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Investment climate

Financial Services

Chile is home to a modern banking and financial system. Leading financial institutions include Pension Funds Administrators (known as AFPs), insurance companies, leasing firms, securities exchanges and foreign capital funds. Stock Exchanges Go On-line

Most of these institutions are private, and many are foreign. Complete freedom is granted for new companies to enter the financial market, except in banking. The industry is particularly attractive to foreign investors. In addition, a variety of Chilean institutions are now active in international markets through direct investments and consulting services.

Chile is home to three bourses. The Santiago Stock Exchange, established in 1893, handles the largest volume of transactions, followed by Chile's Electronic Exchange, launched in 1989. In 1988, the smallest of the three, the Valparaíso Stock Exchange reopened its doors for business.

For the past four years, the Santiago Stock Exchange has been connected on-line with its peers in Sao Paulo (Brazil), Mexico City (Mexico) and Buenos Aires (Argentina). Today, Chile exports its expertise. Via satellite, Santiago-based professionals administer a branch of Chile's Electronic Exchange in Costa Rica and supervise transactions on the Uruguay's Electronic Exchange.