Chile bank Santander says to lend $2 bln in 2009

SANTIAGO, April 28 (Reuters) - Banco Santander Chile STG.SN, Chile's No. 1 private bank, said on Tuesday it would lend out around $2 billion in personal credit, focused mainly on mortgages, despite the global financial crisis.

Santander Chile, a unit of Spain's Santander (SAN.MC), added in a statement issued after a shareholder meeting it was maintaining its plan to invest $76 million in 2009.

"Banco Santander forecasts extending around $2 billion in personal credit, with emphasis on mortgages," the statement said. (Reporting by Monica Vargas; Editing Bernard Orr)