Chile Offering

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA
28 November 2006



Comunicado de Prensa


 SANTANDER GROUP ANNOUNCES THAT IT INTENDS TO SELL 7.23 % OF SANTANDER-CHILE'S
                                  COMMON STOCK



New York, November 27, 2006 - The Santander Group has announced its intention to
offer up to 7.23% of Banco Santander-Chile's common stock through a public
offering registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United
States of America.

Banco Santander-Chile is Chile's largest bank, in terms of total loans and total
deposits, and is a key element in the Santander Group's strategy in Latin
America. The Santander Group's current policy is to maintain ownership of at
least 75% of Banco Santander-Chile's common stock as part of its long term
investment policy in Latin America.


This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities described herein
in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is
prohibited.


The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent
registration or an exemption from registration under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Act'), or in any other jurisdiction
where such sale is prohibited. Any public offering of the securities in the
United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from
Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. or from Banco Santander-Chile, which will
contain detailed information about Banco Santander-Chile and its management, as
well as its financial statements. Banco Santander-Chile intends to register
these securities in the United States under the Act.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange