Early Life
Luis Enrique Yarur Rey was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1950. He is part of a family with a strong heritage in Chilean banking. The Yarur family has a long history in the banking industry, with Luis Enrique's great-uncle founding Banco de Crédito e Inversiones (BCI) in 1937. He earned a law degree from the University of Navarra in Spain, and later completed a Master of Business Administration from IESE Business School, also in Spain.
Rise to Success
Yarur Rey joined BCI in 1975, leveraging his education and family connections to begin his career in banking. He rose through the ranks, becoming the bank's CEO in 1980, and served in that role for eleven years. In 1991, he became the Chairman of BCI, a position he held for more than three decades until 2024. Under his leadership, BCI expanded significantly, growing from a regional institution to a major player in Chilean and international finance. BCI acquired City National Bank of Florida in 2015 for $947 million, marking the first time a Chilean bank purchased a U.S. financial institution.
Key Business Strategies
Key business strategies included international expansion and technological innovation. Yarur Rey focused on expanding BCI's presence in international markets, particularly the United States and Peru. He also championed the adoption of new technologies, enhancing online financial services and contributing to the modernization of the Chilean banking sector. BCI's focus on supporting small and medium enterprises has been a constant throughout its history.
Philanthropy
Luis Enrique Yarur Rey's family is involved in the Fundación YA, which supports initiatives to create opportunities for people. The family was also recognized by the Asociación de Empresas Familiares (AEF) for its philanthropic work.