Santiago Benítez

Attorney - Director

PRACTICE

His practice focuses on corporate, financial and regulatory matters, with particular emphasis on complex financing transactions, syndicated loan structures and preferred equity financings, as well as advising the payments industry, technology companies, fintechs and global players. He has led significant transactions and strategic regulatory processes involving structured finance, receivables assignments, digital payments models and regulatory analysis within the financial sector.

Relevant Transactions: (i) Structuring of a preferred capital financing for Kavak through warrants, implemented via the creation of the Activa Movilidad Private Investment Fund, managed by Larraín Vial Activos S.A. Administradora General de Fondos (2023); (ii) Advising Ascenty Chile SpA in the execution of a syndicated credit facility with Natixis, MUFG and The Bank of Nova Scotia (2023). Participation in the amendment of the syndicated facility to increase its amount (2025); (iii) Advising Olive House Films in connection with a credit agreement granted by Ashland Hill to finance the production and post-production of the film Olive House, produced by Fábula (2023); (iv) Advising Sucden Chile SpA in connection with the granting of a credit line by Rabobank (2023); (v) Advising on the structuring of a financing for Dlocal Chile SpA through the assignment of receivables to the Activa Pagos Digitales Investment Fund, managed by Larraín Vial Activos S.A. Administradora General de Fondos (2023); (vi) Advising Mizuho Bank in the granting of a credit facility to Marubeni Holding Ltda (2024); (vii) Legal advice to Fudo in the negotiation of a credit line with Banco BICE to support a merchant cash advance model for merchants (2025); (viii) Advising multiple payment service providers (PSPs) in their registration before the Chilean Financial Market Commission (CMF) as Sub-Acquiring Operators (2025).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Recognized by Best Lawyers 2025 and 2026 in Banking and Finance Law.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Between 2016 and 2020, he worked at Barros & Errázuriz Abogados as part of the Capital Markets Group, advising on corporate and corporate governance matters, structured finance transactions, capital markets operations, and investment funds and fund managers. He also completed a secondment at LarrainVial Asset Management Administradora General de Fondos, supporting the structuring and operation of investment funds.

Between 2021 and 2022, he worked at Deloitte Legal, focusing on corporate matters and mergers and acquisitions.

Joined Magliona Abogados in September 2022.

EDUCATION

Law, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Social Sciences, approved with double distinction (2015).
Diploma in Fintech Regulation and Contracting, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2024).

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2012-2014).

LANGUAGES

Spanish and English.