,000    62    1,910    19

Foreign trade services

   1,234    —      1,518    —      1,749    —  

Bancuenta Credichile Administration

   1,067    —      1,291    —      1,716    —  

Leasing collections

   3,497    1,655    717    892    1,668    479

Custody and trust services

   550    —      631    —      589    —  

Fees from sales force

   —      1,649    —      2,004    —      5,014

Other

   2,009    951    3,711    914    7,552    1,395
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   56,952    10,415    63,249    10,882    103,832    17,146
    
  
  
  
  
  

Non-operating income and expenses

                             

Rental income

   3,092    —      2,983    —      2,686    —  

Recoveries of expenses

   449    —      688    —      967    —  

Gains on sales of assets received in lieu of payment

   1,553    —      2,846    —      902    —  

Income from correspondent banks

   102    —      654    —      578    —  

Income from sale of fixed assets

   1,889    —      134    —      519    —  

Securities in companies and shares

   97    —      84    —      295    —  

Miscellaneous gains on exchange

   140    —      185    —      233    —  

Overestimated provision

   139    —      426    —      142    —  

Charge-offs and provision of assets received in lieu of payment

   —      1,894    —      1,265    —      8,290

Charge-offs and provision related to fixed assets due to the merger

   —      —      —      —      —      4,348

Administration and credit card contracts

   —      1,191    —      2,613    —      3,042

Charge-offs of transaction in process related to the merger

   —      —      —      —      —      2,016

Charge-offs

   —      734    —      560    —      1,302

Legal contingencies provision

   —      —      —      127    —      962

Delivery services of bank products

   —      343    —      571    —      638

Indemnity for termination of rental contracts

   —      —      —      —      —      582

Leasing expenses

   —      559    —      478    —      7

Other

   317    1,703    210    714    461    1,835
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   7,778    6,424    8,210    6,328    6,783    23,022
    
  
  
  
  
  

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

18. Board of Directors Compensation

 

The following fees were paid to members of the Board of Directors as remuneration for their services, as established at the general shareholders’ meetings, and for attendance fees:

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Remuneration and attendance fees

   851    1,233    1,667
    
  
  

 

19. Loan Loss Recoveries

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Loan portfolio previously charged-off

   7,440    8,917    11,196

Loans reacquired from Central Bank

   1,916    1,018    718
    
  
  

Total

   9,356    9,935    11,914
    
  
  

 

Recovery of loans reacquired from the Central Bank includes payments received on such loans which at the date of their repurchase from the Central Bank were deemed to have no value and were recorded in memorandum accounts.

 

20. Foreign Currency Position

 

The consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which have been translated to Chilean pesos at the Observed Exchange Rates as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and assets and liabilities denominated in Chilean pesos but that contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, detailed below:

 

     As of December 31, 2001

   As of December 31, 2002

    

Payable in

Foreign

Currency


   

Payable in
Chilean

Pesos


   Total

  

Payable in

Foreign

Currency


   

Payable in
Chilean

Pesos


   Total

     MCh$     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$     MCh$    MCh$

ASSETS

                               

Cash and due from banks

   150,289     —      150,289    161,350     —      161,350

Loans

   564,256     56,840    621,096    863,456     52,918    916,374

Contingent loans

   159,969     138    160,107    201,099     —      201,099

Interbank loans

   11,726     —      11,726    6,306     —      6,306

Financial investments

   436,908     194,091    630,999    375,019     424,851    799,870

Leasing contracts

   —       53,868    53,868    —       58,348    58,348

Other assets

   24,371     —      24,371    104,044     —      104,044
    

 
  
  

 
  

Total assets

   1,347,519     304,937    1,652,456    1,711,274     536,117    2,247,391
    

 
  
  

 
  

LIABILITIES

                               

Deposits

   788,922     24    788,946    1,261,851     1,188    1,263,039

Contingent liabilities

   160,252     —      160,252    201,337     —      201,337

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   —       —      —      8,852     —      8,852

Foreign borrowings

   298,803     465    299,268    510,310     —      510,310

Other liabilities

   332,914     500    333,414    185,940     5,084    191,024
    

 
  
  

 
  

Total liabilities

   1,580,891     989    1,581,880    2,168,290     6,272    2,174,562
    

 
  
  

 
  

NET (LIABILITIES) ASSETS

   (233,372 )   303,948    70,576    (457,016 )   529,845    72,829
    

 
  
  

 
  

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

21. Income Taxes

 

The Bank has recorded the effects of deferred taxes on its consolidated financial statements in accordance with Technical Bulletin No.60 and the complementary technical bulletins there to issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants.

 

As described in these accounting standards, beginning January 1, 1999, the Bank recognized the consolidated tax effects generated by the temporary differences between financial and tax values of assets and liabilities. At the same date, the net deferred tax determined was completely offset against a net “complementary” account. Such complementary deferred tax balances are being amortized over the estimated reversal periods corresponding to the underlying temporary differences as of January 1, 1999. The net balance to be amortized as of December 31, 2001 was MCh$3,660, and as of December 31, 2002 was MCh$803. In accordance with Technical Bulletin N° 60, deferred tax asset and liability amounts are presented on the balance sheet net of the related unamortized complementary account balances in the balance sheet. The corresponding movements and effects of which are as follows:

 

    

Balance as of
December 31,
2001

(1)


   

Incorporation
of Banco de A.
Edwards

(1)


   

Total

(1)


    2002
Amortizations


  

2002

Deferred taxes


   

Balance as of

December 31,
2002


 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$    MCh$     MCh$  

Deferred tax assets

                                   

Obligations with repurchase agreements

   7,029     —       7,029          18,364     25,393  

Global allowances for loan losses

   10,038     9,615     19,653          2,080     21,733  

Leasing equipment

   2,230     921     3,151          2,047     5,198  

Voluntary allowances for loan losses

   5,029     638     5,667          (2,275 )   3,392  

Charge-offs from financial investment

   —       —       —            2,312     2,312  

Accrued interests and readjustments from risky loan portfolio

   1,433     429     1,862          (188 )   1,674  

Staff vacations

   766     391     1,157          164     1,321  

Accruals interest and readjustments from past due loans

   247     —       247          813     1,060  

Personnel provisions

   257     —       257          651     908  

Assets at market value

   1,549     (162 )   1,387          (614 )   773  

Staff severance indemnities

   719     —       719          (49 )   670  

Other adjustments

   3,302     915     4,217          4,118     8,335  
    

 

 

 
  

 

Total

   32,599     12,747     45,346     —      27,423     72,769  

Complementary account balance

   (6,363 )   513     (5,850 )   3,115    —       (2,735 )
    

 

 

 
  

 

Net assets

   26,236     13,260     39,496                70,034  
    

 

 

            

Deferred tax liabilities

                                   

Investments with repurchase agreements

   7,039     —       7,039          17,509     24,548  

Depreciation and price-level restatement of fixed assets

   1,711     1,958     3,669          362     4,031  

Transitory assets

   414     2,608     3,022          (1,676 )   1,346  

Other adjustments

   1,657     43     1,700          293     1,993  
    

 

 

 
  

 

Total

   10,821     4,609     15,430     —      16,488     31,918  

Complementary account balance

   (2,810 )   —       (2,810 )   878    —       (1,932 )
    

 

 

 
  

 

Net liabilities

   8,011     4,609     12,620                29,986  
    

 

 

            


(1)   For presentation purposes, deferred income tax balances as of December 31, 2001 are presented on a historical basis.

 

F-34


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

21. Income Taxes (continued)

 

“Income taxes” as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 are summarized as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Current income tax provision

   (4,346 )   (3,126 )   (8,290 )

Amortization of complementary accounts

   3,934     2,825     2,237  

Deferred tax effect for the year

   2,360     1,998     8,202  

Deferred taxes from previous years

   —       —       2,734  

Income tax (reassessment of previous year)

   (3,461 )   (241 )   (3,235 )

Non deductible expenses Art. 21

   (78 )   (70 )   (428 )

Tax benefit related to absorption of tax losses carry forwards

   —       —       (67 )
    

 

 

Income taxes (expense) benefit

   (1,591 )   1,386     1,153  
    

 

 

 

22. Commitments and contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank acts as defendant or co-defendant in various litigation matters. Although there can be no assurances, the Bank believes, based on information currently available, that the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings would not be likely to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

 

The Bank is party to transactions with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its business, which exposes the Bank to credit risk in addition to amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. These transactions include commitments to extend credit not otherwise accounted for as contingent loans, such as overdrafts and credit card lines of credit. Such commitments are agreements to lend to a customer at a future date, subject to compliance with the contractual terms. Since a substantial portion of these commitments is expected to expire without being drawn on, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent actual future cash requirements of the Bank. The amounts of these loan commitments are MCh$407,221 and MCh$428,589 and the amounts of subscribed leasing contracts are MCh$11,011 and MCh$41,433 as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

 

23. Fiduciary Activities

 

The following items are recorded in memorandum accounts by the Bank and represent fiduciary safekeeping and custody services:

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Securities held in safe custody

   1,853,135    3,716,925

Amounts to be collected on behalf of domestic third parties

   82,418    152,176

Amounts to be collected on behalf of foreign third parties

   230,888    343,889

Administration of assets

   39    37
    
  

Total fiduciary activities

   2,166,480    4,213,027
    
  

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

24. Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Concentrations of credit risk (whether on or off-balance sheet) arising from financial instruments exist in relation to certain groups of customers. A group concentration arises when a number of parties have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. The Bank does not have a significant exposure to any customer or counterparty.

 

Counterparty risk

 

The Bank maintains a series of deposits, investments purchased under agreements to resell, forward contract agreements and other financial instruments with institutions in the Chilean banking sector. The principal counterparties within the Chilean banking sector, excluding the Central Bank, and the Bank’s related exposure to credit risk, as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 are as follows:

 

Bank


  

Credit Risk

As of December 31,


     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$
           

Banco Santander-Chile(*)

   742    14,638

Banco del Estado de Chile

   712    13,064

BBVA Banco Bhif

   472    11,109

Corpbanca

   201    6,137

BankBoston N.A.

   1,384    4,568

JP Morgan Chase Bank

   336    3,753

ABN Amro Bank (Chile)

   —      3,165

Banco Security

   —      2,331

Banco del Desarrollo

   —      665

HSBC Bank USA

   —      640

Citibank N.A.

   730    480

Scotiabank Sud Americano

   190    313

Banco de A. Edwards(**)

   917    —  

Others

   304    13,296

(*)   Merged with Banco Santiago.
(**)   Absorbed by Banco de Chile.

 

The Bank maintains a policy of placing deposits with a number of different financial institutions and does not believe that any one of these banks represents an unacceptable credit risk. The Bank does not usually require collateral from these counterparties.

 

25. Sales and Purchases of Loans

 

From time to time, the Bank does sell and purchase loans based on specific requirements from customers. During the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, the Bank sold loans totaling MCh$23,066, MCh$1,303 and MCh$11,543, respectively, however, the Bank does not originate loans for future sale. The Bank did not retain servicing or any other interest in the loans sold or retains any risks in the event of non-collection by the purchaser. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Bank purchased loans amounting to MCh$17,725. During prior years the Bank did not purchased loans. Any gains or losses on such transactions are recognized in results of operations at the time of the transactions.

 

The aggregate gains on sales of loans were MCh$2,281, MCh$6 and MCh$85 for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price—level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

26. Maturity of Assets and Liabilities

 

The maturity dates of assets and liabilities are shown in the following table including accrued interest as of December 31, 2002.

 

     As of December 31, 2002

    
     Due within
1 year


   Due after 1
year
but within
3 years


   Due after 3
years
but within
6 years


   Due after 6
years


   Total
2002


   Total
2001


     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

ASSETS

                             

Loans(1)

   2,929,418    977,559    666,857    1,012,521    5,586,355    3,604,956

Securities(2)

   1,517,462    75,694    2,305    —      1,595,461    1,705,018
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   4,446,880    1,053,253    669,162    1,012,521    7,181,816    5,309,974
    
  
  
  
  
  

LIABILITIES

                             

Deposit and other obligations(3)

   3,075,559    154,829    93,312    —      3,323,700    2,639,793

Mortgage finance bonds

   124,031    218,344    313,129    428,537    1,084,041    887,126

Bonds

   17,602    25,027    46,498    193,120    282,247    183,891

Chilean Central Bank borrowings:

                             

Central Bank credit lines for renegotiations of loans

   3,763    —      —      —      3,763    2,468

Other Central Bank borrowings

   —      —      —      —      —      33,709

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   50,488    —      —      —      50,488    25,708

Foreign borrowings

   452,153    58,065    126    —      510,344    299,268

Other obligations

   42,481    15,763    13,218    5,308    76,770    46,735
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   3,766,077    472,028    466,283    626,965    5,331,353    4,118,698
    
  
  
  
  
  

(1)   Excludes contingent loans, overdue loans (1-89 days) and past due loans (90 days or more).
(2)   Excludes unrealized gains/losses on permanent financial investments included in equity in the credit amounts of MCh$5,812 and debit of MCh$3,439 for years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 respectively. In accordance with Superintendency of Banks trading investments are classified as due within 1 year.
(3)   Excludes demand deposit accounts, saving accounts, investments sold under agreements to repurchase and contingent liabilities.

 

27. Subsequent Events

 

In the opinion of Bank’s Management as of the date in which these consolidated financial statements were issued there are no significant subsequent events that affect or that could affect the consolidated financial statements of the Bank as of December 31, 2002.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

 

The following is a description of the significant differences between accounting principles as prescribed by the Superintendency of Banks and accounting principles generally accepted in Chile (collectively “Chilean GAAP”), and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

As explained in Notes 1 (a) and 15, effective January 1, 2002, the Bank merged with Banco de A. Edwards, an entity under the common control of Quiñenco S.A. (“Quiñenco”), a Chilean holding company. In accordance with merger accounting under Chilean GAAP, the financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and for each of the two years in the period then ended that have been presented are those of Banco de Chile, the acquiring bank, giving no retroactive effect to the merger. Following the accounting requirements under U.S. GAAP, information presented in this note has been restated to reflect the merger with Banco de A. Edwards as from March 27, 2001, the first date in which control of both of these banks was held by the common parent. U.S. GAAP information for the year ended December 31, 2000 and for the period between January 1, 2001 and March 27, 2001 reflects the financial information of Banco de A. Edwards, the bank previously controlled by Quiñenco. Paragraph (a) below provides a description of the merger with Banco de A. Edwards and provides combined financial statement information based on the respective consolidated financial statements of the individual consolidated banks prepared under Chilean GAAP.

 

References below to “SFAS” are to United States Statements of Financial Accounting Standards. Pursuant to Chilean GAAP, the Bank’s financial statements recognize certain effects of inflation. In addition, the Bank translates the accounting records of its branch in New York, USA and its agency in Miami, USA to Chilean pesos from US dollars in accordance with guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks, which are consistent with Technical Bulletin Nº64, “Accounting for investments Abroad”, issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants. In the opinion of the Bank, this foreign currency translation methodology forms part of the comprehensive basis of preparation of price-level adjusted financial statements required by Chilean GAAP. Inclusion of inflation and the effects of translation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements under the Chilean accounting standard in the financial statements is considered appropriate under the inflationary conditions that have historically affected the Chilean economy even though the cumulative inflation rate for the last three years does not exceed 100% and, accordingly have not been eliminated in the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP included under paragraph (s) below.

 

(a) Merger of entities under common control

 

Under Chilean GAAP, the merger between Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards was accounted for as a “pooling of interests” on a prospective basis. As such, the historical financial statements for periods prior to the merger are not restated and Banco de Chile is considered to be the continuing entity for legal and accounting purposes. Under U.S. GAAP, the merger of the two banks is accounted for as a merger of entities under common control. As LQ Inversiones Financieras, a holding company beneficially owned by Quiñenco has controlled both Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards since March 27, 2001, Banco de Chile was required to restate its previously issued U.S. GAAP historical financial statements to retroactively reflect the merged bank as if Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards (Hereafer referred to as the “Merged Bank”) had been combined throughout the periods during which common control existed. Therefore from the period from March 27, 2001 to January 1, 2002, U.S. GAAP reflects the merger as if it had already happened, incorporating two banks, while under Chilean GAAP for the same period only the historical financial information of Banco de Chile is presented in the income statement. Furthermore, under U.S. GAAP, for periods prior to March 27, 2001, the information presented in the financial statements is that of Banco de A. Edwards, as it had been under Quiñenco’s control since September 2, 1999.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(a) Merger of entities under common control (continued)

 

As discussed above, information presented under Chilean GAAP as of December 31, 2001 and for each of the two years in the period then ended includes only Banco de Chile, while under U.S. GAAP the Bank is required to present the historical financial statement information of Banco de A. Edwards for the year ended December 31, 2000 and for the period between January 1, 2001 and March 26, 2001. Furthermore for the period between March 27, 2001 and December 31, 2001 and as of December 31, 2001 under U.S. GAAP the banks are presented on a combined basis. The effect of combining the banks using the respective consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP, in order to present comparable initial shareholders’ equity balances and results from operations of the applicable entities prior to the inclusion of any adjustments to U.S. GAAP of the combined bank, is included in paragraph (t) below.

 

(b) Push Down Accounting

 

As described above, under Chilean GAAP, the merger of Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards is accounted for as a pooling of interests beginning January 1, 2002 with no retroactive restatement of historical financial statements or carrying values prior to the merger.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, when accounting for a merger of entities under common control, the book values of the merging entities that are held in the books of the common parent must be pushed down to the merged entity. This means that goodwill previously created in the books of Quiñenco, the transferring entity, at the time that it acquired each bank and also any fair value differences created from those purchases must be included in the U.S. GAAP accounting records of the Merged Bank. In practice this means that the goodwill and fair value adjustments created from Quiñenco’s purchases of Banco de A. Edwards during September and October, 1999 and from Quiñenco’s purchases of Banco de Chile made during 1999, 2000 and March 2001 are pushed down to the merged entity. As this treatment does not apply in Chilean GAAP, there is a significant difference in the asset and liability bases under each body of accounting principles.

 

Quiñenco acquired Banco de A. Edwards, through step acquisitions between September 2, 1999 and October 26, 1999. There were no additional share transactions between 1999 and the date of the merger. Similarly, Quiñenco acquired Banco de Chile through step acquisitions between October 1999 and March 27, 2001.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, acquisitions that are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting result in the identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired bank being adjusted to their fair values in the consolidated financial statements of the acquirer. Adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed to fair value and recording the fair values of unrecognized intangible assets are generically referred to as purchase accounting adjustments. As a result of its acquisitions of Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards, the Quiñenco recorded purchase accounting adjustments to reflect differences related to:

 

    the fair value of intangible assets, including brand names and long-term customer-relationship intangible (core deposit intangibles);

 

    the fair values of loans, excluding any adjustments in the acquiree’s historical allowance for loan losses or other contingent liabilities;

 

    the accounting for staff severance liabilities;

 

    the fair value of bank premises and equipment and other

 

F-39


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(b) Push Down Accounting (continued)

 

Such purchase accounting adjustments and goodwill and any equity method investments or equity participation in the results of operations of the acquired banks recorded by the common parent, must be recorded in the U.S. GAAP accounting records of the Merged Bank. The effects of accounting for the push down of these purchase accounting adjustments, goodwill and any equity participation in the results of operations of the acquired banks into the accounting records of the Merged Bank and their subsequent effects on net income is included in paragraphs (t) and (u), below.

 

(c) Acquisition of Banco de A. Edwards

 

The pooling of interests method under Chilean GAAP is based on summing the two banks together using their historical book values and eliminating any inter-bank balances. Under U.S. GAAP, to the extent that the banks were under common control, the assets and liabilities of Banco de A. Edwards were transferred into Banco de Chile using the U.S. GAAP carrying values of such assets and liabilities included in the records of the common parent. However, as Quiñenco only owned 51.18% of Banco de A. Edwards, to the extent that the minority interest of Banco de A. Edwards was acquired, through the issuance of Banco de Chile shares, Banco de Chile is considered to be the acquirer.

 

Therefore, Banco de Chile must calculate goodwill based on the difference between the purchase price (i.e. the market value of the shares issued by Banco de Chile) and the fair value of the proportion of assets and liabilities acquired at the date of the merger. As part of this process, under U.S. GAAP, Banco de Chile was also required to value the interest acquired of previously unrecorded intangible assets, such as the Banco de Edwards brand name and core deposit intangibles, and to include these assets in the financial records of the merged bank. Such assets are not required to be recorded under Chilean GAAP.

 

As a consequence of the merger between Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards, Banco de Chile issued 23,147,126,425 shares in exchange for all the outstanding common shares of Banco de A. Edwards using an exchange ratio of 3.135826295 Banco de Chile shares for each Banco de A. Edwards share. Under U.S. GAAP Banco de Chile is considered to have acquired 48.82% of the outstanding shares in Banco de A. Edwards, which correspond to those shares that Quiñenco did not own as of that date. The acquisition of these shares has been accounted for using purchase accounting as described in the preceding paragraph. The consideration paid has been determined using an average of the market value of the publicly traded Banco de Chile shares, which at January 1, 2002 was Ch$ 25.11017 per share, and merger expenses as described in paragraph (s) below.

 

In connection with the determination and accounting for such assets and liabilities under U.S. GAAP, Banco de Chile is required to record the fair value of the proportion of assets and liabilities acquired at the date of the merger. As part of this process, under U.S. GAAP, Banco de Chile was also required to value the interest acquired of previously unrecorded intangible assets, such as the Banco de Edwards brand name, and to include these assets in the financial records of the merged bank. Such assets were not required to be recorded under Chilean GAAP.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(c) Acquisition of Banco de A. Edwards (continued)

 

Under U.S. GAAP, purchase allocation of the 48.82% participation acquired from shareholders other than Quiñenco and its subsidiaries as of January 1, 2002 was as follows:

 

     MCh$  

Net book value of Banco de A. Edwards

   120,367  

Incremental fair value of identified intangible assets(1)(2)

   31,147  

Fair value decrement of identified net assets acquired

   (44,914 )
    

Fair value of Banco de A. Edwards

   106,600  
    

Purchase price

      

Market value of Banco de Chile shares issued

   292,269  

Direct costs of acquisition

   1,175  
    

Goodwill

   186,844  
    


(1)   Core deposit intangibles resulting from the acquisition amounted to MCh$27,737 and are being amortized over the estimated run-off period by product of the acquired customer base at the date of purchase.
(2)   Brand name intangibles resulting from the acquisition amounted to MCh$3,410 and are being amortized over 10 years.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

 

    

As of

January 1,

2002


     MCh$

Cash and due from banks

   122,655

Financial investments

   181,224

Loans, net

   1,050,999

Intangibles

   31,147

Other

   84,182
    

Total assets acquired

   1,470,207
    

Deposits

   833,606

Other interest bearing liabilities

   457,347

Other liabilities

   72,654
    

Total liabilities assumed

   1,363,607
    

Net assets acquired

   106,600
    

 

Of the MCh$ 31,147 of acquired intangible assets, MCh$27,737 was assigned to core deposits that is subject to amortization (using an estimated rate that the bank’s customers are expected to leave the bank in future years, based on a historical analyses performed by the Bank), and MCh$3,410 has been assigned to a registered trademark that is being amortized over a 10 year useful life.

 

The Bank does not amortize goodwill related to the acquisition of Banco de A. Edwards, following the provisions of SFAS No. 142, as described in paragraph (d) below.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(d) Amortization of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The Bank adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, (“SFAS 142”) as of January 1, 2002. SFAS 142 applies to all goodwill and identified intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Under the new standard, beginning January 1, 2002, all goodwill, including that acquired before initial application of the standard, and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but must be tested for impairment at least annually. Under the transitional provisions of SFAS 142 goodwill generated in purchase transactions subsequent to June 30, 2001 were not amortized during the year ended December 31, 2001

 

The Bank has performed the impairment test of goodwill required by the standard, which did not result in any impairment. Under Chilean GAAP, the Bank does not present any goodwill as of December 31, 2002. Under U.S. GAAP, the carrying value of goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, related to the 1999 acquisitions of Leasing Andino, Banco de A. Edwards and the push-down of goodwill from Quiñenco, described in paragraphs (q), (c) and (b) to this note, respectively, were MCh$ 1,853, MCh$186,844 and MCh$ 357,925, respectively.

 

The table below presents the allocation of the total carrying value of goodwill by segments of the Bank:

 

Business Segments


   MCh$

Large Corporate

   205,047

Middle Market

   116,802

Retail Banking

   152,892

International Banking

   38,625

Treasury

   10,520

Subsidiaries

   22,736
    

Total goodwill

   546,622
    

 

The table below presents the reported net income and adjusted earnings per share amounts that would have been for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 if amortization expense recognized in those periods related to goodwill is excluded:

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

    2001

     MCh$     MCh$

Reported net (loss) income

   (94 )   49,764

Add back: Goodwill amortization

   5,484     12,333
    

 

Adjusted net (loss) income

   5,390     62,097
    

 

Earnings per share, adjusted

   0.23     1.08
    

 

 

(e) Loan Origination Commissions and Fees

 

Under Chilean GAAP, as from January 1, 2000, Banco de A. Edwards began recognizing loan origination and service fees and costs over the term of loans to which they relate, and the period that the services are performed. Banco de Chile began applying this accounting treatment during 2001 for loan origination and service fees and certain costs, and from January 1, 2002 for those related costs previously not considered. Prior to this accounting change, loan origination and service fees were recognized when collected and related direct costs when incurred.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(e) Loan Origination Commissions and Fees (continued)

 

Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 91, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Origination of Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases”, loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs should be recognized over the term of the related loan as an adjustment to yield. As of December 31, 2002, the accounting treatment applied under Chilean GAAP is considered similar to U.S. GAAP.

 

The effect of accounting for net loan origination fees in accordance with U.S. GAAP is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity in paragraph (t) below.

 

(f) Deferred Income taxes

 

Under Chilean GAAP, prior to 1999, the Merged Bank did not record the effects of deferred income taxes. Effective January 1, 1999, and in accordance with the new accounting standard under Chilean GAAP, the Merged Bank was required to record the effects of deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the liability method, with deferred tax assets and liabilities established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Merged Bank’s assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized. As a transitional provision to reduce the impact of adoption of this standard, the banks were permitted to record a contra (“complementary”) asset or liability as of the date of implementation of the new accounting standard, January 1, 1999, related to the effects of deferred income taxes from prior years.

 

These complementary assets and liabilities are to be amortized over the estimated period of reversal of the temporary differences that generate the future income tax asset or liability.

 

Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, income taxes are recognized using the liability method in a manner similar to Chilean GAAP. The effects of recording deferred income taxes and the elimination of the complementary assets and liabilities and their respective amortization are included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity in paragraph (t) below.

 

Additional disclosures required under SFAS No. 109 are further described in paragraph (w) below.

 

(g) Investments in other companies

 

As shown in Note 9, certain long-term investments of less than 20% of the outstanding shares in other companies have been recorded using the equity method of accounting. Under U.S. GAAP these investments would generally be accounted for at cost less any non-temporary impairment in value. The effect of recording these assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity in paragraph (t) and (u) below. For 2001, in those cases where each individual bank held less than 20% of an investment but on a combined basis the Merged Bank held more than 20%, such investments have been restated and retroactively accounted for under the equity method.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(h) Repurchase agreements

 

The Bank enters into repurchase agreements as a source of finance. In this regard, under Chilean GAAP the Bank’s investments that have been sold subject to repurchase agreements are reclassified from their investment category to investment collateral under agreements to repurchase. Under U.S. GAAP, no such reclassification is made since, in substance, the investment securities serve only as collateral on the borrowing. For purposes of the Article 9 consolidated balance sheets included in paragraph (v) below, investments that collateralize such borrowings are shown as trading investments.

 

(i) Interest income recognition on non-accrual loans

 

The Bank suspends the accrual of interest on loans when it is determined to be a loss or when it becomes past due. Previously accrued but uncollected interest is not reversed at the time the loan ceases to accrue interest.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, recognition of interest on loans is generally discontinued when, in the opinion of management, there is an assessment that the borrower will likely be unable to meet all contractual payments as they become due. As a general practice, this occurs when loans are 90 days or more overdue. Any accrued but uncollected interest is reversed against interest income at that time.

 

In addition, under Chilean GAAP, any payment received on past due loans is treated as income to the extent that accrued interest is due, but has not been recorded because the status of the loan, after reducing any recorded accrued interest receivable. Any remaining amount is then applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance. Under U.S. GAAP, any payment received on loans when the collectibility of the principal is in doubt is treated as a reduction of the outstanding principal balance of the loan until such doubt is removed. The effect of the difference in interest recognition on non-accrual loans is not material to the Bank’s financial position and results of its operations.

 

(j) Contingent loans

 

Under Chilean GAAP the Bank recognizes rights and obligations with respect to contingent loans as contingent assets and liabilities. Under U.S. GAAP, such contingent amounts are not recognized on the balance sheet. If U.S. GAAP had been followed, the total assets and liabilities of the Merged Bank would have been lower by MCh$382,421 and MCh$381,767 as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively. This reclassification is included in the Article 9 consolidated financial statements in paragraph (v) below.

 

(k) Allowance for loan losses

 

The determination of the allowance for loan losses and disclosure requirements under U.S. GAAP differs from that under Chilean GAAP in the following respects:

 

1) Allowance for loan losses

 

Under Chilean GAAP, the allowance for loan losses is calculated according to specific guidelines set out by the rules of the Superintendency of Banks, as described in Note 1 (j).

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(k) Allowance for loan losses (continued)

 

Under U.S. GAAP allowances for loan losses should be in amounts adequate to cover inherent losses in the loan portfolio at the respective balance sheet dates. The Bank has estimated its required reserve under U.S. GAAP in the following manner:

 

  Allowances for commercial loans and leasing operations classified in loan risk category A or B, which were not considered impaired under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” (“SFAS No. 114”), were analyzed and adjusted, if necessary, to reflect the estimated losses not identified based on individual credit analysis. The estimations were performed using historical loan data, in order to estimate the inherent losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio, using patterns and trends based upon historical changes in loan classifications (“migration analysis”).

 

  In addition, specific allowances were determined for loans on the following basis:

 

  i)   Commercial loans and leasing operations greater than MCh$84, which were considered impaired in accordance with the criteria established by SFAS No. 114, were valued at the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective contractual interest rate, or at market rates in the case of those loans that were considered to be collateral dependent.

 

  ii)   Allowances for commercial loans and leasing operations which were under MCh$84 (i.e. those loans which were not considered in the above SFAS No. 114 analysis), were calculated using the weighted average loan provision, by loan classification, as determined in i).

 

  iii)   Allowance for loan losses for mortgage and consumer loans were determined based on historical loan charge-offs, after considering the recoverability of the underlying collateral.

 

Based on the preceding estimation process the Bank computed its allowance for loan losses under U.S. GAAP, and compared this estimate with the reported allowance for the combined banks determined in accordance with the guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks. The voluntary loan loss allowance for the combined banks, permitted under Chilean GAAP, was then deducted from the reserve requirements under U.S. GAAP to arrive at a cumulative U.S. GAAP adjustment, as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

 
     2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$  

U.S. GAAP loan loss reserve

   193,437     194,545  

Less: Chilean GAAP loan loss allowance as required by the Superintendency of Banks

   (193,834 )   (195,437 )

Chilean GAAP voluntary loan loss allowance

   (38,913 )   (20,557 )
    

 

U.S. GAAP adjustment

   (39,310 )   (21,449 )
    

 

 

The effects of adopting SFAS No. 114 are included in the reconciliation included in paragraph (s) below.

 

F-45


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price—level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(k) Allowance for loan losses (continued)

 

2) Recognition of income

 

As of December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 the recorded investment in loans for which impairment had been recognized in accordance with SFAS No.114 totaled MCh$162,694, MCh$399,033 and MCh$412,027, respectively, with a corresponding valuation allowance of MCh$49,679, MCh$136,690 and MCh$159,995, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 the average recorded investment in impaired loans was MCh$158,255, MCh$356,658 and MCh$393,861 respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Bank recognized interest on impaired loans of MCh$59,803, comparative information for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 is not available. The Bank recognizes interest on impaired loans on an accrual basis, except for past due loans for which the Bank recognizes interest on a cash basis, as described in paragraph (i) above. As of December 31, 2001 and 2002, the Bank had made provisions against all loans which it considered to be impaired.

 

3) Loan loss recoveries

 

Under U.S. GAAP recoveries of loans previously charged-off are added to the allowance when received; under Chilean GAAP such recoveries are recognized as other income.

 

The following presents an analysis under U.S. GAAP of the changes in the allowance for loan losses during the periods presented. As described above under U.S. GAAP all information presented as of and for the periods prior to March 27, 2001 has been recast to that of Banco de A. Edwards as a result of the merger of entities under common control.

 

     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Allowance for loan losses in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as of January 1,

   80,647     84,734     193,437  

Price-level restatement(1)

   (3,605 )   (5,137 )   (6,435 )

Incorporation of Banco de Chile, as of March 27, 2001.

   —       99,225     —    

Charge-offs

   (32,206 )   (52,347 )   (110,962 )

Loan loss recoveries

   3,802     13,601     11,914  

Allowances for loan losses established

   50,405     61,675     131,074  

Allowances for loan losses released

   (14,309 )   (8,314 )   (24,483 )
    

 

 

Balances as of December 31,

   84,734     193,437     194,545  
    

 

 


(1)   Reflects the effect of inflation and exchange rate changes of branches abroad on the allowance for loan losses under Chilean GAAP at the beginning of each period, adjusted to constant pesos of December 31, 2002.

 

4) Charge-offs

 

As discussed in note 1 (j) of these financial statements, under Chilean GAAP the Bank charges-off loans when collection efforts have been exhausted. Under the rules and regulations established by the Superintendency of Banks, charge-offs must be made within the following maximum prescribed limits:

 

- 24 months after a loan is past due (3 months after past due for consumer loans) for loans without collateral;

 

- 36 months after a loan is past due for loans with collateral.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, loans should be written-off in the period that they are deemed uncollectible. The Bank believes that the charge-off policies it applies in accordance with Chilean GAAP are substantially the same as those required under U.S. GAAP, and therefore that differences are not significant to the presentation of its financial statements.

 

F-46


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(l) Mortgage Finance Bonds Issued by the Bank

 

Until October 31, 2002, other financial investments include mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank and held for future sale. Effective October 31, 2002 the Bank modified its accounting treatment of financial investments in mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank in accordance with the instructions of the Superintendency of Banks, reducing from assets the amount recorded for mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank, including a market value adjustment, and from liabilities, the respective mortgage finance bond obligation.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, this accounting treatment would have been always applied, therefore, other financial investments and the liability for mortgage finance bonds as of December 31, 2001 would have been lower by MCh$157,158. This reclassification is included in the Article 9 consolidated financial statements.

 

In addition, as under U.S. GAAP mortgage finance bonds are offset against the corresponding liability for periods before 2002, the market value adjustment applied under Chilean GAAP before the accounting change would not have been made under U.S. GAAP. The effects of this difference between Chilean and U.S. GAAP have been included in the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP in paragraph (t) below.

 

(m) Investment securities

 

Under Chilean GAAP the Bank classifies certain investments as permanent. These investments are stated at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses included in a separate component of shareholders’ equity and with realized gains and losses included in other operating results.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (“SFAS No. 115”), requires that debt and equity securities be classified in accordance with the Bank’s intent and ability to hold the security, as follows:

 

  Debt securities that the Bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are reported at amortized cost.

 

  Debt and equity securities that are bought and held by the Bank, principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term, are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.

 

  Debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities are classified as available-for-sale securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

 

Based upon these criteria, the Bank has determined that under U.S. GAAP, its investments should be classified as “trading”, “available-for-sale” and “held-to-maturity”. Consequently, investments classified as permanent are considered to be “available-for-sale” and all other investments are considered to be “trading”, with the exception of certain Central Bank securities and other investments, maintained by the Bank’s branches in the United States of America, included in both categories, which are classified as “held-to-maturity”.

 

Securities maintained by the Bank’s branches abroad and Central Bank securities classified as “held-to-maturity” are stated at fair market value. Under U.S. GAAP, held-to-maturity investments are stated at amortized cost. The effect of eliminating the market value adjustment for these investments is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity in paragraph (t) below.

 

Investment securities maintained by the Bank’s subsidiaries are carried at the lower of price-level restated cost or market value and are classified as “trading” for U.S. GAAP purposes. The effect of the difference in the valuation criteria for these investments is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholder’s equity in paragraph (t) below.

 

F-47


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(m) Investment securities (continued)

 

(1) Under Chilean GAAP, the unrealized holdings gains (losses) related to investments classified as permanent have been included in Shareholders’ equity, which does not differ from the treatment of “available-for-sale” investments under U.S. GAAP, except for the elimination of mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank for 2000 and 2001, as discussed in paragraph (l) above.

 

The following are required disclosures for investments classified as available-for-sale in accordance with SFAS Nº115 and the presentation requirements of Article 9 (See note 28(v)), and have been prepared using amounts determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP:

 

Realized gains and losses are determined using the proceeds from sales less the cost of the investment identified to be sold. Gross gains and losses realized on the sale of available-for-sale securities for the year ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 are as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Proceeds on sale of investments resulting in gains

   30,726    33,673    68,865

Realized gains

   531    1,513    1,489

Proceeds on sale of investments resulting in losses

   23,711    11,935    56,128

Realized losses

   2    202    2,000

 

The carrying value and market value of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 are as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2001

   2002

Available-for-sale Instruments:

 

   Carrying
Value(1)


  

Gross
Unrealized

Gains


  

Gross
Unrealized

(Losses)


    Estimated
Fair
Value


   Carrying
Value(1)


  

Gross

Unrealized

Gains


  

Gross

Unrealized

(Losses)


    

Estimated
Fair

Value


     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$      MCh$

Foreign private sector debt securities

   82,131    1,334    (6,434 )   77,031    39,715    3,255    (628 )    42,342

Foreign financial institutions debt securities

   4,225    —      (2,602 )   1,623    1,286    808    —        2,094

Latin American Brady Bonds

   22,097    1,748    —       23,845    —      —      —        —  

Government securities

   19,454    108    (76 )   19,486    —      —      —        —  

Chilean Central Bank securities

   12,352    1    —       12,353    —      —      —        —  

Credit linked investments

   —      —      —       —      68,929    —      —        68,929

Other marketable securities

   5,189    —      (12 )   5,177    —      —      —        —  

Chilean financial institutions debt securities

   256    —      —       256    —      —      —        —  
    
  
  

 
  
  
  

  

Total

   145,704    3,191    (9,124 )   139,771    109,930    4,063    (628 )    113,365
    
  
  

 
  
  
  

  

(1)   For the purpose of this table, carrying values are based upon the historical cost of each investment including applicable adjustments for price-level restatement.

 

F-48


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(m) Investment securities (continued)

 

The contractual maturities of securities, classified by the Bank as available-for-sale, are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

Available-for-sale Instruments:

 

  

Within

one year


  

After

one year

but within

five years


  

After

five years

but within
10 years


   Total

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Foreign private sector debt securities

   21,062    18,653    —      39,715

Foreign financial institutions debt securities

   1,286    —      —      1,286

Credit linked investments

   11,449    57,480    —      68,929
    
  
  
  

Amortized cost

   33,797    76,133    —      109,930
    
  
  
  

Unrealized gains/(losses)

   1,570    1,865    —      3,435
    
  
  
  

Estimated fair value

   35,367    77,998    —      113,365
    
  
  
  

 

(2) The following disclosures, in addition to those required under Chilean GAAP, are required disclosures for investments classified as held-to-maturity in accordance with SFAS No. 115:

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2001

   2002

Held-to-maturity Instruments:

 

  

Amortized

Cost


  

Unrealized
Gains

(Losses)


   

Estimated

Fair Value


  

Amortized

Cost


   Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)


  

Estimated

Fair Value


     MCh$    MCh$     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Foreign private sector debt securities

   8,107    —       8,107    —      —      —  

Foreign financial institutions debt securities

   1,842    38     1,880    —      —      —  

U.S. Government debt securities

   37,026    72     37,098    39,060    5    39,065

Chilean Central Bank securities

   408,917    (7,407 )   401,510    274,462    5    274,467

Government securities

   —      —       —      295    —      295
    
  

 
  
  
  

Total

   455,892    (7,297 )   448,595    313,817    10    313,827
    
  

 
  
  
  

 

The contractual maturities of securities classified by the Bank as held-to-maturity are as follows:

 

     As of December 31, 2002

Held-to-maturity Instruments:

 

  

Within

one year


  

After

one year
but within

five years


  

After

five years


   Total

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

U.S. Government debt securities

   39,060    —      —      39,060

Chilean Central Bank securities

   271,754    2,708    —      274,462

Government securities

   99    196    —      295
    
  
  
  

Total carrying value

   310,913    2,904    —      313,817
    
  
  
  

Unrealized gains/(losses)

   10    —      —      10
    
  
  
  

Estimated fair value

   310,923    2,904    —      313,827
    
  
  
  

 

(3) Under U.S. GAAP, the Bank is required to disclose the amounts of unrealized holding gains and losses included in income on securities classified as trading. For the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, the Bank recognized in income unrealized holding gains of MCh$243, MCh$3,059 and MCh$10,750 respectively, on these securities.

 

F-49


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(m) Investment securities (continued)

 

During the third quarter of 2002, the Bank determined that its Argentine available-for-sale securities had declines in value that were other than temporary recording a charge to net income of MCh$13,642 to record these securities at their market values at that date. Since that date, the market prices of some securities have improved; the resulting unrealized gains have been recorded in other comprehensive income.

 

(n) Derivatives

 

The Bank enters into derivative transactions for its own account and to meet customers’ risk management needs. These transactions are mainly foreign exchange forward contracts, which are made in the most cases in US dollars against the Chilean peso or the UF and, from time to time, in other currencies but only when the Bank acts as an intermediary, in accordance with the requirements of the Central Bank that requires that foreign exchange forward contracts be made only in US dollars and other major foreign currencies. Other derivative transactions include primarily interest rate swaps (paid fixed-received floating) and rate lock. These are used for hedging purposes in order to manage, among other risks, U.S. interest rate risk related to the Yankee bonds of Chilean companies bought by the Bank.

 

In order to manage any credit risk associated with its derivative products, the Bank grants lines of credit to transaction counterparties, in accordance with its credit policies, for each derivative transaction. The counterparty risk exposure is a function of the type of derivative, the term to maturity of the transaction and the volatility of the risk factors that affect the derivative’s market value, which are managed by the Bank on an on-going basis as market conditions warrant.

 

As explained in Note 1 (e), under Chilean GAAP the Bank accounts for forward contracts between foreign currencies and U.S. dollars at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses on these instruments recognized in other income. Forward contracts between the U.S. dollar and the Chilean peso or the U.F. are valued at the closing spot exchange rate of each balance sheet date, with the initial discount or premium being amortized over the life of the contract in accordance with Chilean hedge accounting criteria. The losses recognized in income associated with these contracts for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 were MCh$10,439, MCh$40,842 and MCh$24,329, respectively. The Bank’s interest rate swap agreements are treated as off-balance-sheet financial instruments and the net interest effect, which corresponds to the difference between interest income and interest expense arising from such agreements, is recorded in net income in the period that such differences originate, except for interest rate and cross currency swaps designated as a hedge of the foreign investment portfolio, which are recorded at their estimated fair market values.

 

Beginning January 1, 2001, the Bank adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No.138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (collectively “SFAS 133”), which established comprehensive accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. The Standard required that all derivative instruments be recorded in the balance sheet at fair value. However, the accounting for changes in fair value of the derivative instrument depends on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge. The standards also require formal documentation procedures for hedging relationships and effectiveness testing when hedge accounting is to be applied. If the derivative instrument does not qualify as a hedge, changes in fair value are reported in earnings when they occur. If the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge, the accounting treatment varies based on the type of risk being hedged.

 

F-50


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(n) Derivatives (continued)

 

Under U.S. GAAP, the Bank records its entire portfolio of swap agreements at their estimated fair value and forward contracts between the U.S. dollar and the Chilean peso or UF at the fair value based on the forward exchange rate. Under the previous accounting standard, forward contracts were also recorded at fair value as they were considered operational in nature, and did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.

 

While the Bank enters into derivatives for the purpose of mitigating its global interest and foreign currency risks, these operations do not meet the strict documentation requirements to qualify for hedge accounting under U.S. GAAP. Therefore changes in the respective fair values of all derivative instruments are reported in earnings when they occur.

 

Current Chilean accounting rules do not consider the existence of derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and therefore they are not reflected in the financial statements. For U.S. GAAP purposes, certain implicit or explicit terms included in host contracts that affect some or all of the cash flows or the value of other exchanges required by the contract in a manner similar to a derivative instrument, must be separated from the host contract and accounted for at fair value. The Bank separately measures embedded derivatives as freestanding derivative instruments at their estimated fair values recognizing changes in earnings when they occur. Currently the only host contracts and instruments that the Bank has, which have implicit or explicit terms that must be separately accounted for at fair value, are service type contracts related to computer services agreements and credit linked instruments.

 

The effect of adopting the provisions of SFAS 133 as of January 1, 2001, resulted in a cumulative effect on net income of MCh$2, which is presented net of deferred taxes of MCh$0.3 under the caption “Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles”. The effects of the differences in accounting for derivative instruments between Chilean and U.S. GAAP on the consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity of the Bank are included in paragraph (t) below.

 

(o) Mandatory dividend

 

As required by the Chilean General Banking Law, unless otherwise decided by a two-thirds vote of its issued and subscribed shares, the Bank must distribute a cash dividend in an amount equal to at least 30% of its net income for each year as determined in accordance with Chilean GAAP, unless and except to the extent the Bank has unabsorbed prior year losses.

 

Since the payment of these dividends is a legal requirement in Chile, an accrual for U.S. GAAP purposes is made to recognize the corresponding decrease in equity at each balance sheet date. The Bank’s liabilities would have been greater by MCh$29,995 and MCh$15,791 as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively, under U.S. GAAP. The effects of these adjustments on the shareholders’ equity of the Bank are included in paragraph (t) below.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(p) Assets received in lieu of payment

 

Under Chilean GAAP, assets received in lieu of payment are carried at cost and have been restated for price-level changes, less a global valuation allowance if the total of the market value of those assets is lower than the carrying amount. Market value is determined based on appraiser valuations, as required by the Superintendency of Banks. Beginning January 1, 2001, if the asset is not sold within one year, then recorded asset amounts must be written-off on at least a straight-line basis over the following 18-month period.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, assets received in lieu of payment are initially recorded at fair value less any estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure, on an individual asset basis. The effect of recording these assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity in paragraph (t) below.

 

(q) Acquisition of Leasing Andino

 

On April 23, 1999, the Bank and its subsidiary Banchile Asesorías Financieras S.A. acquired the remaining 35% of shares of Leasing Andino that it did not already own from Orix Corporation for MCh$13,776. Under Chilean GAAP, the Bank recorded goodwill in the amount of MCh$1,211 based on the differences between the investment purchase price and the amount of the underlying equity in the carrying value of the investee’s net assets. As permitted by Chilean GAAP, goodwill can be amortized on an accelerated basis to the extent of the Bank’s net income. Accordingly the Bank completely amortized the goodwill recorded as a result of this transaction during the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, the difference between the cost of an investment and the amount of underlying equity in net assets is allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities based on their respective fair values at the time of the acquisition. Any excess of the cost of the investment over such fair value is treated as goodwill. Under U.S. GAAP, prior to 2002, the Bank amortized the resulting goodwill over an estimated useful life of 10 years on a straight-line basis. Beginning January 1, 2002, the Bank ceases to amortize goodwill related to the acquisition of Leasing Andino, following the provisions of SFAS No. 142, as described in paragraph (d) above.

 

The effect of the differences in purchase accounting and the amortization of goodwill is included in the reconciliation of consolidated net income and shareholders’ equity in paragraph (s) below.

 

(r) Staff severance indemnities

 

The provision for staff severance indemnities, included in the account “Other Liabilities” (see Note 10), relates a benefit payable to a defined number of employees, upon their retirement from the Bank, conditional upon having completed 30 years of continuous service. The Bank makes indemnity payments upon termination of the applicable employees, and has not set aside assets to fund its benefit obligation. Under Chilean GAAP, the corresponding liability is calculated by discounting the benefit accrued using real interest rates, as described in Note 1 (m), considering current salary levels of all employees eligible under the plan and the estimated average remaining service period. Under U.S. GAAP the corresponding liability is recorded using the shutdown method, consistent with the accounting criteria applied by its parent company, Quiñenco.

 

The effects of accounting for termination indemnity benefits under U.S. GAAP have been presented in paragraph (t), below.

 

F-52


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(s) Merger expenses

 

Under Chilean GAAP, the Bank recorded certain expenses related to the merger with Banco de A. Edwards representing primarily severance costs and professional expenses. Under U.S. GAAP, such expenses would be deferred until the effective date of the merger. The effect of this difference has been presented in paragraph (t), below.

 

(t) Summary of Income Statement and Shareholders’ Equity differences

 

The following is a reconciliation of consolidated net income under Chilean GAAP to the corresponding U.S. GAAP amounts:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     ThUS$  
    

Restated

(See Note 28(a))

   

Restated

(See Note 28(a))

             

Net income in accordance with Chilean GAAP

   87,034     89,577     52,635     73,886  

U.S. GAAP adjustments:

                        

Merger of entities under common control (Note 28 (a))

   (83,662 )   (13,948 )   —       —    

Push Down accounting (Note 28(b))

                        

Goodwill amortization (Note 28 (d))

   (5,484 )   (12,143 )   —       —    

Fair value of intangibles

   (3,224 )   (13,465 )   (14,637 )   (20,547 )

Fair value of loans

   3,131     883     (1,299 )   (1,823 )

Fair value of staff severance indemnities

   —       426     4,259     5,979  

Fair value of premises

   —       (166 )   (221 )   (309 )

Fair value of other

   (1,502 )   (194 )   (57 )   (80 )

Equity participation in Banco de Chile

   5,705     1,410     —       —    

Acquisition of Banco Edwards (Note 28(c))

                        

Fair value of intangibles

   —       —       (5,954 )   (8,358 )

Fair value of loans

   —       —       11,327     15,901  

Fair value of other interest bearing liabilities

   —       —       12,382     17,381  

Fair value of deposits

   —       —       (27,561 )   (38,689 )

Fair value of premises

   —       —       (9 )   (13 )

Fair value of other

   —       —       236     331  

Loan origination commissions and fees (Note 28 (e))

   31     (656 )   (1,016 )   (1,426 )

Investments in other companies (Note 28 (g))

   91     27     (318 )   (446 )

Deferred income taxes (Note 28 (f))

   (1,172 )   (2,477 )   (2,329 )   (3,269 )

Allowance for loan losses (Note 28 (k))

   (2,378 )   12,924     (17,861 )   (25,072 )

Mortgage finance bonds (Note 28 (l))

   —       43     (1,771 )   (2,486 )

Derivatives (Note 28 (n))

   (1,344 )   (9,795 )   8,564     12,022  

Held-to-Maturity investments (Note 28 (m))

   274     (5,137 )   (7,302 )   (10,250 )

Assets received in lieu of payment (Note 28 (p))

   2,133     510     (1,721 )   (2,416 )

Goodwill—Leasing Andino Acquisition (Note 28 (q))

   —       (190 )   —       —    

Staff severance indemnities (Note 28 (r))

   —       831     4,452     6,249  

Merger expenses (Note 28 (s))

   —       2,408     (1,233 )   (1,731 )

Deferred tax effect of the above U.S. GAAP adjustments (Note 28 (f))

   273     (1,106 )   6,388     8,968  
    

 

 

 

Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP before cumulative effect of change in accounting principles

   (94 )   49,762     16,954     23,802  
    

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles, net of taxes

   —       2     —       —    
    

 

 

 

Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   (94 )   49,764     16,954     23,802  
    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 28(x))

   126     28     9,341     13,112  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

   126     (1,695 )   7,616     10,691  

Adjustment for translation differences

   —       1,723     1,725     2,421  
    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   32     49,792     26,295     36,914  
    

 

 

 

 

F-53


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(t) Summary of Income Statement and Shareholders’ Equity differences (continued)

 

The following is a reconciliation of consolidated shareholders’ equity differences under Chilean GAAP to the corresponding amounts under U.S. GAAP:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2001

    2002

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     ThUS$  
    

Restated

(See Note 28(a))

             

Shareholders’ Equity in accordance with Chilean GAAP

   410,217     618,230     867,837  

U.S. GAAP adjustments:

                  

Merger of entities under common control (Note 28 (a))

   246,552     —       —    

Push Down accounting (Note 28(b))

                  

Goodwill

   376,513     376,513     528,528  

Goodwill accumulated amortization (Note 28(d))

   (18,588 )   (18,588 )   (26,093 )

Fair value of intangibles

   158,013     143,377     201,265  

Fair value of loans

   5,466     4,167     5,849  

Fair value of staff severance indemnities

   (4,259 )   —       —    

Fair value of premises

   10,799     10,577     14,847  

Fair value of other

   232     175     246  

Acquisition of Banco Edwards (Note 28 (c))

                  

Goodwill

   —       186,844     262,281  

Fair value of intangibles

   —       25,193     35,364  

Fair value of loans

   —       (6,178 )   (8,672 )

Fair value of other interest bearing liabilities

   —       (41,900 )   (58,817 )

Fair value of deposits

   —       259     363  

Fair value of premises

   —       76     107  

Fair value of other

   —       (798 )   (1,120 )

Loan origination commissions and fees (Note 28 (e))

   1,478     462     649  

Investments in other companies (Note 28 (g))

   719     401     563  

Deferred income taxes (Note 28 (f))

   3,132     803     1,127  

Allowance for loan losses (Note 28 (k))

   39,310     21,449     30,109  

Mortgage finance bonds (Note 28 (l))

   (127 )   (1,898 )   (2,664 )

Derivatives (Note 28 (n))

   (4,929 )   3,635     5,103  

Held-to-Maturity investments (Note 28 (m))

   7,297     (10 )   (14 )

Assets received in lieu of payment (Note 28 (p))

   2,330     609     853  

Minimum Dividend (Note 28 (o))

   (29,995 )   (15,791 )   (22,167 )

Goodwill—Leasing Andino Acquisition (Note 28 (q))

   1,853     1,853     2,601  

Staff severance indemnities (Note 28 (r))

   (8,299 )   (3,847 )   (5,400 )

Merge expenses (Note 28(s))

   2,408     —       —    

Deferred tax effect of the above U.S. GAAP adjustments (Note 28 (f))

   (34,480 )   (25,653 )   (36,008 )
    

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   1,165,642     1,279,960     1,796,737  
    

 

 

 

F-54


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(t) Summary of Income Statement and Shareholders’ Equity differences (continued)

 

The following summarizes the changes in shareholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP during the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2001

    2002

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     ThUS$  

Balance as of January 1

   411,477     1,165,642     1,636,264  

Incorporation of Banco de Chile

   378,159     —       —    

Capital increase due to merger with Banco de A. Edwards

   —       174,338     244,726  

Dividends paid

   (1,729 )   (100,411 )   (140,953 )

Mandatory dividends, previous date

   8,315     29,995     42,105  

Mandatory dividends, closing date

   (29,995 )   (15,791 )   (22,167 )

Unrealized gains on Available-for-sale investments, net of taxes

   (1,695 )   7,616     10,691  

Absorption of subsidiaries

   —       (108 )   (152 )

Cumulative translation adjustment

   1,723     1,725     2,421  

Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   49,764     16,954     23,802  

Push down of carrying values from common parent

   349,623     —       —    
    

 

 

Balance as of December 31

   1,165,642     1,279,960     1,796,737  
    

 

 

 

(u) Net income per share

 

The following disclosure of net income per share information is not generally required for presentation in the financial statements under Chilean GAAP but is required under U.S. GAAP. Earnings per share is determined by dividing combined net income by the weighted average number of total shares outstanding.

 

     Years Ended December 31,

     2000

    2001

   2002

     Ch$     Ch$    Ch$

Chilean GAAP(1)

               

Earnings per share

   1.94     1.99    0.77

Weighted average number of total shares outstanding (in millions)

   44,932.7     44,932.7    68,079.8

U.S. GAAP(1)

               

Earnings per share before Cumulative effect of accounting change

   (0.00 )   0.86    0.25

Cumulative effect of accounting change per share

   —       —      —  
    

 
  

Earnings per share

   (0.00 )   0.86    0.25
    

 
  

Weighted average number of total shares outstanding (in millions)(2)

   23,147.1     57,587.3    68,079.8
    

 
  

(1)   Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. There are no potentially dilutive effects on the earnings of Banco de Chile as it had not issued convertible debt or equity securities.
(2)   Common shares outstanding are presented giving effect to the weighted average shares outstanding during the year for the Merged Bank, based on the exchange ratio of 3.135826295 shares of Banco de Chile for each outstanding share of Banco de A. Edwards, which had 7,381.41 million shares outstanding immediately prior to the merger.

 

F-55


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(v) Article 9 Presentation of Income Statements and Balance Sheets

 

The presentation of the consolidated financial statements differs significantly from the format required by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Rules 210.9 to 210.9-07 of Regulation S-X (“Article 9”). The following financial statements are presented in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2002 and are presented in a format that complies with the requirements of Article 9 of Regulation S-X. The Income Statements presented for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 disclose the Bank’s U.S. GAAP income statements in a format that complies with the requirements of Article 9 of regulation S-X.

 

The principal reclassifications and adjustments which were made to the basic Chilean GAAP consolidated financial statements in order to present them in the Article 9 format are as follows:

 

  1.   Elimination of contingent assets and liabilities from the balance sheet.

 

  2.   Elimination of investments in mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank and held for future sale against the related liability.

 

  3.   Presentation of recoveries of loans previously charged-off as a reduction of the provision for loan losses instead of as other income.

 

  4.   Reclassification of fees relating to contingent loans from interest income under Chilean GAAP to other income under Article 9.

 

  5.   Elimination of the cash clearing account from cash and due from banks.(1)

 

  6.   Presentation of forward contracts classified based on legal right to offset.

 

  7.   Reclassification of assets under lease from Other assets under Chilean GAAP to Bank premises and equipment under Article 9.

 

  8.   Inclusion of adjustments to U.S. GAAP described in Note 28(s).

(1)   In accordance with regulations issued by the Superintendency of Banks, Chilean banks include under the caption “Cash and due from banks” amounts related to checks from other banks that have been deposited in their clients’ checking accounts that are pending settlement. As no cash is involved in the transaction, these amounts should not be recorded under U.S. GAAP until the cash is received, which normally occurs the following business day.

 

F-56


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(v) Article 9 Presentation of Income Statements and Balance Sheets (continued)

 

The following income statements presented for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP to disclose the Bank’s consolidated income statement in accordance with the requirements of Article 9:

 

Income Statements

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

INTEREST INCOME:

                  

Interest and fees on loans

   291,681     605,657     597,423  

Interest on investments

   27,365     101,489     129,473  

Interest on mortgage finance bonds

   529     393     —    

Interest on deposits with banks

   792     4,951     3,920  

Interest under agreements to resell

   1,321     9,381     238  
    

 

 

Total interest income

   321,688     721,871     731,054  
    

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE:

                  

Interest on deposits

   (124,805 )   (233,493 )   (150,751 )

Interest on investments sold under agreements to purchase

   (11,186 )   (15,527 )   (10,364 )

Interest on short-term debt

   (9,958 )   (18,376 )   (43,790 )

Interest on long-term debt

   (54,352 )   (132,862 )   (128,555 )

Interest on other borrowed funds

   (756 )   (320 )   —    

Price-level restatement(1)

   (7,415 )   (10,075 )   (9,596 )
    

 

 

Total interest expense

   (208,472 )   (410,653 )   (343,056 )
    

 

 

Net interest income

   113,216     311,218     387,998  

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

   (36,096 )   (53,361 )   (106,591 )
    

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

   77,120     257,857     281,407  
    

 

 

OTHER INCOME:

                  

Fees and commissions

   11,640     37,947     50,521  

Brokerage and securities income net gain (losses) on trading activities

   470     (9,473 )   619  

Net gains (losses) on foreign exchange

   7,054     5,090     (30,917 )

Other revenue

   10,309     11,627     6,783  
    

 

 

Total other income

   29,473     45,191     27,006  
    

 

 

OTHER EXPENSES:

                  

Salaries

   (42,732 )   (116,779 )   (134,189 )

Net premises and equipment expenses

   (10,144 )   (22,213 )   (28,721 )

Goodwill amortization

   (5,484 )   (12,333 )   —    

Administration expenses

   (34,928 )   (78,066 )   (85,848 )

Other expenses

   (13,179 )   (21,466 )   (47,912 )

Minority interest

   (378 )   (1 )   (1 )
    

 

 

Total other expenses

   (106,845 )   (250,858 )   (296,671 )
    

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

   (252 )   52,190     11,742  

INCOME TAXES

   158     (2,428 )   5,212  
    

 

 

NET INCOME

   (94 )   49,762     16,954  
    

 

 

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, NET OF TAXES

   —       2     —    
    

 

 

NET INCOME

   (94 )   49,764     16,954  
    

 

 


In connection with the preparation of the Article 9 income statement:

 

(1)   The price-level restatement includes the effect of inflation primarily resulting from the loss in purchasing power on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities due to inflation. As the Bank does not maintain the price-level adjustment for separate categories of assets and liabilities, such adjustment is presented as a component of interest expense.

 

F-57


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(v) Article 9 Presentation of Income Statements and Balance Sheets (continued)

 

The following balance sheets presented as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP to disclose the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the requirements of Article 9:

 

Balance Sheets

 

     As of December 31,

 
     2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$  

ASSETS

            

Cash and due from banks

   339,940     273,443  

Term Federal Funds

   185,288     114,000  

Interest bearing deposits in other banks

   60,437     33,269  

Investments under agreements to resell

   51,463     32,177  

Trading investments

   1,079,073     1,006,937  

Available-for-sale investments

   139,771     113,365  

Held-to-maturity investments

   455,892     313,817  
    

 

Subtotal

   2,311,864     1,887,008  

Loans

   5,987,945     5,875,002  

Unearned income

   (80,078 )   (69,796 )

Reserve for loan losses

   (193,437 )   (194,545 )
    

 

Loans, net

   5,714,430     5,610,661  

Premises and equipment, net

   168,180     173,727  

Goodwill

   359,778     546,622  

Other assets

   353,782     381,876  
    

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   8,908,034     8,599,894  
    

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

            

Deposits:

            

Non-interest bearing

   1,056,584     1,252,510  

Interest bearing

   4,108,037     3,497,192  
    

 

Total deposits

   5,164,621     4,749,702  

Short-term borrowings

   194,988     259,845  

Investments sold under agreements to repurchase

   255,275     276,675  

Other liabilities

   263,908     244,001  

Long-term debt

   1,863,597     1,789,708  
    

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   7,742,389     7,319,931  

Minority interest

   3     3  

Shareholder’s equity:

            

Common stock

   477,727     477,727  

Other Shareholders’ equity

   687,915     802,233  
    

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   1,165,642     1,279,960  
    

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   8,908,034     8,599,894  
    

 

 

F-58


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(v) Article 9 Presentation of Income Statements and Balance Sheets (continued)

 

The following is a reconciliation of total assets presented in accordance with guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks and the presentation prescribed by Article 9:

 

     As of December 31,

 
     2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$  

Total assets of merged Bank under Chilean GAAP

   9,244,337     8,596,031  

Elimination of assets offset by liabilities:

            

Reclassification of forward contracts

   22,926     21,216  

Contingent loans

   (382,305 )   (381,767 )

Cash clearing account

   (402,647 )   (388,305 )

Repurchased mortgage finance bonds issued by the Bank

   (157,158 )   —    

U.S. GAAP adjustments, net

   582,881     752,719  
    

 

Total assets as per Article 9 presentation

   8,908,034     8,599,894  
    

 

 

(w) Income taxes

 

The reconciliation of the provision for income taxes charged to income under Chilean GAAP to the corresponding amounts under U.S. GAAP is as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Benefit for the period under Chilean GAAP

   1,057     1,155     1,153  

U.S. GAAP Adjustments:

                  

Deferred tax effect of applying SFAS No. 109

   (1,172 )   (2,477 )   (2,329 )

Deferred tax effect of U.S. GAAP adjustments

   273     (1,106 )   6,388  
    

 

 

Benefit (Charge) for the period under U.S. GAAP

   158     (2,428 )   5,212  
    

 

 

 

F-59


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(w) Income taxes (continued)

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are summarized as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

    2002

     MCh$     MCh$

Deferred Tax Assets:

          

Leasing equipment

   3,246     5,198

Obligations with repurchase agreement

   7,240     25,393

Global allowance for loan losses

   14,346     18,087

Voluntary loan loss allowance

   5,837     3,392

Charge-offs from financial investment

   —       2,312

Accrued interests and readjustments from risky loan portfolio

   1,918     1,595

Staff vacations

   1,192     1,321

Accruals interest and readjustments from past due loans

   254     1,060

Personnel provisions

   265     908

Assets at market value

   353     1,097

Staff severance indemnities

   1,986     1,324

Other adjustments

   4,150     8,404

Deferred income taxes related to purchase accounting of Banco de A. Edwards

   —       4,005
    

 

Total Deferred Tax Assets

   40,787     74,096
    

 

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

          

Investments with repurchase agreement

   7,250     24,548

Depreciation and price-level restatement of bank premises and equipment

   3,779     4,031

Transitory assets

   3,113     1,346

Deferred income taxes related to push down accounting adjustments

   28,560     26,980

Other adjustments

   1,751     1,993
    

 

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

   44,453     58,898
    

 

NET DEFERRED TAX ASSETS (LIABILITIES)

   (3,666 )   15,198
    

 

 

F-60


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(w) Income taxes (continued)

 

The provision for income taxes under U.S. GAAP differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable Chilean statutory income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following differences:

 

     Years ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Chilean taxes due at the applicable statutory rate(1)

   121     8,002     2,063  

Increase (decrease) in rates resulting from:

                  

Non-deductible expenses

   137     3,096     2,067  

Non-taxable income

   —       (6,009 )   (3,525 )

Effect on tax and financial equity restatement(2)

   (297 )   (930 )   (1,192 )

Effect of income tax rate change on net deferred tax assets

   —       —       (2,070 )

Income tax recovery

   —       (1,063 )   —    

Other

   (119 )   (668 )   (2,555 )
    

 

 

At effective tax rate

   (158 )   2,428     (5,212 )
    

 

 


(1)   The Chilean statutory first category (corporate) income tax rate was 15% for 2000 and 2001, and 16% for 2002. Enacted income tax rates are scheduled to be 16.5% and 17%, for the taxation years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and thereafter, respectively.
(2)   This item corresponds to the difference in the basis used for the price-level restatement calculation of shareholder’s equity for financial and tax purposes.

 

(x) Comprehensive Income

 

The Bank presents comprehensive income and its components with the objective to report a measure of all changes in shareholders’ equity that result from transactions and other economic events of the period other than transactions with owners (“comprehensive income”). Comprehensive income is the total net income and other non-owner equity transactions that result in changes in net equity.

 

The following represents accumulated other comprehensive income balance, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002:

 

     Year ended December 31, 2002

 
     Before-tax
amount


    Tax (expense)
or benefit


    Net-of-tax
amount


 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Beginning balance

   (2,179 )   355     (1,824 )

Price-level restatement(1)

   63     (10 )   53  

Unrealized gains on securities available for sale:

                  

Unrealized gains arising during the period

   9,577     (1,532 )   8,045  

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in income

   (511 )   82     (429 )
    

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   9,066     (1,450 )   7,616  

Adjustment for translation differences

   2,054     (329 )   1,725  
    

 

 

Ending balance

   9,004     (1,434 )   7,570  
    

 

 

 

F-61


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(x) Comprehensive Income (continued)

 

     Year ended December 31, 2001

 
    

Before-tax

amount


   

Tax (expense)

or benefit


   

Net-of-tax

amount


 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Beginning balance

   194     (30 )   164  

Incorporation of Banco de Chile as of March 2001

   (2,432 )   365     (2,067 )

Price-level restatement(1)

   61     (10 )   51  

Unrealized losses on securities available for sale:

                  

Unrealized losses arising during the period

   (3,344 )   535     (2,809 )

Less: reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income

   1,311     (197 )   1,114  
    

 

 

Net unrealized losses

   (2,033 )   338     (1,695 )

Adjustment for translation differences

   2,031     (308 )   1,723  
    

 

 

Ending balance

   (2,179 )   355     (1,824 )
    

 

 

 

     Year ended December 31, 2000

 
    

Before-tax

amount


   

Tax (expense)

or benefit


   

Net-of-tax

amount


 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Beginning balance

   48     (8 )   40  

Price-level restatement(1)

   (2 )   —       (2 )

Unrealized losses on securities available for sale:

                  

Unrealized losses arising during the period

   (381 )   57     (324 )

Less: reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income

   529     (79 )   450  
    

 

 

Net unrealized losses

   148     (22 )   126  

Adjustment for translation differences

   —       —       —    
    

 

 

Ending balance

   194     (30 )   164  
    

 

 


(1)   Reflects the effect of inflation on the comprehensive income at the beginning of each period, adjusted to constant pesos of December 31, 2002.

 

(y) Segment information

 

The Bank presents information in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No.131 “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments and related disclosures about products and services and geographic areas. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is regularly used by the Chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

 

The Bank has strategically aligned its operations into six major segments of business based on its market segmentation and the needs of its clients and trading partners. The Bank manages and measures the performance of its operations through these business segments using an internal profitability reporting system. The internally reported segments are as follows:

 

F-62


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(y) Segment information (continued)

 

Large Corporate Banking

 

The Large Corporate Banking segment provides services to domestic companies with annual sales in excess of Ch$12,000 million, multinational corporations, financial institutions, governmental entities and companies affiliated with Chile’s largest economic groups. Services provided include deposit taking and lending in both Chilean pesos and foreign currency, trade and project financing, working capital financing, foreign trade financing, lines of credit, commercial mortgage loans and various non-credit services, such as collection, supplier payments, payroll management and a wide range of treasury and risk management products.

 

Middle Market Corporate Banking

 

The middle market corporate banking segment provides services to companies with annual sales less than Ch$12,000 million. Services provided include working capital financing, mortgage loans and debt rescheduling as well as alternative financing arrangements such as leasing operations and factoring.

 

Retail Banking,

 

The Retail-banking segment primarily provides individual customers with credit cards, residential mortgage, auto and consumer loans as well as traditional deposit services such as checking and savings accounts and time deposits.

 

International Banking,

 

The International Banking segment includes services offered principally through the Bank’s New York branch and its agency in Miami, representative offices in Buenos Aires, São Paulo and Mexico City and a worldwide network of correspondent banks.

 

Treasury

 

The Treasury segment is responsible for the management of the Bank’s assets and liabilities and also offers financial services to other segments and external customers such as currency intermediation, instruments developed for currency and interest rate risk hedging, transactions under repurchase agreements and investment products based on bonds, mortgage notes and deposits. The Treasury segment is also responsible for monitoring compliance with regulatory deposit limits, technical reserves and maturity and rate matches.

 

Subsidiaries

 

The Subsidiaries segment includes non-banking financial services offered through separate legal entities including securities brokerage, mutual fund and investment fund management, financial advisory services, factoring, insurance brokerage, securitization, collection and sales services.

 

The financial information used to measures the performance of the Bank’s business segments is not necessarily comparable with similar information from other financial institutions and is based on internal reporting policies. The accounting policies are the same as those applied under Chilean GAAP, described in Note 1, except as noted below:

 

  The net interest margin of loans and deposits is measured on an individual transaction and client basis, based on the difference between the effective customer rate and the related Bank’s fund transfer price in terms of maturity, re-pricing and currency;

 

  The matching of interest rates and the insurance of adequate hedging activities are performed within Treasury Operations. The results associated to the gap management has been allocated among different segments in accordance to the amount of interest earning assets in each segment;

 

  The internal performance profitability system considers capital allocation in each segment in accordance to Basle guidelines.

 

  Provisions for loan losses in each segment are measured on a client basis.

 

F-63


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price—level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(y) Segment information (continued)

 

  In terms of costs, the Bank’s management model used considers the allocation of costs that are directly related and not the overhead expenses of corporate and support departments, voluntary allowances, taxes and certain other non-operating income and expenses;

 

  Certain operating costs are allocated to each segment based on the type and amount of transactions. In addition, the Bank allocates theoretical rental costs to each property-owned branch based on market rental values so that the results of these branches are comparable to rental-property branches.

 

The following tables show the results of the Bank by operating segments for the three years ended December 31, 2002:

 

    Year ended December 31, 2002(1)

 
    Large
Corporate


    Middle
Market


    Retail
Banking


    International
Banking


    Treasury

    Subsidiaries

    Other
(2)


    Total

 
    MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Operating Revenues

  90,662     109,911     153,881     2,589     25,135     42,112     (33 )   424,257  

Provisions

  (47,200 )   (30,408 )   (37,469 )   (318 )   (227 )   (1,613 )   16,591     (100,644 )

Operating Expenses

  (15,164 )   (37,458 )   (72,050 )   (8,968 )   (1,493 )   (24,106 )   (98,000 )   (257,239 )

Other income and expenses

  (9,374 )   (3,260 )   1,978     (201 )   (361 )   (2,896 )   (778 )   (14,892 )
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income before taxes

  18,924     38,785     46,340     (6,898 )   23,054     13,497     (82,220 )   51,482  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Year ended December 31, 2001(1)

 
    Large
Corporate


    Middle
Market


    Retail
Banking


    International
Banking


    Treasury

    Subsidiaries

    Other
(2)


    Total

 
    MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Operating Revenues

  61,371     85,360     93,406     18,381     17,079     26,116     (21,465 )   280,248  

Provisions

  (29,125 )   (4,825 )   (16,159 )   381     (1,092 )   (59 )   3,615     (47,264 )

Operating Expenses

  (12,941 )   (32,820 )   (51,864 )   (7,998 )   (4,086 )   (9,944 )   (30,962 )   (150,615 )

Other income and expenses

  (1,561 )   (1,360 )   2,949     105     (299 )   (6,120 )   12,108     5,822  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income before taxes

  17,744     46,355     28,332     10,869     11,602     9,993     (36,704 )   88,191  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Year ended December 31, 2000(1)

 
    Large
Corporate


    Middle
Market


    Retail
Banking


    International
Banking


    Treasury

    Subsidiaries

    Other
(2)


    Total

 
    MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Operating Revenues

  63,240     97,535     89,840     19,525     12,151     4,188     (10,240 )   276,239  

Provisions

  (5,825 )   (10,676 )   (14,275 )   (215 )   (392 )   (399 )   (8,886 )   (40,668 )

Operating Expenses

  (13,326 )   (36,974 )   (51,416 )   (8,281 )   (3,593 )   (8,821 )   (25,542 )   (147,953 )

Other income and expenses

  (4,337 )   (1,814 )   1,764     (30 )   (453 )   11,746     (5,869 )   1,007  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income before taxes

  39,752     48,071     25,913     10,999     7,713     6,714     (50,537 )   88,625  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)   Segment information disclosed above is based on internal reporting policies and does not conform to Chilean or U.S. GAAP.
(2)   “Other” includes the effect of conforming management accounting policies to accounting principles generally accepted in Chile and a number of non-allocated costs, such as corporate overhead expenses, voluntary provisions and depreciation costs. Also included within other are amounts of miscellaneous income or expenses that are not earned or incurred by one specific segment, including all external rental income.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(y) Segment information (continued)

 

Information about geographic areas.

 

The financial information presented below has been classified considering the country in which the related transactions were originated. Those transactions which originated in the United States of America, through Banco de Chile’s operations in New York and Miami, U.S.A., are primarily completed with Chilean and Argentine citizens and enterprises, and are principally denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

A summary of activities by geographic area is as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

   2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$    MCh$  

Total Interest Revenues

                 

Republic of Chile

   535,749     489,998    668,304  

U.S.A.

   48,106     41,022    21,409  

Total Net Income

                 

Republic of Chile

   72,830     79,724    58,175  

U.S.A.

   14,204     9,853    (5,540 )

Mortgage Loans

                 

Republic of Chile

   795,575     832,181    1,187,271  

U.S.A.

   —       —      —    

Commercial Loans

                 

Republic of Chile

   1,533,632     1,548,588    2,401,988  

U.S.A.

   155,721     118,932    115,331  

Income Taxes

                 

Republic of Chile

   (1,583 )   1,195    976  

U.S.A.

   (8 )   191    177  

Bank Premises and equipment

                 

Republic of Chile

   85,522     86,058    137,784  

U.S.A.

   1,219     1,601    1,559  

Total Assets

                 

Republic of Chile

   5,307,754     5,617,008    7,992,073  

U.S.A.

   671,192     653,069    603,958  

 

F-65


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(z) Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The accompanying tables provide disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments owned by the Bank. Various limitations are inherent in the presentation, including the following.

 

  The data excludes non-financial assets and liabilities, such as bank premises and equipment and excludes values attributable to deposit and credit card relationships.

 

  While the data represents management’s best estimates, the data is subjective, involving significant estimates regarding current economic and market conditions and risk characteristics.

 

The methodologies and assumptions used depend upon the terms and risk characteristics of the various instruments and include the following:

 

  Cash and due from banks represents cash and short-term deposits which approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

  Most of the Bank’s securities are considered as trading and therefore are generally carried at quoted market prices. Interest earning assets and liabilities with an original maturity of less than one year are considered to have a fair value, which is not materially different from their book value.

 

  For interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities which are contracted at variable interest rates, their book value is considered to be equivalent to their fair value.

 

  For performing loans with fixed-rates and an original maturity of greater than one year, the fair values were calculated by discounting contractual cash flows, using the Bank’s current origination rates for loans with similar terms and similar risk characteristics.

 

  For loans where the Bank’s management believes that the amounts outstanding will not be paid in accordance with contractual terms, the estimated cash flows arising from the liquidation of collateralized assets and other expected flows have been discounted at an estimated discount rate commensurate with the risk in the collection of these amounts.

 

  For interest-bearing liabilities with fixed rates and an original contractual maturity of greater than one year, the fair values are calculated by discounting contractual cash flows at current market origination rates with similar terms.

 

  The estimated fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts was determined using quoted market prices of financial instruments with similar characteristics.

 

  The fair value of interest rate swaps represents the estimated amount the Bank would expect to receive or pay to terminate the contracts or agreements, taking into account current interest rates. As no quoted market prices are available for the interest rate swap and forward rate instruments held by the Bank, such estimates have been estimated using modeling and other valuation techniques.

 

F-66


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(z) Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

 

The estimated fair values of financial instruments and derivatives financial instruments are as follows:

 

    As of December 31,

    2001

  2002

    Carrying
Amount


  Estimated
fair value


  Carrying
Amount


  Estimated
fair value


    MCh$   MCh$   MCh$   MCh$

ASSETS

               

Cash and due from banks

  339,940   339,940   273,443   273,443

Interest bearing deposits in other banks

  60,437   60,437   33,269   33,269

Term federal funds

  185,288   185,288   114,000   114,000

Accounts receivable under spot foreign exchange transactions(1)

  22,606   22,606   29,950   29,950

Financial investments

  1,726,199   1,718,902   1,466,296   1,466,306

Loans, net(2)

  5,714,430   5,751,915   5,610,661   5,735,765

LIABILITIES

               

Deposits

  5,164,621   5,054,706   4,749,702   4,751,351

Accounts payable under spot foreign exchange transactions(1)

  66,108   66,108   28,200   28,200

Investments under agreements to repurchase

  255,275   255,275   276,675   276,675

Short term and long term borrowings

  2,058,585   2,196,798   2,049,553   2,124,014

Derivative instruments

  3,809   3,809   4,846   4,846

(1)   Included under the captions Other assets and Other liabilities.
(2)   The carrying amounts of loans in the above table excludes contingent loans since they represent undisbursed amounts under undrawn letters of credit and other credit guarantees granted by the Bank.

 

(aa) Price-level restatement

 

The net charge to income for price-level restatement is comprised of the following restatements of non-monetary assets and liabilities. These figures are expressed in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2002.

 

     Year ended December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Shareholders’ equity

   (10,493 )   (16,364 )   (15,787 )

Bank premises and equipment

   2,498     4,474     4,529  

Investment in other companies

   66     581     1,002  

Other, net

   514     1,234     660  
    

 

 

Net loss from price-level restatement

   (7,415 )   (10,075 )   (9,596 )
    

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ab) Leasing contracts

 

The Bank’s scheduled cash flows to be received from leasing contracts have the following maturities as of December 31, 2002:

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


Maturity


  

Net lease

Receivable


     MCh$

Due within one year

   76,962

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   42,378

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   30,729

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   19,967

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   16,809

Due after 5 years

   62,248
    

Total leasing contracts

   249,093
    

 

Leased assets consist principally of real estate, industrial machinery, vehicle, and computer equipment. The allowance for uncollectible lease receivable was MCh$10,611 as of December 31, 2002 (MCh$12,535 as of December 31, 2001), which forms part of the allowance for loan losses.

 

(ac) Obligations arising from lease commitments

 

The Bank leases certain premises under operating leases. The following table shows the future minimum payments under the terms of the lease commitments, expressed in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002.

 

    

As of

December 31,

2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   4,637

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   4,177

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   3,353

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   2,540

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   1,723

Due after 5 years

   4,327
    

Total obligations arising from lease commitments

   20,757
    

 

The rental expense on premises was MCh$6,352, MCh$6,589 and MCh$6,556 for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively, and is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income under “Administrative and other expenses”.

 

F-68


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ad) Investments in other companies

 

As of December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, investments in other companies and the Bank’s participation in such companies’ results of operations for each of the periods indicated, consist of the following:

 

     As of and for the years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

    2002

    Ownership
Interest
2002


     Income
(Loss)


   Investment

   Income
(Loss)


    Investment

    Income
(Loss)


   
     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$     MCh$     MCh$     %

Artikos S.A.

   —      666    (98 )   (68 )   (1,244 )   50.00

Servipag Ltda.

   —      666    83     716     50     50.00

Redbanc S.A.

   —      919    162     872     151     25.42

Soc. Operadora de Tarjetas de Crédito Nexus S.A.

   —      832    (414 )   874     48     25.81

Centro de Compensación Automatizado S.A. (CCA S.A.)

   —      140    34     152     12     33.33

Empresa de Tarjetas Inteligentes S.A.

   —      146    (44 )   155     (144 )   26.67

Equity participation in Banco de Chile

   5,705    —      1,410     —       —        
    
  
  

 

 

   

Total investments in other companies accounted for under the equity method

   5,705    3,369    1,133     2,701     (1,127 )    

Other investments carried at cost

   95    2,712    278     2,477     (161 )    
    
  
  

 

 

   

Total investments in other companies

   5,800    6,081    1,411     5,178     (1,288 )    
    
  
  

 

 

   

 

(ae) Bank premises and equipment, net

 

The major categories of Bank premises and equipment net of accumulated depreciation are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Land and buildings

   116,365    110,146

Furniture and fixtures

   22,258    19,454

Machinery and equipment

   20,165    17,738

Vehicles

   489    530

Assets under lease

   7,727    23,531

Others

   1,176    2,328
    
  

Bank premises and equipment, net

   168,180    173,727
    
  

 

In accordance with rules of the Superintendency of Banks, bank premises and equipment are presented net of accumulated depreciation. As a result no information is available for either accumulated depreciation or total bank premises and equipment.

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(af) Other assets and other liabilities

 

(1) Other assets

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Intangibles

   158,013    168,570

Deferred income tax assets

   40,787    74,096

Amounts receivable under spot foreign exchange transaction

   22,606    29,950

Derivative instruments

   32,910    24,851

Assets received in lieu of payment

   36,171    19,605

Dividends receivable

   —      6,474

Transactions in process

   10,576    19,136

Investments in other companies

   6,081    5,178

Deferred loan origination and service costs

   4,399    3,675

Accounts receivable for assets received in lieu of payment sold

   5,324    3,432

Accounts receivable for financial investments

   21    3,339

Deferred software cost

   4,806    3,148

Recoverable taxes

   1,709    2,763

VAT fiscal credit

   1,159    1,284

Brokerage operations

   1,946    1,254

Materials and supplies

   1,096    956

Prepaid advertising expenses

   999    863

Other deferred expenses

   3,988    643

Other

   21,191    12,659
    
  

Total other assets

   353,782    381,876
    
  

 

(2) Other liabilities

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Accounts payable

   16,859    35,533

Deferred income tax liabilities

   44,453    58,898

Derivative instruments

   36,719    29,697

Amounts payable under spot foreign exchange transaction

   66,108    28,200

Documents in transit

   27,230    22,537

Provision for minimum dividend

   29,995    15,791

Accrued severance staff indemnities

   12,749    11,495

Accrued staff vacation expense

   8,134    8,611

Deferred loan origination and service fees

   5,643    6,381

Transactions in process

   2,373    2,710

Administration and credit card contract provision

   1,488    2,213

VAT fiscal debit

   1,896    2,171

Legal contingencies provision

   127    1,088

Other

   10,134    18,676
    
  

Total other liabilities

   263,908    244,001
    
  

 

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Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(af) Other assets and other liabilities, (continued)

 

(3) Contingent Liabilities

 

Contingent liabilities consist of open and unused letters of credit, together with guarantees granted by the Bank in Chilean pesos, UF and foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollars). The liability represents the Bank’s obligations under such agreements. The Bank’s rights under these agreements are recognized as assets on the Bank’s balance sheets under the caption “Contingent loans”. See Note 5.

 

(ag) Other Interest Bearing Liabilities

 

The Bank’s long-term and short-term borrowings are summarized below. In accordance with the guidelines established by the Superintendency of Banks, the Bank does not present a classified balance sheet. Borrowings are described as short-term when they have original maturities of less than one year or are due on demand. All other borrowings are described as long-term, including the amounts due within one year on such borrowings.

 

    As of December 31, 2001

  As of December 31, 2002

    Long-term

  Short-term

  Total

  Long-term

  Short-term

  Total

    MCh$   MCh$   MCh$   MCh$   MCh$   MCh$

Central Bank Credit lines for renegotiation of loans

  4,521   —     4,521   3,763   —     3,763

Other Central Bank borrowings

  —     74,754   74,754   —     —     —  

Mortgage finance bonds

  1,238,185   —     1,238,185   1,125,941   —     1,125,941

Bonds

  8,171   —     8,171   4,593   —     4,593

Subordinated bonds

  271,528   —     271,528   277,654   —     277,654

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

  11   46,247   46,258   126   50,362   50,488

Foreign borrowings

  288,491   47,625   336,116   331,770   178,574   510,344

Investments under agreements to repurchase

  —     255,275   255,275   —     276,675   276,675

Other obligations

  52,690   26,362   79,052   45,861   30,909   76,770
   
 
 
 
 
 

Total other interest bearing liabilities

  1,863,597   450,263   2,313,860   1,789,708   536,520   2,326,228
   
 
 
 
 
 

 

(1) Central Bank borrowings

 

Central Bank borrowings include credit lines for the renegotiation of loans and other Central Bank borrowings. Credit lines were provided by the Central Bank for the renegotiation of mortgage loans due to the need to refinance debts as a result of the economic recession and crisis of the Chilean banking system from 1982 to 1985. The lines for the renegotiations of mortgage loans are linked to the UF index and carry a real annual interest rate of 3.0%. The maturities of the outstanding amounts are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,
2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   3,763

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   —  

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   —  

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term (Credit lines for renegotiation of loans)

   3,763

Total short-term (Other Central Bank borrowings)

   —  
    

Total Central Bank borrowings

   3,763
    

 

F-71


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ag) Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

 

(2) Mortgage finance bonds

 

These bonds are used to finance the granting of mortgage loans. The outstanding principal amounts of the bonds are amortized on a quarterly basis. The range of maturities of these bonds is between five and twenty years. The bonds are linked to the UF index and carry a weighted average annual rate of interest of 6.7% as of December 31, 2002.

 

The maturities of outstanding mortgage bond amounts as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,
2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   124,031

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   109,062

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   109,282

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   108,468

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   104,913

Due after 5 years

   570,185
    

Total mortgage finance bonds

   1,125,941
    

 

(3) Bonds

 

The maturities of outstanding bonds amounts as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,
2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   1,563

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   844

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   844

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   844

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   498

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total bonds

   4,593
    

 

Bonds are linked to the UF Index and carried an average real annual interest rate of 6.8% as of December 31, 2002, with interest and principal payments due semi-annually. The bonds were originally intended to finance loans that had a maturity of greater than one year.

 

(4) Subordinated bonds

 

In 2001 the Bank issued Bonds totaling UF 1,580,000 (“known as 6.5% Bonds”) at a discount of UF 98,670. The 6.5% Bonds are linked to the UF index with interest and principal payments due semi-annually. The discount on the issuance of the “6.5% Bonds” is amortized over the life of the bond. As of December 31, 2002, the effective real interest rate is 7.0%, taking into consideration the discount on issuance.

 

F-72


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price—level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ag) Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

 

(4) Subordinated bonds (continued)

 

The 6.5% Bonds are intended for the financing of loans having a maturity of greater than one year. As of December 31, 2002 the outstanding maturities of these bonds, which are considered long-term, are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,
2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   16,039

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   11,098

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   12,241

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   13,329

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   14,937

Due after 5 years

   210,010
    

Total subordinated bonds

   277,654
    

 

The value of the subordinated bonds that can be considered in the “effective equity” should decrease by 20% per year beginning six years prior to maturity.

 

(5) Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

 

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions are used to fund the Bank’s general activities, carry a weighted average annual real interest rate of 2.38% and have the following outstanding maturities as of December 31, 2002.

 

    

As of

December 31,
2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   126

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   —  

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   —  

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   —  

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term

   126

Total short-term

   50,362
    

Total borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   50,488
    

 

F-73


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price—level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ag) Other Interest Bearing Liabilities (continued)

 

(6) Foreign borrowings

 

The Bank has short-term and long-term borrowings from foreign banks. The outstanding maturities of these borrowings as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

    

As of

December 31,
2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   273,579

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   52,596

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   5,469

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   126

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   —  

Due after 5 years

   —  
    

Total long-term

   331,770

Total short-term

   178,574
    

Total foreign borrowings

   510,344
    

 

All of these loans are denominated in U.S. dollars, are principally used to fund the Bank’s foreign trade loans and carry an average, annual nominal interest rate of 4.73% as of December 31, 2002.

 

(7) Other obligations

 

    

As of

December 31,


     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Other long-term obligations:

         

Payable accounts

   1,057    874

Obligations with Chilean government

   51,633    44,987
    
  

Total other long-term obligations

   52,690    45,861

Other short-term obligations

   26,362    30,909
    
  

Total other obligations

   79,052    76,770
    
  

 

As of December 31, 2002, other obligations had the following maturities:

 

    

As of

December 31,
2002


     MCh$

Due within 1 year

   11,572

Due after 1 year but within 2 years

   9,234

Due after 2 years but within 3 years

   6,529

Due after 3 years but within 4 years

   5,618

Due after 4 years but within 5 years

   4,302

Due after 5 years

   8,606
    

Total long-term

   45,861

Total short-term

   30,909
    

Total other obligations

   76,770
    

 

F-74


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ah) Commitments and contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank acts as defendant or co-defendant in various litigation matters. Although there can be no assurances, the Bank believes, based on information currently available, that the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings would not be likely to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

 

The Bank is party to transactions with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its business, which expose the Bank to credit risk in addition to amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. These transactions include commitments to extend credit not otherwise accounted for as contingent loans, such as overdrafts and credit card lines of credit. Such commitments are agreements to lend to a customer at a future date, subject to compliance with the contractual terms. Since a substantial portion of these commitments is expected to expire without being drawn on, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent actual future cash requirements of the Bank. The amounts of these loan commitments are MCh$934,946 and MCh$428,589 and the amounts of subscribed leasing contracts are MCh$11,011 and MCh$41,433 as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

 

(ai) Shareholders’ Equity

 

The Bank’s paid-in capital consists of 68,079,783,605 authorized shares of no fixed nominal value, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2002. Dividends related to the year ended December 31, 2001 were paid-out based on the legal entities in existence as of the year end.

 

Dividends are declared and paid during the year subsequent to that in which the related net income was earned.

 

Dividends were declared and paid to the respective shareholders of each of the merging banks based on prior year net income determined under Chilean GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 (presented in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002) are as follows:

 

    

Paid during the year ended

December 31,


     2000

   2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Dividends relating to Banco de Chile

   n/a    n/a    89,925

Dividends per share relating to Banco de Chile

   n/a    n/a    2.00

Dividends relating to Banco de A. Edwards(1)(2)

   —      1,685    10,442

Dividends per share relating to Banco de A. Edwards

   0.00    0.07    0.45
    
  
  

(1)   On January 1, 2002 Banco de A. Edwards merged with Banco de Chile
(2)   Dividends per share of Banco de A. Edwards are calculated with common shares outstanding during the year, based on the exchange ratio of 3.135826295 shares of Banco de Chile for each outstanding share of Banco Edwards, which had 7,381.41 million shares and outstanding shares immediately prior to the merger.

 

(aj) Transactions with Related Parties

 

In accordance with the rules of the Superintendency of Banks, related parties are defined as individuals or companies who are directors, officers, or shareholders who own more than 1% of the Bank’s shares.

 

Entities in which a director, officer or shareholder of the Bank holds more than a 5% interest as well as entities that have directors in common with the Bank are also considered to be related parties. In the following tables, trading and manufacturing companies are defined as operating companies, and companies whose purpose is to hold shares in other companies are defined as investment companies.

 

F-75


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(aj) Transactions with Related Parties (continued)

 

(1) Loans granted to related parties

 

Loans to related parties, all of which are current, are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     Loans

   Collateral
Pledged


   Loans

   Collateral
Pledged


   Loans

   Collateral
Pledged


     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Operating companies

   35,041    13,617    80,571    26,227    96,424    23,019

Investment companies

   505    444    4,749    476    6,944    2,208

Individuals(1)

   1,007    692    4,090    1,183    1,754    1,373
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   36,553    14,753    89,410    27,886    105,122    26,600
    
  
  
  
  
  

(1)   Includes only debt obligations that are equal to or greater than UF 3,000, equivalent to approximately MCh$50 as of December 31, 2002.

 

The activity in the balances of loans to related parties are as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

 
     2000

    2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$     MCh$  

Balance as of January 1

   31,275     36,553     89,410  

Incorporation of Banco de Chile as of March 31, 2001

   —       81,533     —    

New loans

   15,684     118,033     74,508  

Repayments

   (8,104 )   (143,596 )   (56,191 )

Price-level restatement(1)

   (2,302 )   (3,113 )   (2,605 )
    

 

 

Balance as of December 31

   36,553     89,410     105,122  
    

 

 


(1)   Reflects the effect of restatement of beginning balances to constant pesos of December 31, 2002.

 

F-76


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(aj) Transactions with Related Parties (continued)

 

(2) Other transactions with related parties.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, the Bank incurred the following expenses and income as a result of transactions with related parties equal to or greater than UF 5,000 equivalent to approximately MCh$84 as of December 31, 2002.

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

    2002

     Expense

   Revenue

   Expense

   Revenue

    Expense

   Revenue

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$     MCh$    MCh$

Transbank S.A.

   1,846    —      3,246    —       3,384    —  

Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A.

   222    —      1,758    —       2,617    —  

Redbanc S.A.

   1,766    —      2,749    —       2,217    —  

Operadora de Tarjetas de Crédito Nexus S.A.

   811    —      1,746    —       1,592    —  

Sociedad y Promoción y Eventos Mundo Edwards S.A

   —      —      1,082    —       414    —  

Corporación. Cultural de la Ilustre Municipalidad de Santiago

   —      —      —      —       350    —  

Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A.

   —      —      —      —       333    —  

Depósito Central de Valores S.A

   —      —      —      —       192    —  

Banedwards Cía de Seguros de Vida S.A.

   —      —      —      —       156    —  

Empresa de Servicios Especializados S.A

   285    —      933    —       155    —  

Hoteles Carrera S.A.

   —      —      95    —       150    —  

Entel Telefonía Local S.A.

   —      —      153    —       113    —  

Telefónica del Sur Carrier S.A.

   —      —      —      —       101    —  

Compañía Nacional de Teléfonos Telefónica del Sur S.A.

   —      —      —      —       100    —  

Empresa de Tarjetas Inteligentes S.A

   22    —      85    —       91    —  

Editorial Trineo S.A

   92    —      138    —       23    —  

Promarket S.A

   212    —      180    —       —      —  

Baned Servicios Legales Ltda.

   588    —      544    —       —      —  

Baned Servicios Especializados Ltda.

   269    —      1,423    —       —      —  

Línea Aérea Nacional Chile S.A.

   —      —      —      104     —      103
    
  
  
  

 
  

Subtotal

   6,113    —      14,132    104     11,988    103
    
  
  
  

 
  

Transactions between 1,000 and 5,000 UF:

                              

Services expenses

   —      —      177    —       330    —  

Telephone expenses

   —      —      61    —       33    —  

Other services and rentals

   876    22    392    23     —      —  

Rental income

   —      —      —      (15 )   —      —  
    
  
  
  

 
  

Subtotal

   876    22    630    8     363    —  
    
  
  
  

 
  

Total

   6,989    22    14,762    112     12,351    103
    
  
  
  

 
  

 

These expense and income items are for services received by the Bank from related parties at market rates. Article 89 of the Chilean Corporations Law requires that the Bank’s transactions with related parties be carried out on a market basis or on terms similar to those prevailing in the market.

 

F-77


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ak) Fees and income from services

 

The Bank’s fees and income from services and non-operating income and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 are summarized as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     Income

   Expenses

   Income

   Expenses

   Income

   Expenses

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Fees and income from services

                             

Mutual funds and stock brokerage

   4,997    181    13,576    876    16,180    1,755

Collection services

   1,006    —      2,933    —      8,919    —  

Credit lines

   2,562    —      5,587    —      7,544    —  

Collection and payment of services

   740    —      5,570    2,083    5,868    2,738

Contingent fees

   1,343    —      4,718    —      3,245    —  

Income and expense from goods received in lieu of payment

   90    547    598    2,021    2,932    1,713

Insurance brokerage

   2,047    —      3,941    596    2,750    712

Financial services

   598    —      1,731    3    1,910    19

Foreign trade services

   712    —      1,959    —      1,749    —  

Letters of credit guarantees, collaterals and other contingent loans

   214    —      1,167    —      1,725    —  

Bancuenta Credichile Administration

   68    —      1,062    —      1,716    —  

Leasing collection

   —      —      404    666    1,668    479

Custody and trust services

   82    —      632    —      589    —  

Fees from sales force

   —      1,937    —      2,829    —      5,014

Other

   1,051    1,205    4,961    1,818    7,552    1,396
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   15,510    3,870    48,839    10,892    64,347    13,826
    
  
  
  
  
  

 

(al) Non-operating income and expense

 

     Years ended December 31,

     2000

   2001

   2002

     Income

   Expenses

   Income

    Expenses

   Income

   Expenses

     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

Non-operating income and expenses

                              

Rental income

   232    —      2,424     —      2,686    —  

Recoveries of expenses

   —      —      620     —      967    —  

Gains on sales of assets received in lieu of payment

   595    —      4,323     —      902    —  

Income from correspondent banks

   160    —      1,003     —      578    —  

Income from sale of fixed assets

   101    —      199     —      519    —  

Securities in companies and shares

   —      —      84     —      295    —  

Miscellaneous gains on exchange

   —      —      134     —      233    —  

Overestimated provision

   —      —      (12 )   —      142    —  

Amortization of intangibles

   —      3,224    —       13,465    —      20,590

Charge-offs and provision of assets received in lieu of payment

   —      7,116    —       4,258    —      8,290

Charge-offs and provision related to fixed assets due to the merger

   —      —      —       61    —      4,348

Administration and credit card contracts

   —      —      —       1,626    —      3,042

Charge-offs of transaction in process related to the merger

   —      —      —       —      —      2,016

Asset received in lieu of payment

   2,133    —      510     —      —      1,722

Charge-offs

   —      271    —       310    —      1,302

Legal contingencies provision

   70    —      —       127    —      962

Delivery services of bank products

   —      —      —       432    —      638

Indemnity for termination of rental contracts

   —      —      —       —      —      582

Merge expenses

   —      —      —       —      —      1,233

Income (losses) attributable to investments in other companies

   5,800    —      1,437     26    —      1,288

Other

   1,218    2,568    905     1,161    461    1,899
    
  
  

 
  
  

Total

   10,309    13,179    11,627     21,466    6,783    47,912
    
  
  

 
  
  

 

F-78


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(am) Foreign Currency Position

 

The consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which have been translated to Chilean pesos at the Observed Exchange Rates as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and assets and liabilities denominated in Chilean pesos but that contain repayment terms linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, detailed below:

 

     As of December 31, 2001

   As of December 31, 2002

    

Payable in

Foreign

Currency


   

Payable in
Chilean

Pesos


   Total

  

Payable in

Foreign

Currency


   

Payable in
Chilean

Pesos


   Total

     MCh$     MCh$    MCh$    MCh$     MCh$    MCh$

ASSETS

                               

Cash and due from banks

   218,353     —      218,353    161,350     —      161,350

Loans

   839,965     103,279    943,244    863,456     52,918    916,374

Contingent loans

   194,909     4,885    199,794    201,099     —      201,099

Interbank loans

   11,726     —      11,726    6,306     —      6,306

Financial investments

   469,469     283,685    753,154    375,019     424,851    799,870

Leasing contracts

   —       53,868    53,868    —       58,348    58,348

Other assets

   39,508     1    39,509    104,044     —      104,044
    

 
  
  

 
  

Total assets

   1,773,930     445,718    2,219,648    1,711,274     536,117    2,247,391
    

 
  
  

 
  

LIABILITIES

                               

Deposits

   1,038,363     4,585    1,042,948    1,261,851     1,188    1,263,039

Contingent liabilities

   195,292     4,655    199,947    201,337     —      201,337

Borrowings from domestic financial institutions

   —       —      —      8,852     —      8,852

Foreign borrowings

   335,651     465    336,116    510,310     —      510,310

Other liabilities

   565,338     11,152    576,490    185,940     5,084    191,024
    

 
  
  

 
  

Total liabilities

   2,134,644     20,857    2,155,501    2,168,290     6,272    2,174,562
    

 
  
  

 
  

NET (LIABILITIES) ASSETS

   (360,714 )   424,861    64,147    (457,016 )   529,845    72,829
    

 
  
  

 
  

 

(an) Fiduciary Activities

 

The following items are recorded in memorandum accounts by the Bank and represent fiduciary safekeeping and custody services:

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     MCh$    MCh$

Securities held in safe custody

   2,198,306    3,716,925

Amounts to be collected on behalf of domestic third parties

   102,072    152,176

Amounts to be collected on behalf of foreign third parties

   250,688    343,889

Administration of assets

   39    37
    
  

Total fiduciary activities

   2,551,105    4,213,027
    
  

 

F-79


Table of Contents

BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ao) Financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk

 

(1) Derivative activities

 

The Bank takes positions in the foreign exchange market by the use of forward exchange contracts and spot exchange contracts. These activities constitute proprietary trading business and help the Bank to provide customers with capital markets products.

 

(2) Market risk and risk management activities

 

All derivative instruments are subject to market risk. This is defined as the risk that future changes in market conditions may make an investment more or less valuable. As most of these instruments are recognized at market value for the purposes of Chilean GAAP, these changes directly affect reported income. The Bank manages exposure to market risk in accordance with risk limits set by senior management by buying or selling instruments or entering into off-setting positions.

 

The Bank is exposed to credit related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to these financial instruments, risk that is monitored on an ongoing basis. In order to manage the level of credit risk, the Bank enter into transactions whit counterparties whom it believes have a good credit standing and, when appropriate, obtains collateral.

 

Therefore, the risk of loss due to non-performance is believed to be minimal.

 

The Central Bank requires that foreign exchange forward contracts be made only in U.S. dollars and other major foreign currencies. In the case of the Bank, most forward contracts are made in U.S. dollars against the Chilean peso or the UF. Occasionally, forward contracts are also made in other currencies, but only when the Bank acts as an intermediary. Unrealized gains, losses, premiums and discounts arising from foreign exchange forward contracts are shown on a net basis under “Other assets” and “Other liabilities”. (See note 10).

 

The notional amounts of these contracts as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 are as follows:

 

               Notional contract amounts

     Number of
operations


  

Less than

3 months


  

Over

3 months


     2001

   2002

   2001

   2002

   2001

   2002

               ThUS$    ThUS$    ThUS$    ThUS$

Local Market:

                             

- Foreign currency future purchase contracts with Chilean currency

   266    588    318,709    242,234    807,827    867,936

- Foreign currency future sale contracts with Chilean currency

   639    521    299,637    265,838    802,416    822,707

- Foreign currency forward contracts

   33    75    2,238    4,351    8,186    4,537

Foreign Markets:

                             

- Foreign currency forward contracts

   41    70    3,679    48,286    6,416    7,936

- Foreign currency futures sold

   138    175    14,166    —      —      17,588

- Interest rate swaps

   35    78    8,050    —      247,500    635,798

 

The amounts refer to United States dollar amounts purchased or sold, or the equivalent in United States dollars of the foreign currency purchased or sold or the future amount, or the amount on which interest rate contracts are agreed. The period refers to the contract maturity from the date of the transaction.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(ao) Financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk (continued)

 

(3) Contracts on the value of authorized readjustment systems (A.R.S.) and on interest rates in Chilean currency.

 

Description of transaction


  

Number of
operations


   Contract amounts

      Less than 3 months

   Over 3 months

     2001

   2002

   2001

   2002

   2001

   2002

               MCh$    MCh$    MCh$    MCh$

UF/pesos forward contracts purchased

   3    17    2,514    1,674    838    34,325

UF/pesos forward contracts sold

   28    5    3,945    —      2,849    2,547

Interest rate swaps

   3    —      —      —      33,501    —  

 

(4) Fair value of traded instruments

 

The table below sets forth the estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments held or issued by the Bank for trading purposes as of December 31, 2001 and 2002.

 

     Fair value as of December 31,

 
     2001

    2002

 
     MCh$     MCh$  

Contracts to purchase foreign exchange

   (9,257 )   (7,603 )

Contracts to sell foreign exchange

   5,448     12,449  

 

Fair values have been estimated using modeling and other valuation techniques for those instruments held by the Bank where no quoted market prices are available.

 

(ap) Sales and purchase of loans

 

From time to time, the Bank does sell and purchase loans based on specific requirements from customers. During the year ended December 31, 2002 the Bank sold loans totaling MCh$11,543, however, the Bank does not originate loans for future sale, comparative information for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 is not available. The Bank did not retain servicing or any other interest in the loans sold or retains any risks in the event of non-collection by the purchaser. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Bank purchased loans amounting to MCh$17,725. During prior years the Bank did not purchased loans. Any gains or losses on such transactions are recognized in results of operations at the time of the transactions.

 

The aggregate gains on sales of loans were MCh$85 for the year ended December 31, 2002, comparative information for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 is not available.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(aq) Loan concentration by economic activity (continued)

 

The following table summarizes the most significant loan concentrations expressed as a percentage of total loans, excluding contingent loans and before reserves for loan losses:

 

     As of December 31,

     2001

   2002

     %    %

Financial Services

   19.96    19.65

Residential mortgage loans

   17.15    17.93

Manufacturing

   11.35    10.21

Commerce

   12.42    11.85

Agriculture, livestock, agribusiness, fishing

   9.11    8.43

Consumer loans

   10.03    13.97

 

Substantial portions of the Bank’s loans are to borrowers doing business in Chile.

 

(ar) Pro Forma Information related to the acquisition of Banco de Chile (Unaudited)

 

Following the accounting requirements under U.S. GAAP, the financial information for the year ended December 31, 2000 and for the period between January 1, 2001 and March 27, 2001 reflects the financial information of the predecessor bank, Banco de A. Edwards. On March 27, 2001, Quiñenco, the common parent of the two banks, purchased a controlling interest in Banco de Chile. The following unaudited pro forma financial information gives effect to Quiñenco’s acquisition of Banco de Chile as if it had occurred on January 1 of each year presented below. These pro forma results from operations have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the actual results of operations.

 

The pro forma results, under U.S. GAAP, are as follows:

 

    

Years ended

December 31,


     2000

   2001

     MCh$    MCh$

Interest revenue

   920,321    846,195

Net income

   55,567    64,157

Earnings per share (Ch$)(1)

   0.82    0.94

(1)   Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year (68,089.8 millions as of December 31, 2000 and 2001). The Bank has not issued convertible debt or equity securities. Consequently, there are no potentially dilutive effects on the earnings of the Bank.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(as) Pro Forma Information related to the merger of Banco de Chile with Banco de A. Edwards (Unaudited)

 

The financial information presented under U.S. GAAP, reflects the merger of Banco de Chile with Banco de A. Edwards from March 27, 2001, the first date in which control of the banks was held by the common parent, although legally, the merger took place on January 1, 2002. As a result of this accounting treatment, the financial information for the year ended December 31, 2002 reflects the effects of the merger for the whole year (see Note 28 (a) for an explanation of the accounting for the merger under U.S. GAAP). The following unaudited pro forma financial information gives effect to the merger of the banks as if it had occurred on January 1, 2001. These pro forma results from operations have been prepared for informational purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the actual results of operations.

 

The pro forma results, under U.S. GAAP, are as follows:

 

     Year ended
December 31,
2001


     MCh$

Interest revenue

   857,522

Net income

   81,114

Earnings per share (Ch$)(1)

   1.19

(1)   Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year (68,089.8 millions as of December 31, 2000 and 2001). The Bank has not issued convertible debt or equity securities. Consequently, there are no potentially dilutive effects on the earnings of the Bank.

 

(at) Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In September 2002, the Chilean Superintendency of Banks issued Circular No. 3,189, which changed the method for calculating and accounting for the allowances related to credit risk. Under the new standard, Chilean banks are permitted to use the evaluation methods and models that each bank consider appropriate based on its specific kind of loan portfolio or transactions, following the general guidelines instructed by the Superintendency. Such models and further modifications have to be approved by the board of directors. The Bank is required to adopt the provisions as of January 1, 2004.

 

In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS No. 146”). This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized and measured initially at fair value only when the liability is incurred, not when it is “planned”. The Bank is required to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 146 for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002 and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the Bank’s results of operations or financial position.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

28. Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)

 

(at) Recent accounting pronouncements (continued)

 

In October 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 147, “Acquisition of Certain Financial Institutions”. The provisions of the Statement relate the accounting for acquisitions of certain financial institutions and the impairment or disposal of certain long-term customer relationship intangible assets. The effective date of this statement applies to acquisitions for which the date of acquisition is on or after October 1, 2002. This statement may have an impact on the Bank’s results of operations or financial position if a business combination would take place after that date.

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45: “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”. This interpretation clarifies the recognition requirements of a liability for guarantors and expands the disclosure requirements for guarantee arrangements. It requires a guarantor to recognize, at inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of an obligation undertaken in issuing a guarantee. Current treatment for guarantees requires recognition of a liability only when performance under the guarantee is probable. The recognition provisions are effective for guarantees that are entered into after December 31, 2002. Expanded disclosure requirements are effective as of December 31, 2002. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Bank’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”. The objective of this FASB Interpretation is to determine when a business enterprise should include the assets, liabilities, non controlling interests and results of a Variable Interest Entity in its consolidated financial statement. The standard will be effective on June 30, 2003. While the Bank is currently in the process of assessing the impact of this interpretation, it is not expected the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

29. Merger Expenses

 

The Bank recorded MCh$30,884 in its consolidated statement of income as of December 31, 2002 for merger expenses that have been directly charged to income for the period, as follows:

 

     As of
December 31,
2002


     MCh$

Staff severance indemnities

   14,484

Charge-offs and provisions related to fixed assets

   4,348

Charge-offs software development

   3,870

Charge offs of other assets

   2,134

Maintenance and remodeling of offices

   1,263

Other personnel expenses

   1,075

Consulting services

   1,030

Marketing

   584

Indemnity for termination of rental contracts

   582

Other

   1,514
    

Total

   30,884
    

 

During the year 2001, the merger expenses charged to income amounted to MCh$14,589.

 

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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

30. Relevant Events

 

(a)   Effective January 1, 2002, Banco de A. Edwards merged with and into Banco de Chile, with Banco de Chile as the surviving entity. As a consequence of the merger, Banco de Chile acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities of Banco de A. Edwards, succeeding said bank in all of its rights and obligations, and incorporating the equity of Banco de A. Edwards into Banco de Chile.

 

(b)   Effective January 1, 2002, the merger by incorporation of the subsidiaries of Banco de A. Edwards, Banedwards S.A. Corredores de Bolsa, Banedwards S.A. Factoring, Banedwards S.A. Asesoría Financiera and Banedwards Corredora de Seguros Limitada with and into the subsidiaries of Banco de Chile, Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A, Banchile Factoring S.A., Banchile Asesoría Financiera S.A. and Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada was approved. The Banco de Chile’s subsidiaries became the legal surviving entities. These mergers were agreed upon in the respective Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meetings of these companies.

 

On the same date, the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, in accordance with Exempt Resolution No. 401 dated December 17, 2001, authorized the transfer of the administration of all mutual funds administrated by Banedwards S.A. Administradora de Fondos Mutuos to Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A. (formerly Administradora Banchile de Fondos Mutuos S.A.).

 

(c)   The Board of Directors Meeting held on February 28, 2002, decided to dissolve the subsidiary Banedwards S.A. Administradora de Fondos Mutuos, by placing all the shares of that company in Banco de Chile. For such purposes, on March 22, the Bank purchased from the subsidiary Banchile Asesoría Financiera S.A., 131 shares of Banedwards S.A. Administradora de Fondos Mutuos.

 

(d)   In the Ordinary Shareholders Meeting of the Bank, held on March 21, 2002, it was agreed to re-elect the Bank’s Board of Directors.

 

After the corresponding voting at the above mentioned meeting, the following persons were appointed as Directors for a three year term:

 

Directors:

  

Jorge Awad Mehech

Jacob Ergas Ergas

Andrónico Luksic Craig

Guillermo Luksic Craig

Rodrigo Manubens Moltedo

Gonzalo Menéndez Duque

Máximo Pacheco Matte

Francisco Pérez Mackenna

Segismundo Schulin-Zeuthen Serrano

Máximo Silva Bafalluy

Manuel Sobral Fraile

Alternate Directors:

  

Jorge Díaz Vial

Edmundo Eluchans Urenda

 

(e)   At the extraordinary Board of Directors meeting held after the aforementioned Ordinary Shareholders meeting, it was agreed to make the following appointments:

 

Board of Directors President:

  Segismundo Schulin-Zeuthen Serrano

Board of Directors Vice-President:

  Andrónico Luksic Craig

 

F-85


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BANCO DE CHILE AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Restated for general price-level changes and expressed in millions of constant

Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2002)

 

30. Relevant Events (Continued)

 

(f)   Effective June 12, 2002, Banco de Chile (99%) and Banchile Asesoría Financiera S.A. (1%), a wholly owned subsidiary, acquired 100% of the shares of Promarket S.A., a privately held Corporation (“Sociedad Anonima Cerrada”), from the Companies Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada and Inmobiliaria el Rosal S.A.. This investment was approved by the Board of Directors, with a favorable opinion from the Committee of Directors, based on a valuation made by an independent consulting company.

 

(g)   On June 27, 2002, Banco de Chile, together with its subsidiary Banchile Asesoría Financiera S.A., acquired from Inversiones el Norte y el Rosal S.A. 10,000 shares of equal value of Baned Servicios Especializados S.A., today Socofin S.A.. As a consequence of the above, the participation of the Bank and Banchile Asesoría Financiera S.A. in Baned Servicios Especializados S.A. (Socofin S.A.) is 99.00% and 1.00% respectively. This investment was approved by the Board of Directors, with a favorable opinion from the Committee of Directors, based on a valuation made by independent consultants.

 

(h)   Purchase Promise Agreement:

 

Banco de Chile, “the promising buyer”, and Inversiones Vita S.A., Inersa S.A. and Sociedad Inmobiliaria del Norte Limitada, “the promising sellers”, amended the Share Purchase Promise Contract of Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A., executed between said companies and Banco de A. Edwards on November 9, 2000, agreeing to: (1) to extend the term for the execution of the Purchase Promise Agreement, until December 31, 2011, and (2) new terms for the determination of the purchase price.

 

Master Agreement and Other Agreements:

 

Likewise Banco de Chile, Banchile Corredores de Seguros Limitada and Banchile Seguros de Vida S.A., amended several provisions of the Master Agreement, the Distribution Agreement and the Collection Agreement respectively executed by Banco de A. Edwards, Banedwards Corredora de Seguros Limitada and Banedwards Compañía de Seguros de Vida S.A., dated November 9, 2000. By these amendments, the parties agreed to extend the term of such agreements until December 31, 2011.

 

The previously mentioned Amendments to the Purchase Promise Contract, Master Agreement and other agreements in reference, and due to represent transactions with related parties were approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors under the terms provided in Article 44 of Law No. 18,046 on Chilean Corporations Law, at Meeting No. 2,533 held on May 23, 2002, and No. 2,537, held on July 25, 2002, respectively, prior approval of the Bank’s Committee of Directors.

 

(i)   Through resolution N° 381 dated August 30, 2002, the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance approved the merger of Banchile Administradora de Fondos Mutuos S.A. with and into Banchile Administradora de Fondos de Inversión S.A., both subsidiaries of Banco de Chile, it also approved the amended name of Banchile Administradora General de Fondos S.A.

 

Likewise, the new Company’s capital increase from Ch$598,352,907 divided into 455,276 ordinary shares without par value, to Ch$2,554,614,813, divided into 11,181,138 ordinary shares without par value was approved, 99.98% are owned by Banco de Chile.

 

(j)   On October 8, 2002, Banco de Chile listed its shares on the Madrid Stock Exchange to be traded on the “Latinamerican Securities Market, LATIBEX”. The shares will be traded in Euros under the code XBCH in blocks of 600 shares per unit.

 

(k)   On December 20, 2002, Banco de Chile listed its ADRs with the United Kingdom Listing Authority (UKLA), to be traded on the London Stock Exchange. Each ADR represents 600 Banco de Chile’s shares.

 

F-86


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SIGNATURE

 

The registrant, Banco de Chile, hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

BANCO DE CHILE

By

 

/S/    PABLO GRANIFO


   

Name: Pablo Granifo

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: June 25, 2003


Table of Contents

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Pablo Granifo, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Banco de Chile;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a.   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

 

  b.   evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c.   presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a.   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b.   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: June 25, 2003

 

   

/S/    PABLO GRANIFO


   

Name: Pablo Granifo

Title: Chief Executive Officer


Table of Contents

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Arturo Tagle, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Banco de Chile;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a.   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

 

  b.   evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c.   presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a.   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b.   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: June 25, 2003

 

   

/S/    ARTURO TAGLE


   

Name: Arturo Tagle

Title: Manager—Planning and Research Division


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit


    
1.1    Estatutos of Banco de Chile, which serve as our articles of incorporation and bylaws, together with an English translation (filed as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-15266) for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).     
2.1    Form of Deposit agreement among Banco de Chile, JPMorgan Chase Bank as depositary, and the holders from time to time of ADSs (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-14020) filed on October 18, 2001).     
2.2    Form of Foreign Investment Contract among Banco de A. Edwards, Citibank, N.A. and the Central Bank of Chile relating to the foreign exchange treatment of an investment in ADSs, together with an English translation thereof (incorporated by reference to Banco de A. Edwards’ registration statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 33-97594) filed on September 29, 1995).     
2.3    Amendment to Foreign Investment Contract among Banco de Chile (as successor to Banco de A. Edwards), Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and the Central Bank of Chile, dated January 2, 2002, together with an English translation thereof (filed as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-15266) for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).     
4.1    Merger Agreement between Banco de Chile and Banco de A. Edwards, dated October 3, 2001 (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-14020) filed on October 18, 2001).     
8.1    List of subsidiaries.     
12.1    Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.