The Corte de Apelaciones de Concepción ordered Banco Itaú and Bomberos de Chile to return 107 million pesos of an inherited estate to the children of Anselmo Briones and Alicia Pérez, according to a ruling issued in the Bío Bío region. The judicial decision resolves a multi-year effort by the heirs to access funds from a bank account left behind by their deceased parents after the financial institution transferred the money to the firefighting institution due to banking inactivity.
Legal Battle Over a Frozen Bank Account
The dispute began when Banco Itaú denied the heirs of Anselmo Briones and Alicia Pérez information regarding a current account belonging to the couple after they passed away. Between 2021 and 2025, the children pursued multiple administrative steps to withdraw the funds without receiving any response from the bank, according to court records. It was not until May of this year, following an initial legal action, that Banco Itaú formally acknowledged the existence of the account containing 107 million pesos. The bank defended its actions by stating that it handed the money over to Bomberos under legal regulations governing accounts inactive for two years.
Court Ruling and Financial Institution Response
In its sentence, the Corte de Apelaciones penquista determined that the conduct of Banco Itaú was illegal. The tribunal ordered that the financial institution coordinate with the Junta Nacional de Bomberos to ensure the full 107 million pesos reach the rightful heirs. However, the legal battle is not yet over. The financial institution has already appealed the resolution, meaning the Corte Suprema will now review the case and deliver a definitive final verdict.
Did You Know? Under Chilean banking regulations cited during the proceedings, financial institutions are permitted to transfer funds from accounts exhibiting two years of inactivity to Bomberos de Chile, a mechanism that triggered the legal conflict when heirs attempted to claim their parents’ estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who ordered Banco Itaú and Bomberos de Chile to return the money?
The Corte de Apelaciones de Concepción ordered the return of the funds, according to the official judicial ruling from the Bío Bío region.
Why did Banco Itaú transfer the inheritance to Bomberos?
The bank stated it transferred the 107 million pesos to Bomberos in compliance with the law regarding accounts that experience two years of banking inactivity.
What is the current legal status of the case?
Banco Itaú has appealed the appellate court’s resolution, and the Corte Suprema will now issue the definitive ruling on the matter.
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