Banco del Estadode Chile on May 5 placed two series of five-year bonds worth a totalof 5 million UF, or about $200 million, marking its first bond issuance of the year.

Funds from the bonds, which carry an annual rate of 2.14%, willbe used to finance long-term commercial development at the bank, BancoEstado saidin a statement.

BancoEstado Corredores de Bolsa wasthe placing agent for the issuances, which were sold on the Bolsa de Comerico deSantiago through a Dutch auction.