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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Act of 1934
 
For the month of February, 2006
 

 

of Chile, Bank
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
 

Chile
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 

Ahumada 251
Santiago, Chile
(Address of principal executive offices)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 
Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

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

(If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g-3-2(b): 82- ____.)


2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

Santiago, Chile, February 2, 2006 Banco de Chile (NYSE: BCH), a Chilean full service financial institution, market leader in a wide variety of credit and non-credit products and services which cross all segments of the Chilean financial market, announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005.  
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
• Banco de Chile confirmed its position as the leading financial institution in terms of profitability by reporting another year of record results with net income of Ch$180,724 million. Consequently, net income per share rose to Ch$2.65 in 2005 up from Ch$2.38 in 2004.

• The Bank ranked first with a ROAE of 26.7% in 2005, up from 23.6% in 2004, outperforming the system’s average of 16.4% at the same date.

• The Bank reported the highest market share gain in 2005 as a consequence of the strong loan growth, net of interbank, of 14.9% during such period, which implied 42 basis points increase in market share to 18.25% from 17.83%.

 
Selected Financial Data 
 
2004
 
2005
 
% Change
2005/2004
 
 
4Q04 
 
4Q05 
 
% Change 
4Q05/4Q04
 
Income Statement (Millions, Chilean pesos)                        
             Net Financial Income    358,593    377,369    5.2%    96,958    105,705    9.0% 
             Income from Services    131,408    137,793    4.9%    36,397    38,129    4.8% 
             Gains on Sales of Financial Instruments    (3,264)   3,289      (7,628)   (3,907)   (48.8)% 
   Operating Revenues    486,737    518,451    6.5%    125,727    139,927    11.3% 
   Provisions for Loan Losses    (76,158)   (55,014)   (27.8)%    (21,668)   (18,094)   (16.5)% 
   Total Operating Expenses    (249,623)   (276,464)   10.8%    (72,588)   (76,297)   5.1% 
   Net Income    158,123    180,724    14.3%    32,085    39,323    22.6% 
 
Earnings per Share (Chilean pesos)                    
   Net income per Share    2.38    2.65    11.3%    0.48    0.58    20.8% 
   Book value per Share    10.53    11.39    8.2%    10.53    11.39    8.2% 
 
Balance Sheet (Millions, Chilean pesos)                    
   Loan Portfolio    7,136,954    8,205,924    15.0%    7,136,954    8,205,924    15.0% 
   Total Assets    9,996,575    10,692,761    7.0%    9,996,575    10,692,761    7.0% 
   Shareholders' Equity    698,817    775,107    10.9%    698,817    775,107    10.9% 
 
Profitability                       
   ROAA    1.59%    1.77%        1.26%    1.52%     
   ROAE    23.6%    26.7%        18.7%    20.6%     
   Net Financial Margin    4.0%    4.2%        4.3%    4.7%     
   Efficiency ratio    51.3%    53.3%        57.7%    54.5%     
Asset Quality                     
   Past Due Loans / Total Loans    1.23%    0.87%        1.23%    0.87%     
   Allowances / Total Loans    2.23%    1.72%        2.23%    1.72%     
   Allowances / Past Due Loans    181.6%    198.1%        181.6%    198.1%     
Capital Adequacy                     
   Total Capital / Risk Adjusted Assets    11.7%    11.2%        11.7%    11.2%     
 





2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results



2005 Highlights

The Bank 


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2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


Financial System Highlights 






Page 3 of 17
2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


Banco Chile 2005 Fourth-Quarter and Year end Consolidated Results

NET INCOME 

The Bank completed another successful year by achieving a record consolidated net income of Ch$180,724 million during 2005, representing an increase of 14.3% compared to the previous year. The Bank’s many initiatives ranging from improving its market segmentation, expanding its distribution network, selecting and deploying teams of talented people, investing in a world class technological platform and offering diverse business solutions have been the basis for the Bank’s continued positive results.

The major contributors to the Bank’s outstanding annual results were:

These leading forces contributing to the robust financial performance of 2005 more than offset the increase in the Bank’s operating expenses.

The Bank's outstanding results during 2005 were reflected in its return on average assets (ROAA) and return on average shareholders’ equity (ROAE), figures which increased to 1.77% and 26.7%, respectively, in 2005, up from 1.59% and 23.6%, respectively.


In terms of quarters, net income for the 4Q05 amounted to Ch$39,323 million as compared to Ch$32,085 million in 4Q04. This 22.6% increase was mainly driven by higher net financial margins which were positively impacted by the inflation rate, lower losses on financial instruments and lower provisions for loan losses.

 
Bank, Subsidiaries and Foreign Branches' Net Income
 
(in millions of Chilean pesos)
 
2004 
 
2005 
 
% Change
2005/2004
 
4Q04 
 
4Q05 
 
% Change
4Q05/4Q04 
           
 
Bank    129,685    164,266    26.7%    24,906    38,942    56.4% 
Foreign Branches    3,931    (5,548)  
  401    (2,383)  
Stock Brokerage    10,156    9,476    (6.7)%    3,178    37    (98.8)% 
Gral Adm. of Funds    9,408    8,425    (10.4)%    2,584    2,066    (20.0)% 
Insurance Brokerage    695    747    7.5%    21    269    1181.0% 
Financial Advisory    1,819    400    (78.0)%    447    85    (81.0)% 
Factoring    2,185    2,142    (2.0)%    435    102    (76.6)% 
Securitization    61    126    106.6%    27    88    225.9% 
Promarket    48    108    125.0%    20    46    130.0% 
Socofin    142    448    215.5%    73    60    (17.8)% 
Trade Services Lltd.    (7)   134   
  (7)   11   
 
Total Net Income    158,123    180,724    14.3%    32,085    39,323    22.6% 
 

Subsidiaries performed well during 2005 generating 12.2% of the Bank’s total net income, however overall net profits generated by these companies decreased by 10.2% compared to the outstanding results reached in 2004. This annual decrease was mainly fueled by lower income registered by the Financial Advisory, the General Administrator of Funds and the Stock Brokerage.

The Financial Advisory subsidiary attained lower net income in 2005 where as in 2004 they accounted for higher fee income as a greater number of business was generated. It is worth mentioning that, during 4Q05 this subsidiary participated as both an arranging agent and a lender, together with 4 other banks, in an important syndicated long-term loan for a total amount of UF2,150,000 (approximately US$75 million) to a leading Chilean meat processing company, which exports more than 70% of its products to the Asian market.

The decrease in the net income of the Stock Brokerage subsidiary during 2005 mainly reflects higher operating expenses associated with variable compensations, higher indemnities and expenses related to advisories and software development associated with a new operational


Page 4 of 17
2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


platform, which seeks to improve control systems and efficiency. In addition, the 4Q05 net income of this subsidiary was negatively impacted by lower fee income and mark to market losses from the investment portfolio as interest rates increased during such quarter.

The annual decrease in net income from the General Administrator of Funds was principally a result of a change in the service agreement for the usage of the distribution network between the Bank and this subsidiary, which implied higher revenue for the Bank and higher fee expenses for this subsidiary and, to a lesser extent, due to higher salaries and advisories and technological expenses related to the above mentioned new operational platform developed in conjunction with the Stock Brokerage subsidiary. These higher expenses more than offset the 16.4% increase in income from services of this company.

During 4Q05 the mutual fund industry was negatively impacted by the rise of interest rates as investors began to reduce their positions in long-term fixed income funds towards short-term investments such as time deposits. As a consequence, average funds under management as well as the number of participants in mutual funds of the General Administrator of Funds subsidiary fell by 15% and 3.4%, respectively, during the last quarter of 2005.

The decline in net income of the Stock Brokerage company during 4Q05 was mainly due to a drop in the average stocks transactions of about 25.9% as compared to 4Q04 and to mark to market losses from financial investments registered at the end of 2005 as a consequence of the increase in the interest rates. It is worth mentioning that during 4Q04, important earnings were recorded by the Stock Brokerage subsidiary as a result of its participation in the important auction on the Santiago Stock Exchange for a 20% stake of Chile’s biggest brewer company, Compañía Cervecerías Unidas SA (CCU), sold by the leading U.S. brewing company Anheuser-Bush(BUD). In addition, higher operating expenses related to indemnities and variable compensations were registered in this subsidiary in 4Q05.

The net income of the Insurance Brokerage and the Factoring subsidiaries remained stable, while the increases in terms of percentages of the collection subsidiary Socofin and the Securitization subsidiary were notable. Additionally, the recently created Trade services subsidiary registered a positive result during 2005.

Concerning the Bank’s foreign branches, the negative result posted during 2005, was totally explained by the extraordinary expenses incurred as a result of the examination process carried out by the US regulators and as a consequence of the improvement in the internal controls.

NET FINANCIAL INCOME 

 
Net Financial Income
 
(in millions of Chilean pesos)
 
2004 
 
2005 
 
% Change
2005/2004 
 
4Q04 
 
4Q05 
 
% Change
4Q05/4Q04 
           
 
Interest revenue    562,933    680,149    20.8%    131,608    203,156    54.4% 
Interest expense    (222,636)   (310,351)   39.4%    (59,650)   (99,178)   66.3% 
Foreign Exchange transactions, net    18,296    7,571    (58.6)%    25,000    1,727    (93.1)% 
 
   Net Financial Income    358,593    377,369    5.2%    96,958    105,705    9.0% 
 
Avg. Int. earning assets    8,868,926    9,023,643    1.7%    9,054,656    9,022,281    (0.4)% 
Net Financial Margin 1    4.0%    4.2%    -    4.3%    4.7%    - 
 

Net financial income totaled Ch$377,369 million for 2005, an increase of 5.2% from the prior year. This annual increase was mainly driven by 14 basis point increase in net financial margin1 and, to a lesser extent, by a 1.7% growth in average interest earning assets.

The expansion in average interest earning assets was mainly led by a 9.3% expansion in average loans, which more than offset the 28% contraction in average financial investments.

Net financial margin which increased to 4.2% in 2005 from 4.0% in 2004 was largely benefited from:

     
   
1 Net financial income divided by average interest earning assets. 
 
2 The UF is an accounting unit which is linked to the Chilean CPI, and changes daily to reflect fluctuations in the index over the previous month. 


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2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


             consumer loans as well as factoring and lease contracts, most of them related to the retail and middle market segments.

These favorable effects were partially offset by:

Regarding net financial income for the 4Q05, it increased by 9.0% as compared to the figure for the 4Q04 as a result of a 41 basis point increase in net financial margin. The increase in net financial margin during 4Q05 mostly responded to the higher inflation rate, measured by the variation of the UF2, which peaked to 1.5% in 4Q05 from a modest 0.7% in 4Q04.


INCOME FROM SERVICES, NET 

 
Net Income from Services, by Company
 
(in millions of Chilean pesos)
 
2004
 
2005 
 
% Change
2005/2004
 
4Q04 
 
4Q05 
 
% Change
4Q05/4Q04 
           
 
Bank    80,692    79,720    (1.2)%    21,675    23,070    6.4% 
General Adm. of Funds    19,919    23,186    16.4%    5,629    6,098    8.3% 
Financial Advisory    2,622    923    (64.8)%    672    249    (62.9)% 
Insurance Brokerage    3,476    6,873    97.7%    674    2,006    197.6% 
Stock Brokerage    12,251    14,691    19.9%    4,674    3,487    (25.4)% 
Factoring    605    610    0.8%    135    134    (0.7)% 
Socofin    8,877    8,656    (2.5)%    2,296    2,545    10.8% 
Securization    249    352    41.4%    88    163    85.2% 
Promarket        (50.0)%        0.0% 
Foreign Branches    2,713    2,606    (3.9)%    553    334    (39.6)% 
Trade Services      174   
 
  42   
 
Total Net Incom e from Services    131,408    137,793    4.9%    36,397    38,129    4.8% 
 

Fee income reached another record level during 2005 totaling Ch$137,793 million, up 4.9% from the Ch$131,408 million recorded in 2004. This source of income, which contributed about 27% to the Bank’s operating revenues and represented 50% of operating expenses, has become a key driver for the Bank’s results as spreads continues to be under pressure due to the increased competition.

The Bank’s strategy has been focused on creating ways to provide value-added services through its extended distribution network and through a diversified range of products offered by the Bank and its subsidiaries, which not only provide additional fee income but also the opportunity to build long-term and more profitable relationships with customers. As a consequence, the Bank has not only encouraged further product usage within its current customers but also increased by about 28,000 the client base with new checking accounts, which coupled with the expansion of 257 new ATMs has implied an important increase in fees associated with sight accounts and ATMs. In addition, as the retail segment continued to expand its consumption, the Bank has recorded higher fee income from insurance, credit cards and credit lines products.

During 2005 large companies contributed importantly to the Bank’s fee income as a result of higher incomes from services related to the restructuring of credits, collection and payment services.

Regarding the slight decline observed in the Bank’s fee income line, this was mainly explained by higher cobranding and sales force expenses incurred in 2005


Page 6 of 17

2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

that are accounted as other services expenses. These expenses reflect the aggressive efforts made by the Bank in order to take advantage of growth in the retail segment.

Income from services coming from subsidiaries reached its peak during 2005, totaling Ch$55,467 million, an amount that represented 40.3% of consolidated fee income. The 15.5% increase in subsidiaries’ fees year-over-year was principally explained by the Insurance, Mutual Fund and Stock Brokerage companies. However, the new trade services subsidiary and the securitization company also contributed, to a lesser extent, to the above mentioned increase.

The satisfactory growth achieved in commissions by the insurance brokerage responded to the combination of a significant increase in the number of policies sold supported by marketing campaigns and strong sale force incentives, and by higher sales margins charged to the insurance companies by this subsidiary.

The General Administrator of Funds and Stock Brokerage companies, once again, confirmed their positions as industry leaders during 2005 with market shares of 25.4% in funds under management and 20.0% in stocks transactions. Mutual fund’s related fees showed an annual increase of 16.4%, mainly as a consequence of a 10.2% growth in average funds under management. During 2005 this subsidiary launched new mutual fund products such as guaranteed funds, dollar funds and real estate investment funds in order to suit different categories of customers with diversified investment alternatives.

Fees coming from the Stock Brokerage subsidiary rose by 19.9% during 2005, mainly due to a 5.5% increase in stock trading volumes and incremental fees generated by the investment banking unit. During 2005 this subsidiary participated in several important stock and public offerings boosting consequently this line of income.

Conversely, the decrease in income from services generated by the Financial Advisory subsidiary responded to a better performance during 2004 as the company actively participated during that year in bond placements, syndicated loan arrangements and mergers and acquisition processes.

The 4Q05 was an extraordinary quarter in terms of fee income, surpassing by 4.8% the fee income recorded in the 4Q04 which, in turn, was the best figure of the full year 2004. This increase was mainly led by extraordinary credit related fees associated to a credit restructuring of a corporate client in the infrastructure sector. To a lesser extent, higher income from services during 4Q05 compared to 4Q04 were also related to insurance products, mutual funds, collections, sight accounts and ATMs, credit card and credit lines within others. Fees accounted in both quarters represented approximately a 2.0% over average loans.

GAINS ON SALES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, NET 

Gains on sales of financial instruments for the year 2005 amounted to Ch$3,289 million as compared to a loss of Ch$3,264 million in 2004. The positive gains registered in 2005 were mainly related to earnings obtained during 2Q05 from securities maintained by the Stock Brokerage subsidiary as during the first half of 2005 long-term interest rates showed a decreasing trend. On the other hand, the losses accounted for in 2004 were closely related to mark to market losses pertaining to a cross currency swap transaction, which in turn explained the 4Q04 negative figure and, to a lesser extent, to losses coming from the sale of two loans from the manufacturing and retail sectors, which at the bottom line level were totally offset by related provision releases during such period.

Losses on sales of financial instruments recorded in 4Q05 were closely related to securities sales and mark to market losses accounted for by the Bank and by the Stock Brokerage subsidiary as a result of the increase in long-term interest rates during that quarter. However, the impact of the increased interest rates were less on the Bank, as a result of its efforts to reduce its exposure in long-term financial investments since the second quarter anticipating that long-term rates would increase, in comparison to the system average where significant losses were observed in investment portfolios which were accounted for against results and also against equity.


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2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results



PROVISIONS 

Provisions for loan losses amounted to Ch$55,014 million in 2005, a significant decrease of 27.8% as compared to the prior period. Lower provisions principally reflected better financial conditions and an improved economic environment, which positively impacted the corporate portfolios in particular those related to the construction and retail sectors. Provisions related to individuals have also shown a good performance, registering a modest increase as a consequence of an approximately 13.2% annual expansion in the loan portfolio of this segment.

As a consequence, provisions for loan losses to average loans ratio fell to 0.73% in 2005 from 1.11% in 2004. In terms of unconsolidated figures the Bank reached a ratio of provisions, net of recoveries, to average loans of 0.33% as of December 2005, well below the system’s average of 0.58% .

In terms of the quarterly figures, provisions for loan losses showed a 16.5% contraction compared to 4Q04, despite the higher loan growth portfolio during 4Q05, which almost doubled the growth rate of the year-earlier period (6.1% in 4Q05 versus 3.1% in 4Q04). The decrease in loan provisions during 4Q05 relative to 4Q04 was also driven by corporate loans mainly related to the construction sector, followed by the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors. Of note is that loan loss provisions for the 4Q05 accounted for approximately 13% of operating revenues, compared to 17% in 4Q04. As the ratio of provisions for loan losses to average loans is concerned, it dropped to 0.92% in 4Q05 from 1.21% in 4Q04.

 
Allowances and Provisions
 
(in millions of Chilean pesos)  
2004 
 
2005 
 
% Change 
2005/2004 
 
4Q04 
 
4Q05 
 
% Change 
4Q05/4Q04 
 
Allow ances                         
  Allow ances at the beginning of each period    190,559    159,318    (16.4)%    169,963    139,247    (18.1)% 
     Price-level restatement    (4,773)   (5,684)   19.1%    (1,128)   (1,714)   52.0% 
     Charge-off    (102,626)   (67,343)   (34.4)%    (31,185)   (14,322)   (54.1)% 
     Provisions for loan losses established, net    76,158    55,014    (27.8)%    21,668    18,094    (16.5)% 
Allow ances at the end of each period    159,318    141,305    (11.3)%    159,318    141,305    (11.3)% 
Provisions                     
 
  Provisions    (76,158)   (55,014)   (27.8)%    (21,668)   (18,094)   (16.5)% 
 
Ratios                     
       
  Allow ances / Total loans    2.23%    1.72%        2.23%    1.72%     
  Provisions, net /Avg.Loans    0.60%    0.29%        0.79%    0.51%     
  Provisions / Avg. Loans    1.11%    0.73%        1.21%    0.92%     
  Charge-offs / Avg. Loans    1.49%    0.90%        1.74%    0.72%     
  Recoveries / Avg. Loans    0.51%    0.44%        0.41%    0.40%     
       


OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES 

Total Other Income and Expenses increased to Ch$26,592 million in 2005 from Ch$23,913 million in 2004 mainly due to lower non-operating expenses recorded in 2005, which more than offset the 5.6% decline observed in recoveries of loans previously charged-off. Higher non-operating expenses during 2004 were mainly explained by a one-time provision regarding previous year credit cards related expenses and, by higher provisions for assets received in lieu of payment.

The 21% decrease in other income and expenses in 4Q05, compared to 4Q04, was mainly due to higher provisions and charge-offs on assets received in lieu of payment during 4Q05, which more than offset the increase observed in both recovery of loans previously charged-off and in participation in earnings equity.


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2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results



OPERATING EXPENSES 

 
Operating Expenses
 
(in millions of Chilean pesos)  
2004 
 
2005 
 
% Change
2005/2004
 
4Q04 
 
4Q05 
 
% Change
4Q05/4Q04
           
 
 Personnel salaries and expenses    (140,918)   (150,616)   6.9%    (41,354)   (41,184)   (0.4)% 
 Administrative and other expenses    (92,153)   (108,926)   18.2%    (26,930)   (30,887)   14.7% 
 Depreciation and amortization    (16,552)   (16,922)   2.2%    (4,304)   (4,226)   (1.8)% 
 
 Total operating expenses    (249,623)   (276,464)   10.8%    (72,588)   (76,297)   5.1% 
 
 Efficiency Ratio*    51.3%    53.3%        57.7%    54.5%    - 
 
* Operating expenses/Operating revenues 

Total operating expenses reached Ch$276,464 million during 2005, an increase of 10.8% compared to 2004, principally reflecting the impact of higher administrative expenses and, to a lesser extent, the growth in personnel salaries.

Higher administrative expenses were largely explained by extraordinary expenses incurred by the US branches during 2005 in connection with the efforts undertaken by the Bank to comply with the consent order agreed to with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). These expenses which mainly included legal counsel and advisory expenses amounted to approximately Ch$12,700 million in 2005, compared to Ch$1,500 million in late 2004. To a lesser extent, administrative expenses during 2005 were impacted by higher advertising costs in order to support commercial activities, increased rental expenses, principally associated to the expansion of the Bank’s network, and higher advisories and technological expenses coming from the Bank’s subsidiaries.

Personnel salaries and expenses increased by 6.9% during year 2005, mostly driven by higher indemnities mainly related to non-recurring expenses derived from the organizational structure change made in the second half of 2005 as part of the Bank’s decision of adjusting its client segmentation. To a lesser extent, salary increases and the incorporation of 792 new employees during the year contributed to the annual increase in this item. It is worth noting that the 63% of these new employees corresponded to Promarket sales force and the remainder were mainly related to the Bank’s commercial areas as well as to the branch network expansion.

Higher operating expenses recorded during 4Q05 compared to 4Q04 were also the result of the extraordinary expenses incurred in the US branches, including additional advisories expenses as well as a US$3 million (Ch$1,856 million) fine paid to the US regulators in accordance to the agreement entered with the OCC, and with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen). Regarding the slight decline in personnel salaries during 4Q05 related to the previous year same quarter, it responded to the one-time bonus paid in 4Q04 related to the anticipated four-year collective bargaining agreement signed by Banco de Chile and the worker unions in such quarter.

The efficiency ratio increased to 53.3% in 2005 from 51.3% in 2004. However, excluding the non-recurring expenses related to the OCC reviewing process and resulting from the organizational structure change, the efficiency ratio would have been 49.7% as of December 2005. In terms of unconsolidated figures, this ratio improved from 51.2% in 2004 to 50.4% in 2005, remaining below the system’s average of 54.1% .


LOSS FROM PRICE- LEVEL RESTATEMENT 

Loss from price-level restatement amounted to Ch$11,450 million in 2005 as compared to Ch$7,735 million during 2004, mainly due to the increase in the inflation rate used for adjustment purposes from 2.5% in 2004 to 3.6% in 2005.


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2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results



INCOME TAXES 

The Bank’s income taxes totaled Ch$21,391 million in 2005, as compared to Ch$19,010 million in 2004. The annual increase in income taxes was mostly related to the higher income tax base in 2005 as a result of a 14.1% increase in net income before taxes.

LOAN PORTFOLIO 

As of December 31, 2005, the Bank’s loan portfolio, net of interbank loans, totaled Ch$8,180,912 million, representing an annual expansion of 14.9% and a quarterly increase of 6.4% . These growths reflect the dynamic economic activity and the Bank’s strong commitment to improve its service quality, distribution network and product alternatives. Accordingly, the Bank’s number of debtors increased by approximately 58,000 or 12% during year 2005. Year-on-year loan growth was primarily driven by commercial, contingent, mortgage loans financed by the Bank’s general borrowing and consumer loans. In terms of percentage, factoring and lease contracts loans also grew importantly by 52% and 28%, respectively, as they participated during the year in important financing transactions. Conversely, foreign trade loans have been negatively impacted by the sharp decline of 8.1% in the exchange rate during 2005 (as they are denominated in foreign currency), while mortgage loans financed by mortgage finance bonds have been substituted by higher yielding mortgage loans which are financed by the Bank’s general borrowings.

In terms of sectors, the Bank’s annual loan expansion was supported principally by lending to the financial services, transport and infrastructure sectors, increasing therefore their contribution to the total loan portfolio from approximately 19% as of December 2004 to 23% as of December 2005.

Year-on year the loan portfolio of the whole sale segment grew by 21.1%, while the retail segment increased by 12.6%, more than offsetting the decrease in the loan portfolio of the foreign branches.

 
Loan Portfolio 
 
(in millions of Chilean pesos)  
Dec-04 
 
Sep-05 
 
Dec-05 
 
% Change 
12-months 
 
% Change 
4Q05/3Q05 
         
 
Commercial Loans    2,970,510    3,234,368    3,510,902    18.2%    8.5% 
Mortgage Loans 1    849,398    696,640    670,347    (21.1)%    (3.8)% 
Consumer Loans    716,758    803,538    864,144    20.6%    7.5% 
Foreign trade Loans    620,617    631,521    550,770    (11.3)%    (12.8)% 
Contingent Loans    550,013    619,904    723,574    31.6%    16.7% 
Others Outstanding Loans 2    969,947    1,202,581    1,335,021    37.6%    11.0% 
Leasing Contracts    356,232    425,543    454,805    27.7%    6.9% 
Past-due Loans    87,734    76,867    71,349    (18.7)%    (7.2)% 
Total Loans, net    7,121,209    7,690,962    8,180,912    14.9%    6.4% 
Interbank Loans    15,745    40,142    25,012    58.9%    (37.7)% 
 
Total Loans    7,136,954    7,731,104    8,205,924    15.0%    6.1% 
 
1 Mortgage loans financed by mortgage bonds. 
2 Includes mortgage loans financed by the Bank’s general borrowings (Ch$1,011,201 million) and factoring contracts (Ch$310,479 million) at December 31, 2005. 


During 4Q05 loan growth, net of interbank, peaked significantly by 6.4%, fueled by both the whole sale and retail segments, allowing for a 47 basis points increase in market share. The positive performance of the retail segment which increased by approximately 4.7% in 4Q05 was principally attributable to higher installments credits, credit card loans and residential mortgage loans finance by the Bank’s general borrowings. As previously indicated, installments consumer and credit card loans were supported by aggressive promotional campaigns launched during the last period of 2005, which in fact implied a rise of about 12,000 clients with these loans. In addition, the market share of consumer loans increased from 15.67% in September 2005 to 15.91% in December 2005. Lending growth from the whole sale segment, in terms of volume, was principally driven by commercial, contingent and factoring loans.


Page 10 of 17

2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results



 
Past Due Loans
 
(in millions of Chilean pesos)  
Dec-04 
 
Sep-05 
  Dec-05   
% Change 
12-months 
 
% Change 
4Q05/3Q05 
         
 
Commercial loans    70,849    59,670    53,616    (24.3)%    (10.1)% 
Consumer loans    3,826    3,610    3,870    1.2%    7.2% 
Residential mortgage loans    13,059    13,587    13,863    6.2%    2.0% 
 
Total Past Due Loans    87,734    76,867    71,349    (18.7)%    (7.2)% 
 

Past-due loans dropped to Ch$71,349 million as of December 2005, an 18.7% and a 7.2% annual and quarterly contraction, respectively, mainly concentrated in commercial loans. The quarterly decrease in past-due loans, was largely a consequence of a loan charge-off related to the construction sector and to the payment of a credit of the agriculture sector.

Despite the quarterly 7.2% increase in past-due consumer loans, they represented 0.4% of total consumer loans in December 2005, figure that compares favorably relative to the 0.5% for the prior year and remained stable compared to the same ratio at September 2005.

Lower past-due loans during 2005 responded not only to the improved quality of the loan portfolio and the positive financial situation of the clients which resulted in several payments to these loans, but also to the effective collection procedures carried by the Bank. As a consequence, the contraction in past-due loans implied an improvement in the past-due to total loan ratio, to 0.87% in December 2005 down from 0.99% in September 2005 or 1.23% in December 2004.


FUNDING 

 
Funding
 
(in millions of Chilean pesos)
 
Dec-04 
 
Se p-05 
 
Dec-05 
 
% Change 
 
% Change 
       
12-months 
 
4Q05/3Q05 
 
Non-interest Bearing Liabilities                     
Current Accounts    1,475,853    1,443,325    1,516,219    2.7%    5.1% 
Bankers drafts and other deposits    722,980    672,259    484,516    (33.0)%    (27.9)% 
Other Liabilities    856,152    1,009,632    1,059,620    23.8%    5.0% 
    Total 
  3,054,985    3,125,216    3,060,355    0.2%    (2.1)% 
Interest Be aring Liabilities                   
Savings & Time Deposits    3,795,575    4,260,385    4,613,253    21.5%    8.3% 
Central Bank Borrowings    113,517    1,557    1,407    (98.8)%    (9.6)% 
Repurchase agreements    361,653    244,628    270,750    (25.1)%    10.7% 
Mortgage Finance Bonds    817,288    598,383    556,504    (31.9)%    (7.0)% 
Subordinated Bonds    275,891    308,293    305,284    10.7%    (1.0)% 
Other Bonds    188,050    321,998    324,704    72.7%    0.8% 
Borrowings from Domestic Financ. Inst.    27,349    150,566    90,160    229.7%    (40.1)% 
Foreign Borrowings    616,988    630,414    661,493    7.2%    4.9% 
Other Obligations    46,461    50,582    33,743    (27.4)%    (33.3)% 
    Total 
  6,242,772    6,566,806    6,857,298    9.8%    4.4% 
 
Total Liabilities    9,297,757    9,692,022    9,917,653    6.7%    2.3% 
 

Total liabilities increased by 6.7% during the last twelve months ending December 31, 2005 largely as a result of the 9.8% increase in interest bearing liabilities while non- interest bearing liabilities remained almost stable.

The 9.8% annual increase in interest bearing liabilities was principally explained by a 22.7% growth in time deposits, and, to a lesser extent, to an increase in long- term liabilities such as bonds (other bonds and subordinated bonds), and syndicated loan accounted for as foreign borrowing as a result of the Bank’s strategy of expanding the duration of its liabilities in response to the more attractive interest rates that prevailed during the first nine months of 2005. These increases more than offset the drop in mortgage finance bonds (as a consequence of the 21% decrease in mortgage loans) and in repurchase agreements.

The slight 0.2% annual increase in non-interest bearing liabilities was mainly driven by the 23.8% growth in other liabilities, as a consequence of higher balances in contingent obligations consistent to contingent loan expansion during the year, which together with the 2.7% growth in current account balances totally offset the drop


Page 11 of 17

2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

in bankers’ drafts. It is worth mentioning that both bankers draft and current account balances had been negatively impacted by a 225 basis points increase in the short-term reference interest rate for monetary policy during the last twelve-months, as such increase made other investments such as time deposits more attractive. However, this effect was lessened by the Bank’s success in increasing the number of checking accounts by 7.2% during 2005.

During 4Q05 total liabilities rose by 2.3% mainly due to an expansion in time deposits, current accounts, other liabilities, foreign borrowings and repurchase agreements, thus compensating the quarterly decrease in bankers drafts and other deposits as the new Combac affiliate, which operates a high value payment clearing system, began to operate in December 2005. The current on-line electronic clearance payment service implied both a decrease in bankers’ drafts balances and on the asset side a decrease in the cash item in process of collection.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO 

As of December 2005, the Bank’s investment portfolio totaled Ch$1,450,009 million, a 12.9% decrease compared to December 2004 mainly driven by a reduction in short term Central Bank securities. This decrease was partially offset by higher investments in foreign countries mainly in American term Fed Funds, which in turn explained the investment portfolio growth of 9.5% during the 4Q05. As has been reported in previous releases, the Bank’s bonds issuance during this year implied the substitution of short-term liabilities for long-term liabilities, thus improving liquidity which has allowed the Bank to reduce its lower yielding central bank short-term investments.

In terms of composition, during the year 2005 the Bank had reduced the duration of its investment portfolio, anticipating the expected increases in interest rates.

As of December 31, 2005, the investment portfolio was comprised principally of:


SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

As of December 31, 2005, the Bank’s Shareholder Equity totaled Ch$775,107 million (US$1,507 million), a 10.9% increase compared to 2004, as a consequence of a 14.3% increase in net income during the last twelve months and of the sale of the 2.5% of Banco de Chile’s shares, acquired in April 2004, as part of a repurchase program of common stocks, which implied an increase in the capital and reserves line of Ch$57,758 million in August 2, 2005.

The drop in accumulated adjustments for translation differences was mainly a consequence of the 8.1% annual decline in the exchange rate.

At the end of December 2005, on a consolidated basis, Total Capital to Risk-Adjusted Assets (BIS ratio) was 11.2%, and Basic Capital to Total Assets was 5.52%, both well above the minimum requirements applicable to Banco de Chile of 10% and 3%, respectively.

 
Shareholders' Equity
 
(in million of Chilean pesos)   Dec.04   
Sept.05 
  Dec.05   
% Change 
       
12-months 
 
Capital and reserves    539,211    596,717    596,254    10.6% 
Accumulated adjustment for translation differences 3    1,402    (576)   (1,875)   (233.7)% 
Unrealized gain (loss) on permanent financial invest. 4    81    27      (95.1)% 
Net Income    158,123    143,098    180,724    14.3% 
 
Total Shareholders' equity    698,817    739,266    775,107    10.9% 
 
_____________________________________________________________________
  3
Represents the effect of the variation in the exchange rate on investments abroad that exceed the restatement of these investments according to the change in the consumer price index.
                 4
Financial investments traded on a secondary market are shown adjusted to market value, following specific instructions from the Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions. These instructions state that such adjustments should be recognized against income, except in the case of the permanent portfolio, when an equity account, “Unrealized gains (losses) on permanent financial investments”, may be directly charged or credited.


Page 12 of 17

2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


BANCO DE CHILE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Under Chilean GAAP)
(Expressed in millions of constant Chilean pesos (MCh$) as of December 31, 2005 and millions of US dollars (MUS$))

     
   
Q u a r t e r s 
 
% Change 
              % Change 
         
   
4Q04 
3Q05 
4Q05
 
4Q05 
 
4Q05-4Q04
4Q05-3Q05
 
Dec04 
Dec05
Dec05 
Dec 05-Dec 04 
   
MCh$ 
MCh$ 
MCh$  
 
MUS $
     
MCh$ 
MCh$  
MUS $
     
 
Interest revenue and expense                                         
       Interest revenue    131,608    174,435    203,156    395.1    54.4 %    16.5 %    562,933    680,149    1,322.7    20.8 % 
       Interest expense    (59,650)   (87,839)   (99,178)   (192.9)   66.3 %    12.9 %    (222,636)   (310,351)   (603.5)   39.4 % 
         Net interest revenue    71,958    86,596    103,978    202.2    44.5 %    20.1 %    340,297    369,798    719.2    8.7 % 
         
 
Income from services, net                                     
       Income from fees and other services    47,281    49,001    53,831    104.7    13.9 %    9.9 %    172,705    187,607    364.8    8.6 % 
       Other services expenses    (10,884)   (13,316)   (15,702)   (30.5)   44.3 %    17.9 %    (41,297)   (49,814)   (96.9)   20.6 % 
         Income from services, net    36,397    35,685    38,129    74.2    4.8 %    6.8 %    131,408    137,793    267.9    4.9 % 
         
 
Other operating income, net                                     
       Gains on financial instruments, net    (7,628)   1,251    (3,907)   (7.6)   (48.8) %    n/a    (3,264)   3,289    6.4    n/a 
       Foreign exchange transactions, net    25,000    10,974    1,727    3.4    (93.1) %    (84.3) %    18,296    7,571    14.7    (58.6) % 
         Total other operating income, net    17,372    12,225    (2,180)   (4.2)   n/a    n/a    15,032    10,860    21.1    (27.8) % 
         
 
Operating Revenues    125,727    134,506    139,927    272.2    11.3 %    4.0 %    486,737    518,451    1,008.2    6.5 % 
 
Provision for loan losses    (21,668)   (12,668)   (18,094)   (35.2)   (16.5) %    42.8 %    (76,158)   (55,014)   (107.0)   (27.8) % 
 
Other income and expenses                                     
       Recovery of loans previously charged-off    7,421    8,005    7,958    15.5    7.2 %    (0.6) %    34,950    32,986    64.1    (5.6) % 
       Non-operating income    1,475    1,992    2,607    5.0    76.7 %    30.9 %    4,995    7,859    15.3    57.3 % 
       Non-operating expenses    (3,078)   (3,236)   (6,263)   (12.2)   103.5 %    93.5 %    (16,484)   (14,934)   (29.0)   (9.4) % 
       Participation in earnings of equity investments    (106)   72    188    0.4    n/a    161.1 %    452    681    1.3    50.7 % 
         Total other income and expenses    5,712    6,833    4,490    8.7    (21.4) %    (34.3) %    23,913    26,592    51.7    11.2 % 
         
 
Operating expenses                                     
       Personnel salaries and expenses    (41,354)   (36,287)   (41,184)   (80.1)   (0.4) %    13.5 %    (140,918)   (150,616)   (292.9)   6.9 % 
       Administrative and other expenses    (26,930)   (29,550)   (30,887)   (60.1)   14.7 %    4.5 %    (92,153)   (108,926)   (211.8)   18.2 % 
       Depreciation and amortization    (4,304)   (4,432)   (4,226)   (8.2)   (1.8) %    (4.6) %    (16,552)   (16,922)   (32.9)   2.2 % 
         Total operating expenses    (72,588)   (70,269)   (76,297)   (148.4)   5.1 %    8.6 %    (249,623)   (276,464)   (537.6)   10.8 % 
         
 
Loss from price-level restatement    (1,962)   (4,836)   (4,645)   (9.0)   136.7 %    (3.9) %    (7,735)   (11,450)   (22.3)   48.0 % 
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries    0    0    0    0.0    n/a    n/a    (1)   0    0.0    n/a 
 
         Income before income taxes    35,221    53,566    45,381    88.3    28.8 %    (15.3) %    177,133    202,115    393.0    14.1 % 
 
Income taxes    (3,136)   (4,682)   (6,058)   (11.8)   93.2 %    29.4 %    (19,010)   (21,391)   (41.6)   12.5 % 
     
Net income    32,085    48,884    39,323    76.5    22.6 %    (19.6) %    158,123    180,724    351.4    14.3 % 
     

The results have been prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP on an unaudited, consolidated basis. All figures are expressed in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2005, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, all growth rates are in real terms. All figures expressed in US dollars (except earnings per ADR) were converted using the exchange rate of Ch$514.21 for US$1.00 as of December 31, 2005. Earnings per ADR were calculated considering the nominal net income and, the exchange rate and the number of shares existing at the end of each period.


Page 13 of 17

2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


BANCO DE CHILE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Under Chilean GAAP)
(Expressed in millions of constant Chilean pesos (MCh$) as of December 31, 2005 and millions of US dollars (MUS$))

 
     
ASSETS   
Dec 03
MCh$ 
Dec 04
MCh$ 
Sep 05
MCh$ 
Dec 05 
MCh$ 
Dec 05
MUS$ 
 
% Change 
 
 
 
Dec 05- Sep 05
 
Dec 05-Dec 04 
     
Cash and due from banks                             
           Noninterest bearing    683,946    559,064    897,755    638,604    1,241.9    (28.9% )   14.2% 
           Interbank bearing    225,926    363,614    87,227    20,704    40.3    (76.3% )   (94.3% )
                     Total cash and due from banks    909,872    922,678    984,982    659,308    1,282.2    (33.1%)   (28.5%)
     
 
Financial investments                           
           Government securities    1,072,783    946,548    585,455    611,538    1,189.3    4.5%    (35.4% )
           Investments purchase under agreements to resell    31,496    27,257    50,937    46,695    90.8    (8.3% )   71.3% 
           Investment collateral under agreements to repurchase    443,803    359,681    246,003    244,220    474.9    (0.7% )   (32.1% )
           Other investments    486,862    331,650    442,238    547,556    1,064.8    23.8%    65.1% 
                     Total financial investments    2,034,944    1,665,136    1,324,633    1,450,009    2,819.8    9.5%    (12.9%)
     
 
Loans, Net                           
           Commercial loans    2,805,673    2,970,510    3,234,368    3,510,902    6,827.8    8.5%    18.2% 
           Consumer loans    625,125    716,758    803,538    864,144    1,680.5    7.5%    20.6% 
           Mortgage loans    1,197,855    849,398    696,640    670,347    1,303.6    (3.8% )   (21.1% )
           Foreign trade loans    699,028    620,617    631,521    550,770    1,071.1    (12.8% )   (11.3% )
           Interbank loans    14,042    15,745    40,142    25,012    48.6    (37.7% )   58.9% 
           Lease contracts    285,604    356,232    425,543    454,805    884.5    6.9%    27.7% 
           Other outstanding loans    468,291    969,947    1,202,581    1,335,021    2,596.3    11.0%    37.6% 
           Past due loans    112,034    87,734    76,867    71,349    138.8    (7.2% )   (18.7% )
           Contingent loans    434,967    550,013    619,904    723,574    1,407.2    16.7%    31.6% 
                     Total loans    6,642,619    7,136,954    7,731,104    8,205,924    15,958.4    6.1%    15.0% 
           Allowances    (190,559)   (159,318)   (139,247)   (141,305)   (274.8)   1.5%    (11.3% )
                     Total loans, net    6,452,060    6,977,636    7,591,857    8,064,619    15,683.6    6.2%    15.6% 
     
 
Other assets                           
           Assets received in lieu of payment    16,594    16,711    13,317    10,450    20.3    (21.5% )   (37.5% )
           Bank premises and equipment    135,663    137,446    139,805    142,450    277.0    1.9%    3.6% 
           Investments in other companies    5,624    5,607    7,217    7,160    13.9    (0.8% )   27.7% 
           Other    267,717    271,361    369,478    358,765    697.6    (2.9% )   32.2% 
                     Total other assets    425,598    431,125    529,817    518,825    1,008.8    (2.1%)   20.3% 
     
Total assets    9,822,474    9,996,575    10,431,289    10,692,761    20,794.4    2.5%    7.0% 
     


Page 14 of 17

2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


BANCO DE CHILE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Under Chilean GAAP)
(Expressed in millions of constant Chilean pesos (MCh$) as of December 31, 2005 and millions of US dollars (MUS$))

     
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   
Dec 03
MCh$ 
Dec 04
MCh$ 
Sep 05 
MCh$ 
Dec 05 
MCh$ 
Dec 05 
MUS$ 
 
% C h a n g e 
 
 
  Dec 05- Sep 05   Dec 05-Dec 04 
     
 
Deposits                             
           Current accounts    1,303,883    1,475,853    1,443,325    1,516,219    2,948.6    5.1%    2.7% 
           Bankers drafts and other deposits    704,990    722,980    672,259    484,516    942.3    (27.9% )   (33.0% )
           Saving accounts and time deposits    3,634,390    3,795,575    4,260,385    4,613,253    8,971.5    8.3%    21.5% 
               Total deposits    5,643,263    5,994,408    6,375,969    6,613,988    12,862.4    3.7%    10.3% 
     
 
Borrowings                           
           Central Bank borrowings    29,607    113,517    1,557    1,407    2.7    (9.6% )   (98.8% )
           Securities sold under agreements to repurchase    453,156    361,653    244,628    270,750    526.5    10.7%    (25.1% )
           Mortgage finance bonds    1,077,247    817,288    598,383    556,504    1,082.3    (7.0% )   (31.9% )
           Other bonds    3,321    188,050    321,998    324,704    631.5    0.8%    72.7% 
           Subordinated bonds    287,984    275,891    308,293    305,284    593.7    (1.0% )   10.7% 
           Borrowings from domestic financial institutions    52,970    27,349    150,566    90,160    175.3    (40.1% )   229.7% 
           Foreign borrowings    762,411    616,988    630,414    661,493    1,286.4    4.9%    7.2% 
           Other obligations    63,289    46,461    50,582    33,743    65.6    (33.3% )   (27.4% )
               Total borrowings    2,729,985    2,447,197    2,306,421    2,244,045    4,364.0    (2.7%)   (8.3%)
     
 
Other liabilities                           
           Contingent liabilities    434,995    551,330    619,940    723,907    1,407.8    16.8%    31.3% 
           Other    275,488    304,822    389,692    335,713    652.8    (13.9% )   10.1% 
               Total other liabilities    710,483    856,152    1,009,632    1,059,620    2,060.6    5.0%    23.8% 
     
 
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries    5    1    1    1    0.0    0.0%    0.0% 
     
 
S hareholders' equity                           
           Capital and Reserves    600,104    540,694    596,168    594,383    1,155.9    (0.3% )   9.9% 
           Net income for the year    138,634    158,123    143,098    180,724    351.5    26.3%    14.3% 
               Total shareholders' equity    738,738    698,817    739,266    775,107    1,507.4    4.8%    10.9% 
     
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity    9,822,474    9,996,575    10,431,289    10,692,761    20,794.4    2.5%    7.0% 
     


Page 15 of 17

2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


BANCO DE CHILE
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

     
   
Quarters 
 
Year  ended 
     
    4Q04    3Q05    4Q05    Dec 04    Dec 05 
     
Earnings per S hare                     
           Net income per Share (Ch$) (1)   0.48    0.72    0.58    2.38    2.65 
           Net income per ADS (Ch$) (1)   290.02    430.82    346.56    1,429.30    1,592.75 
           Net income per ADS (US$) (2)   0.52    0.81    0.67    2.55    3.10 
           Book value per Share (Ch$) (1)   10.53    10.86    11.39    10.53    11.39 
           Shares outstanding (Millions)   66,378    68,080    68,080    66,378    68,080 
     
Profitability Ratios (3)(4)                    
           Net Interest Margin    3.18%    3.75%    4.61%    3.84%    4.10% 
           Net Financial Margin    4.28%    4.23%    4.69%    4.04%    4.18% 
           Fees / Avg. Interest Earnings Assets    1.61%    1.55%    1.69%    1.48%    1.53% 
           Other Operating Revenues / Avg. Interest Earnings Assets    0.77%    0.53%    -0.10%    0.17%    0.12% 
           Operating Revenues / Avg. Interest Earnings Assets    5.55%    5.83%    6.20%    5.49%    5.75% 
           Return on Average Total Assets    1.26%    1.86%    1.52%    1.59%    1.77% 
           Return on Average Shareholders' Equity    18.65%    28.16%    20.57%    23.56%    26.66% 
     
Capital Ratios                     
           Shareholders Equity / Total Assets    6.99%    7.09%    7.25%    6.99%    7.25% 
           Basic capital / total assets    5.37%    5.68%    5.52%    5.37%    5.52% 
           Basic Capital / Risk-Adjusted Assets    7.81%    7.98%    7.49%    7.81%    7.49% 
           Total Capital / Risk-Adjusted Assets    11.67%    11.97%    11.23%    11.67%    11.23% 
     
Credit Quality Ratios                     
           Past Due Loans / Total Loans    1.23%    0.99%    0.87%    1.23%    0.87% 
           Allowance for loan losses / past due loans    181.59%    181.15%    198.05%    181.59%    198.05% 
           Allowance for Loans Losses / Total Loans    2.23%    1.80%    1.72%    2.23%    1.72% 
           Provision for Loan Losses / Avg.Loans (4)   1.21%    0.66%    0.92%    1.11%    0.73% 
     
Operating and Productivity Ratios                     
           Operating Expenses / Operating Revenue    57.73%    52.24%    54.53%    51.28%    53.33% 
           Operating Expenses / Average Total Assets (3)   2.86%    2.67%    2.96%    2.51%    2.71% 
           Loans per employee (million Ch$) (1)   762    781    808    762    808 
     
 
Average Balance S heet Data (1)(3)                    
           Avg. Interest Earnings Assets (million Ch$)   9,054,656    9,225,821    9,022,281    8,868,926    9,023,643 
           Avg. Assets (million Ch$)   10,149,947    10,531,275    10,324,646    9,946,871    10,218,650 
           Avg. Shareholders Equity (million Ch$)   688,226    694,350    764,661    671,250    677,778 
           Avg. Loans    7,169,349    7,666,522    7,902,409    6,868,480    7,504,483 
           Avg. Interest Bearing Liabilities (million Ch$)   6,266,272    6,630,236    6,631,683    6,307,091    6,444,795 
     
Other Data                     
           Inflation Rate    0.17%    1.91%    -0.09%    2.43%    3.66% 
           Exchange rate (Ch$)   559.83    533.69    514.21    559.83    514.21 
           Employees    9,365    9,896    10,157    9,365    10,157 
     
Notes                     
(1) These figures w ere ex pressed in constant C hilean pesos as of December 31, 2005. 
(2) These figures w ere calculated considering the nominal net income, the shares outstanding and the ex change rates ex isting at the end of each period. 
(3) The ratios w ere calculated as an av erage of daily balances. 
(4) Annualized data. 


Page 16 of 17

2005 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results


CONTACTS:    Jacqueline Barrio 
    (56-2) 653 2938 
    jbarrio@bancochile.cl 
 
 
    Rolando Arias 
    (56-2) 653 3535 
    rarias@bancochile.cl 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The information contained herein incorporates by reference statements which constitute ‘‘forward-looking statements,’’ in that they include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our directors and officers with respect to our future operating performance. Such statements include any forecasts, projections and descriptions of anticipated cost savings or other synergies. You should be aware that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and may involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors (including, without limitations, the actions of competitors, future global economic conditions, market conditions, foreign exchange rates, and operating and financial risks related to managing growth and integrating acquired businesses), 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:

You should not place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. Our independent public accountants have not examined or compiled the forward-looking statements and, accordingly, do not provide any assurance with respect to such statements. These cautionary statements 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 completion of this offering to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


Page 17 of 17


 
SIGNATURE
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: February 2, 2006

 
Banco de Chile
/S/  Julio Guzmán H.
 
By: Julio Guzmán Herrera
Acting Chief Executive Officer