Multilayer ceramic electronic component and method for making the same

A method for making a multilayer ceramic electronic component, the method comprising:

• a step of preparing a ceramic body having a first main surface and a second main surface and a plurality of side surfaces connecting the first main surface to the second main surface, the ceramic body including a plurality of ceramic layers stacked on one another and an internal conductor including nickel and having an exposed portion exposed at least one of the side surfaces of the ceramic body;
• a step of forming a tin-containing layer on at least one of the side surfaces of the ceramic body so that the tin-containing layer covers the exposed portion of the internal conductor;
• a step of forming a copper-containing layer on the tin-containing layer;
• and
• a step of performing heat treatment on the ceramic body having the tin-containing layer and the copper-containing layer formed thereon so that a Sn—Cu—Ni intermetallic compound layer is formed between the internal conductor and the copper-containing layer.