Banking
Chile — Banking: Best Banks
Main banks for newcomers are BancoEstado, Santander Chile and Scotiabank Chile; most banks will not open accounts for expats without around two years of residence.
VerifiedProfessional tax guide — not a government sourceWise – Opening a bank account in Chile (commercial source)Last reviewed: 2026-10-26
Key facts
- BancoEstado has 365 branches (per the source) and offers cuenta vista, RUT and current accounts, some with no annual maintenance fee.
- Santander Chile is the largest by deposits with over 504 branches (per the source) and offers current and savings accounts.
- Scotiabank Chile is the seventh largest bank and a Global ATM Alliance member.
- BBVA Chile and Rabobank Chile are international banks with a presence in Chile.
- Private banks such as Santander and BBVA generally charge ATM fees unless you use a partner bank.