Popular, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Popular, Inc. (the “Corporation,” “Popular,” “we,” “us,” “our”) (NASDAQ:BPOP) reported net income of $34.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to net income of $166.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.

Ignacio Alvarez, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The COVID-19 global pandemic has exposed the fragility of our economic and social systems and the need for greater collaboration between all sectors. I am hopeful that it will also reveal what we can accomplish when we come together in pursuit of a common goal. At Popular, the well-being of our customers, employees and communities is our priority. We have acted decisively to help our employees stay safe while we continue to offer essential banking services to our customers and communities. We have submitted more than $1.2 billion in loans, representing more than 15,000 small and medium size businesses, under the SBA’s Payroll Protection Program. To date, we have received confirmation of SBA approval of $819 million of those submissions. We have also pledged more than $1 million dollars in support of COVID-19 emergency relief to non-profit organizations and health providers. I am deeply grateful to our colleagues for the efforts, commitment, and bravery exhibited under very difficult circumstances.

Our net income for the quarter was significantly lower than the fourth quarter of 2019 and the same period last year. The primary driver of this decrease was a large increase in our provision expense, reflecting the newly adopted CECL methodology and the most recent post-COVID macroeconomic forecast for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Our operating results for the first quarter were solid considering the extent of the economic deceleration experienced during the second half of March. Net interest income, net interest margin as well as our net charge off ratio improved compared to the fourth quarter. We ended the quarter with a CET1 capital ratio of 15.8%

During our 126 years, we have often operated in highly uncertain and volatile economic periods and have managed through them successfully. Almost three years ago we faced the impact of Hurricane Maria, which caused extensive damage and left Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands without power, water and telecommunications, in some cases for months. We responded decisively, adapted to change and delivered positive results even under difficult conditions. While each situation has unique challenges, we have the team, the experience and the financial resources to do so again.

Despite the uncertainty we are all facing as we fight this pandemic, we are confident that, with our strong liquidity position and capital levels, we are well prepared to successfully manage through the current challenges.”

Significant events

Impact of the adoption of the current expected credit loss model (“CECL”)

The Corporation adopted the new CECL accounting standard effective on January 1, 2020. As a result of the adoption of the CECL model, the Corporation recorded a net increase in its allowance for credit losses related to its loan portfolio, unfunded commitments and credit recourse guarantees amounting to $306 million. The Corporation also recognized an allowance for credit losses of approximately $13 million related to its held-to-maturity debt securities portfolio. The adjustments to reflect the increase in the allowance for credit losses was recorded as a decrease to the opening balance of retained earnings at January 1, 2020, net of deferred tax asset, except for approximately $17 million related to purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans previously accounted under ASC Subtopic 310-30, which resulted in a reclassification between certain contra loan balance accounts to the allowance for credit losses.

As part of the adoption of CECL, the Corporation made the election to break the existing pools of PCI loans, which were excluded from non-performing status, in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. Upon being measured at the individual loan level, these loans are no longer excluded from non-performing status, resulting in an increase of $278 million in NPLs as of January 1, 2020. This increase included $144 million in loans currently over 90 days past due and $134 million in loans that are not delinquent in their payment terms but that are reported as non-performing due to other credit quality considerations.

The Corporation will avail itself of the option to phase in over a period of three years, beginning on January 1, 2022, the day-one effects on regulatory capital arising from the adoption of CECL.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets, and increased unemployment levels. In Puerto Rico, in March 2020, the government declared a state of emergency as a result of the pandemic and has ordered a temporary closure of all businesses through at least early May, with the exception of certain businesses that provide essential services, including banking and financial institutions such as Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”). While banking and financial institutions are exempted from the closure order in Puerto Rico, that exemption is limited to basic banking services, therefore many activities, including mortgage loan and auto loan or lease originations have been suspended since March 16, 2020. Furthermore, the Puerto Rico government has mandated its citizens to remain sheltered in place and imposed a mandatory curfew, significantly limiting the activities that may be done in public. Most business establishments, including retailers and wholesalers, shopping centers and hotels are partially operating or remain closed, causing a significant disruption to the island’s economic activity. As a result of restrictions on non-essential business activities imposed on some of our third-party service providers in Puerto Rico, certain of the Corporation’s lines of business on the island, including mortgage originations, have been temporarily suspended and may remain suspended until at least May.

The government of the U.S.V.I. and state governments in the U.S. mainland, including New York, New Jersey and Florida, where Popular Bank (“Popular U.S.” or “PB”) has branches, have also declared states of emergency as a result of the pandemic, ordered the temporary closure of all non-essential businesses and its citizens to remain sheltered in place and observe social distancing, causing a similar significant economic disruption.

In response to the pandemic, the Corporation has taken measures to ensure the continuity of our operations and the safety of our employees and customers through this pandemic, while providing financial relief to customers through programs such as payment moratoriums, suspensions of foreclosures and other collection activity, as well as waivers of certain fees and service charges, including late-payment charges and ATM transaction fees.

The following is a summary of the main steps the Corporation has undertaken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The results for the first quarter of 2020 reflect the impact during the month of March 2020 of the business disruption and relief measures described above. The provision for credit losses for the loans and investments portfolios, which reflects the adoption of CECL, was $189.7 million, including $134 million in incremental reserves due to the expected economic impact of COVID-19. The Corporation’s revenue streams were impacted in the form of reduced consumer transaction activity, the waiver of certain late fees and service charges, including ATM transaction fees, as well as the suspension in mortgage origination and related securitization and loan sale activities. These revenue captions resulted in a decrease in income of approximately $6.8 million when compared to the previous quarter, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 disruptions, mainly over the last two weeks of March. Furthermore, the Corporation has incurred in additional expenses related to front-line employee bonuses, the enabling of remote access for employees to work from home, the expansion of employee benefits, as well as the impact of specific measures to prevent the spread of the disease and efforts related to customer relief programs, among other related expenses.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic further impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition (including our regulatory capital, liquidity ratios and realizability of deferred tax assets), as well as the operations of our clients, customers, service providers and suppliers, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response thereto. To the extent that the COVID-19 pandemic results in the continued closure of businesses and a reduction in economic activity, the Corporation will be further impacted in the form of reduced revenues, additional expenses and higher credit losses.

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

On January 30, 2020, the Corporation entered into an accelerated share repurchase transaction (“ASR”) of $500 million with respect to its common stock, which was accounted for as a treasury stock transaction. As a result of the receipt of the initial 7,055,919 shares under the ASR, the Corporation recognized in shareholders’ equity approximately $400 million in treasury stock and $100 million as a reduction of capital surplus. The ASR provided that the final number of shares delivered at settlement would be based on the average daily volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Corporation’s common stock, net of a discount, during the term of the ASR.

As a result of the recent decrease in the trading price of the Corporation’s common stock during the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 19, 2020, the dealer counterparty to the ASR exercised its right under the ASR Agreement to terminate the ASR as a result of the trading price of the Corporation’s common stock falling below a specified level, allowing the dealer counterparty to terminate the ASR. The agreement executed in connection with such termination (the “Termination Agreement”) provides for the acceleration of the final settlement of the ASR, which was originally expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2020.

Under the settlement resulting from the Termination Agreement, the Corporation will receive a further number of shares of common stock, equivalent to approximately $167 million. As of March 31, 2020, the Corporation had received 642,400 additional shares after the early termination of the ASR. In connection with such receipt, the Corporation recorded approximately $23 million as treasury stock and recognized that amount as an increase in capital surplus.

Goodwill impairment evaluation

Due to the effects of the current and projected interest rate environment and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the valuation of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, the Corporation deemed these factors as an interim triggering event and is currently in the process of evaluating its reporting units’ goodwill for impairment. The Corporation expects to complete its evaluation prior to the submission of its Form 10Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. An impairment of goodwill would result in a non-cash expense, net of tax impact. A charge to earnings related to a goodwill impairment would not impact regulatory capital calculations.

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis – Non-GAAP financial measure

Net interest income, on a taxable equivalent basis, is presented with its different components in Table D for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 as compared with previous quarters, segregated by major categories of interest earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Interest earning assets include investment securities and loans that are exempt from income tax, principally in Puerto Rico. The main sources of tax-exempt interest income are certain investments in obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and sponsored entities, and certain obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and/or its agencies and municipalities and assets held by the Corporation’s international banking entities. To facilitate the comparison of all interest related to these assets, the interest income has been converted to a taxable equivalent basis, using the applicable statutory income tax rates for each period. Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this presentation provides meaningful information since it facilitates the comparison of revenues arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.

Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation may not be comparable to similarly named Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

Net interest income

Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 was $473.1 million compared to $467.4 million in the previous quarter, an increase of $5.7 million despite the decrease in market rates during the first quarter of 2020, during which the federal funds rate was decreased to a 0-25 basis points range. Net interest income, on a taxable equivalent basis, for the first quarter of 2020 was $521.4 million, an increase of $8.1 million when compared to $513.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase of $2.4 million in the taxable equivalent adjustment quarter over quarter is directly related to a higher volume of tax-exempt investments in BPPR.

Net interest margin increased by 11 basis points to 3.94% in the first quarter of 2020, compared to 3.83% in the previous quarter. On a taxable equivalent basis, net interest margin was 4.34% compared to 4.20% in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 14 basis points. The main variances in net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis were:

• Higher interest income from loans by $3.6 million mainly driven by an increase in average volume of $324 million resulting from the acquisition of a $74 million credit card portfolio at the end of 2019, the growth of the auto and lease portfolio and commercial loans in BPPR and growth in construction loans and mortgage loans in PB; and
• lower interest expense on deposits by $14.7 million due to lower interest cost by 15 basis points resulting from the decrease in deposit rates mainly in P.R. Government deposits and PB deposits, and a lower average balance of $247 million.

Partially offset by:

• Lower income from money market, trading and investments by $10.6 million due to lower average volume by $721 million as a result of the increase in loan volume and the decrease in deposits, as mentioned above, and lower yield by 8 basis points.

BPPR’s net interest income amounted to $409.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to $402.9 million in the previous quarter. The net interest margin for the first quarter 2020 was 4.22%, an increase of 14 basis points when compared to 4.08% for the previous quarter. The increase in net interest margin was impacted by a higher average volume of loans, which carry a higher yield than money market investments or investment securities and a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing government deposits. Partially offsetting these positive variances was a lower yield on money market, trading and investment securities driven by lower market rates, as mentioned above. BPPR’s earning assets’ yield was 4.64%, compared to 4.62% in the previous quarter, while the cost of interest-bearing deposits was 0.56%, or 17 basis points lower than the 0.73% reported in the previous quarter, mostly driven by a lower cost of P.R. Government deposits. Total cost of deposits for the quarter was 0.44%, compared to 0.57% reported in the fourth quarter of 2019, a decrease of 13 basis points.

Net interest income for Popular U.S. was $72.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to $73.6 million during the previous quarter. The decrease of $0.9 million in net interest income was primarily due to a lower yield on loans by 12 basis points, mainly commercial and construction loans, partially offset by a lower cost of deposits by 11 basis points mainly associated to the decrease in market rates and a change in deposit mix. Net interest margin for the quarter was 3.21%, an increase of 3 basis points when compared to 3.18% in the previous quarter driven by a decrease in money market investments and investment securities and an increase in loans, coupled with a decrease in deposits. Earning assets yielded 4.37%, compared to 4.42% in the previous quarter, while the cost of interest-bearing deposits was 1.44%, compared to 1.55% in the previous quarter. Total cost of deposits for the quarter was 1.25% compared to 1.34% reported in the fourth quarter.

Non-interest income

Non-interest income decreased by $25.8 million to $126.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to $152.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in non-interest income was primarily driven by:

• Lower other services by $10.8 million, mainly in the BPPR segment, due to lower debit and credit card fees by $5.0 million due to lower transactional volumes resulting from business disruptions during the last two weeks of March related to the COVID-19 pandemic which also resulted in the elimination of service charges and late fees; and lower insurance fees principally resulting from $4.2 million in contingent insurance commissions recognized during the fourth quarter;
• lower income from mortgage banking activities by $7.0 million mainly due to higher fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) by $3.7 million due to an increase in estimated prepayments driven by declines in market rates, coupled with higher trading account losses by $2.6 million;
• a net unrealized loss on equity securities of $2.7 million related to employee deferred compensation plans that have an offsetting expense reduction in personnel related expenses; and
• an unfavorable variance in adjustments to indemnity reserves on previously sold loans of $6.1 million mainly due to higher provision related to loans previously sold with credit recourse.

Refer to Table B for further details.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2020 totaled $372.6 million, a decrease of $18.0 million when compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The decrease in operating expenses was driven primarily by:

• Lower personnel cost by $11.5 million due to lower incentives compensation by $15.4 million mainly related to annual incentives tied to the Corporation’s financial performance, including the Corporation’s Profit-Sharing plan, recognized during the fourth quarter of 2019, partially offset by a special incentive to front-line employees due to COVID-19 amounting to $3.4 million;
• lower professional fees by $2.1 million mainly due to lower advisory expenses; and
• lower business promotion by $9.0 million due to lower advertising, sponsorship and promotions expenses by $4.3 million, which were higher in the previous quarter due to seasonal initiatives and lower customer reward program expense by $3.2 million due to lower customer transaction activity.

These decreases were partially offset by:

• Higher OREO expenses by $1.9 million due to lower gain on sale of properties and higher write-downs on commercial, construction and mortgage properties; and
• higher other operating expenses by $2.1 million due to higher operational losses by $5.5 million, including legal contingency reserves, partially offset by lower pension plan cost by $3.3 million due to annual changes in actuarial assumptions.

Full-time equivalent employees were 8,551 as of March 31, 2020, compared to 8,560 as of December 31, 2019.

For a breakdown of operating expenses by category refer to Table B.

Income taxes

For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the Corporation recorded an income tax expense of $3.1 million, compared to $15.3 million for the previous quarter. The income tax expense for the first quarter of 2020 was lower than the previous quarter due to lower income before taxes resulting primarily from a higher provision for credit losses due to the implementation of CECL and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Corporation recorded a tax benefit of approximately $18 million related to the revision of the amount of exempt income earned in prior years, which resulted in the amendment of income tax returns for BPPR for the years 2015 to 2017. The effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the first quarter of 2020 was of 8%.

The ETR of the Corporation is impacted by the composition and source of its taxable income. For the year 2020, the Corporation currently expects its consolidated effective tax rate to be within a range of 14% to 18%.

Credit Quality

As discussed above, the Corporation adopted the CECL accounting standard effective January 1, 2020. This framework requires management to estimate credit losses over the full remaining expected life of the loan using economic forecasts over a reasonable and supportable period, and historical information thereafter.

Excluding the impact of the adoption of CECL as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation exhibited stable credit quality metrics throughout the first quarter of 2020. Significant changes in certain metrics reflect the adoption of the CECL methodology, as well as the impact of the unprecedented events that have unfolded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The allowance for credit losses as of the first quarter of 2020 increased considerably due to the actual and expected impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the economic environment and the CECL adoption. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve and the full extent of the economic disruption is uncertain. Management believes that the improvement over the last few years in the risk profile of the Corporation’s loan portfolios positions Popular to operate under challenging environments. Management will continue to carefully review the exposure of the portfolios to COVID-19 related risks, as well as changes in the economic outlook and their effect on credit quality.

To support its customers adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Popular is offering payment moratoriums to eligible customers in mortgage, consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans and leases and certain commercial credit facilities, subject to certain terms and conditions.

The following presents credit quality results for the first quarter of 2020:

• At March 31, 2020, total non-performing loans held-in-portfolio increased by $240.8 million from December 31, 2019, mainly driven by loans previously accounted for as purchased credit impaired. Following existing accounting guidance, PCI loans were excluded from non-performing status due to the estimation of cash flows at the pool level. Under CECL, these loans are accounted for on an individual loan basis under the purchased credit deteriorated loans (“PCD”) accounting methodology and are no longer excluded from non-performing status. BPPR’s NPLs increased by $236.5 million, mostly related to PCI loans transition impact of $259.7 million. Excluding this impact, NPLs decreased by $23.2 million, mostly related to lower mortgage NPLs. Popular Bank’s NPLs increased by $4.4 million, also driven by the PCI transition of the taxi medallion portfolio. At March 31, 2020, the ratio of NPLs to total loans held-in-portfolio was 2.8% compared to 1.9% in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Excluding the PCI to PCD transition impact mentioned above, inflows of NPLs held-in-portfolio, excluding consumer loans, increased by $9.9 million quarter-over-quarter. The P.R. mortgage inflows increased by $20.6 million sequentially, mainly due to repurchased PCD loans. This increase was offset by a decrease of $9.7 million in the P.R. commercial inflows. The U.S. inflows remained essentially flat quarter-over-quarter.
• NCOs decreased by $19.4 million from the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily driven by a decrease in PB commercial NCOs of $19.1 million mostly related to charge-offs of taxi medallion loans taken during the fourth quarter of 2019. BPPR NCOs remained flat quarter-over-quarter. The Corporation’s ratio of annualized net charge-offs to average loans held-in-portfolio was 0.91%, compared to 1.21% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Refer to Table M for further information on net charge-offs and related ratios.
• At March 31, 2020, the allowance for credit losses increased by $442.0 million from the fourth quarter of 2019 to $919.7 million; an increase of 93%. The CECL adoption impact resulted in an increase of $315.1 million (“Day 1 impact”) in the allowance for credit losses related to loans. Approximately, $298.1 million of this increase was reflected as a reduction of the opening balance of retained earnings, net of income taxes. The remaining $17.0 million, related to PCD loans previously accounted for under the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Subtopic 310-30, were reclassified from certain contra loan balance accounts of that portfolio. The Day 1 impact was mainly driven by the consumer and mortgage portfolios within the BPPR segment. Excluding such Day 1 impact, the ACL increase of $126.9 million was mainly attributable to the significant change in macroeconomic conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to loans held-in-portfolio was 3.32% in the first quarter of 2020, compared to 1.74% in the previous quarter. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to NPLs held-in-portfolio stood at 119.7% compared to 90.5% in the previous quarter.
• The provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2020 increased by $141.8 million from the prior quarter. The provision for the BPPR and PB segments increased by $72.2 million and $69.6 million, respectively. The increase in provision was mainly driven by the COVID-19 impact on the macroeconomic scenarios. The provision to net charge-offs ratio was 302.3% in the first quarter of 2020, compared to 57.7% in the previous quarter.

Total assets increased by $0.7 billion from the fourth quarter of 2019, driven by:

• An increase of $2.7 billion in cash and money market investments, mainly due to an increase in deposits and lower investment portfolio balances.

Partially offset by:

• A decrease of $1.8 billion in debt securities available-for-sale mainly due to maturities and paydowns of mortgage-backed securities, partially offset by purchases of U.S. Treasury securities and unrealized gains on the portfolio by $381.8 million mainly driven by the declines in market rates; and
• An increase of the Allowance for credit losses of $442 million, which includes the impact of the adoption of CECL and reserves resulting from the deterioration in the economic outlook as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Total liabilities increase by $1.0 billion from the fourth quarter of 2019, mainly due to:

• An increase of $1.0 billion in deposits, mainly from an increase in time deposits from trust accounts and saving accounts, partially offset by a decrease in Puerto Rico public sector deposits.

Stockholders’ equity decreased by approximately $347.3 million from the fourth quarter of 2019, principally due to the impact of the $500 million accelerated share repurchase transaction, the cumulative effect of $205.8 million related to the adoption of CECL, declared dividends of $35.5 million on common stock, the redemption of $28 million in Series B Preferred Stock and $0.7 million in dividends on preferred stock, partially offset by the net income for the quarter of $34.3 million and an increase of unrealized gains on debt securities available-for-sale by $381.8 million.

Common equity tier-1 ratio (“CET1”), common equity per share and tangible book value per share were 15.79%, $64.08 and $56.17, respectively, at March 31, 2020, compared to 17.76%, $62.42 and $55.10 at December 31, 2019. Refer to Table A for capital ratios.

Increase in common stock dividends

On January 9, 2020, the Corporation announced an increase in its quarterly common stock dividend from $0.30 per share to $0.40 per share, payable commencing in the second quarter of 2020, subject to the approval of the Corporation’s Board of Directors. On February 28, 2020, the Corporation’s Board of Directors approved the first quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share on its outstanding common stock, which was paid on April 1, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 19, 2020.

Redemption of Series B Preferred Stock

On February 24, 2020, the Corporation redeemed all outstanding shares of its 8.25% Non-Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock, Series B (“Series B Preferred Stock”). The Series B Preferred Stock was redeemed at the redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus $0.1375 in accrued and unpaid dividends on each share, for a total payment per share in the amount of $25.1375 and a total aggregate payment of $28.2 million.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation those about Popular’s business, financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives and future performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on management’s current expectations and, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions. Potential factors, some of which are beyond the Corporation’s control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include without limitation the effect of competitive and economic factors, and our reaction to those factors, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, delinquency trends, market risk and the impact of interest rate changes, capital market conditions, capital adequacy and liquidity, the effect of legal and regulatory proceedings (including as a result of any participation in and execution of government programs related to COVID-19), new accounting standards on the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations, the scope and duration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic, and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on Popular, our clients, customers, service providers and third parties. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature, are forward-looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continues,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project” and similar expressions, and future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may” or similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.

More information on the risks and important factors that could affect the Corporation’s future results and financial condition is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and in our Form 10Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our filings are available on the Corporation’s website (www.popular.com) and on the Securities and Exchange Commission website (www.sec.gov). The Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or information which speak as of their respective dates.

About Popular, Inc.

Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPOP) is the leading financial institution in Puerto Rico, by both assets and deposits, and ranks among the top 50 U.S. bank holding companies by assets. Founded in 1893, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Popular’s principal subsidiary, provides retail, mortgage and commercial banking services in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Popular also offers in Puerto Rico auto and equipment leasing and financing, investment banking, broker-dealer and insurance services through specialized subsidiaries. In the mainland United States, Popular provides retail, mortgage and commercial banking services through its New York-chartered banking subsidiary, Popular Bank, which has branches located in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

Conference Call

Popular will hold a conference call to discuss its financial results today Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be open to the public and broadcasted live over the Internet and can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Corporation’s website: www.popular.com.

Listeners are recommended to go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software. The call may also be accessed through the dial-in telephone number 1-866-235-1201 or 1-412-902-4127. There is no charge to access the call.

A replay of the webcast will be archived in Popular’s website. A telephone replay will be available one hour after the end of the conference call through Thursday, May 28, 2020. The replay dial-in is: 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088. The replay passcode is 10143155.

An electronic version of this press release can be found at the Corporation’s website: www.popular.com.