El Mercurio

Chile Consumer Debt Registry Almost Doubles, Mercurio Reports

Chile’s consumer debt registry almost doubled in the past year as 975,000 people fell behind on loan and credit repayments, the newspaper El Mercurio reported today, citing data provided by banking association Sinacofi.

Larrain Vial Fund Buys Chilean Insurer Colmena, El Mercurio Says

A private investment fund led by Chilean broker and asset manager Larrain Vial SA agreed to pay about $500 million for all of local health insurer and medical services company Colmena Golden Cross SA, El Mercurio said.

Banco de Chile Lending May Grow 45%, Chairman Tells El Mercurio

Banco de Chile, which last week announced plans to sell $500 million in new shares, may expand its lending by 45 percent in the next three years, Chairman Pablo Granifo told El Mercurio.

Chile May Revise Growth Outlook, De Gregorio Tells El Mercurio

Chilean central bank President Jose De Gregorio said policy makers may need to revise the nation’s 2012 growth estimate because of Europe’s debt crisis, El Mercurio reported today on its website.

Banco de Chile Holder May Prepay Debt, El Mercurio Reports

SM-Chile SA , the holding company for Chile’s second-largest lender, may prepay by 17 years its subordinated debt with the central bank, El Mercurio reported.

Codelco May Resume Talks With Anglo, Chairman Tells El Mercurio

Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, is open to resuming talks with Anglo American Plc over an option to buy a 49 percent stake in Anglo’s Sur unit in Chile, Codelco Chairman Gerardo Jofre told El Mercurio.

Chile Approves Copec’s Coal Project in Isla Riesco, El Mercurio Reports

Chile’s government approved the first phase of coal mining project in Isla Riesco, newspaper El Mercurio reported on its online edition, citing Environment Minister, Maria Ignacia Benitez.

Codelco May Not Match 2011 Output This Year, El Mercurio Says

Chilean state-owned copper producer Codelco will struggle to match last year’s record output in 2012, El Mercurio said, citing Chief Executive Officer Diego Hernandez.

Chilean Students to Stage Protests Sept. 8, El Mercurio Reports

Chilean students reversed an earlier decision and will go ahead with nationwide demonstrations on Sept. 8 to push for improvements to the education system, El Mercurio reported, citing protest leader Camila Vallejo.

Santander Equity Analyst Moreno Joins Celfin, El Mercurio Says

Cristian Moreno, head of Latin American equity research at Banco Santander SA in New York, will join Chilean brokerage Celfin Capital SA, El Mercurio reported.

Joshua Goodman

Airbus Said Close to Order for 25 Planes From Kuwait Airways

Europe Seeks Fiscal Realism as Slump Prompts Pressure From U.S.

Gold Bears Pull $20.8 Billion as BlackRock Says Buy: Commodities

‘Iron Man 3’ Tops Movie Sales Again With $72.5 Million

Gates Backs Obama Administration Handling of Benghazi