Banco Santander-Chile - BSAC STOCK NEWS

On February 16, 2021, Santander Chile issued its first sustainable bond worth US$50 million at a 0.71% interest rate for a three-year term. This bond focuses on financing women-led SMEs, reinforcing the bank's commitment to financial inclusion and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The bond is part of a larger loan portfolio of approximately US$380 million dedicated to women entrepreneurs. Santander aims to promote growth among women-operated businesses while enhancing its position in global ESG sustainability indexes.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE: BSAC) reported 4Q20 net income of Ch$183,435 million, up 57.2% YoY and 74.5% QoQ, achieving a ROAE of 20.4%. Full-year 2020 net income reached Ch$517,447 million, a 6.3% decrease vs. 2019. Total deposits rose 7.0% YoY, with non-interest bearing demand deposits increasing 41.4%. The bank's BIS ratio hit a 10-year high of 15.4%, leading to a 60% payout ratio on 2019 earnings. Net interest income also grew 18.0% YoY due to lower funding costs.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE: BSAC) has announced a conference call-webcast on February 4, 2021, at 10:00 AM ET to discuss its 4Q 2020 financial results. The earnings report will be published before the market opens on the same day. The quiet period will begin on January 21. Key Bank officers including CFO Emiliano Muratore will participate. Interested parties can join via a webcast or by dialing in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. For inquiries, contact Investor Relations.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE: BSAC) has launched Tienda Santander, a new virtual platform allowing credit card clients to purchase Apple products in up to 24 interest-free installments. This initiative is part of the bank's digital strategy and aims to expand product offerings, including essentials and leisure items. As a promotional launch, customers buying an iPhone 12 model will receive a 50% discount on AirPods. As of September 30, 2020, Banco Santander Chile reported total assets of US$ 72.9 billion.

Banco Santander Chile recently showcased its digital transformation efforts in a virtual investor talk. President Claudio Melandri highlighted a significant market share with over 35% of digital clients among private banks in Chile. The bank completed a US$360 million investment plan and announced an additional US$250 million for the 2021-2023 phase. Initiatives like Santander Life and WorkCafé are pivotal for customer engagement and cost reduction. As of September 30, 2020, total assets reached US$72.9 billion, with a BIS capital ratio of 15.1%.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE: BSAC) reported a net income of Ch$105,139 million for 3Q20, a 23.9% increase QoQ, despite adding Ch$30,000 million in provisions for potential credit quality impacts from COVID-19. Year-to-date, net income dropped 23.3% YoY to Ch$334,012 million. Non-interest bearing demand deposits surged 47% YoY, while total loans rose 9.3% YoY. The Bank's BIS ratio hit a 10-year high at 15.1%, prompting a proposal for a 3% dividend payout of retained earnings. However, non-interest income declined by 29% QoQ due to lower economic activity.

Santander-Chile's issuer credit rating has been confirmed at A by Standard & Poor's, with a negative outlook. The bank maintains a dominant position in Chile's commercial banking sector and shows strong profitability and asset quality metrics. Capitalization levels are aligned with its business strategy. The bank’s stability is expected to help it withstand challenging economic conditions. Additionally, Santander-Chile has actively promoted sustainable projects, enhancing its ESG profile.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE: BSAC) reported a record-breaking 76,500 checking account openings in August 2020, primarily through its digital platform, Santander Life. This figure marks a 732% increase compared to August 2019 and surpasses the banking industry's total of 34,100 accounts opened in the first five months of the year. Santander's market share in new account openings has likely exceeded 80% in 2020, supported by the demand for fully digital banking solutions during the pandemic. The bank currently has 1.14 million total current accounts.

Banco Santander Chile's (NYSE: BSAC) Superdigital App has rapidly gained traction, acquiring over 100,000 clients in just five months since its April launch. The app aims to enhance financial inclusion for nearly 4 million unbanked individuals in Chile, providing a fully digital banking experience. Its robust month-on-month growth is attributed to a simple on-boarding process and the digital shift prompted by COVID-19. The app enables users to conduct various financial transactions, such as payments and transfers, enhancing access to financial services across the country.