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Popular Inc

bpop · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2017 Annual Report · Popular Inc
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ANNUAL REPORT
INFORME ANUAL

20
1 7

CONTENTS
ÍNDICE

Letter from the Executive Chairman ..................................................................................  1

Letter from the President & Chief Executive Officer .................................................  2

25-Year Historical Financial Summary .............................................................................. 6

Management & Board of Directors ..................................................................................... 8

Carta del Presidente Ejecutivo de la Junta de Directores ....................................... 9

Carta del Presidente y Principal Oficial Ejecutivo .....................................................  10

Resumen Financiero Histórico (25 años) ....................................................................... 14

Gerencia y Junta de Directores  .......................................................................................  16

Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ:BPOP) is a 
full-service financial provider based 
in Puerto Rico, with operations in 
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the 
United States. In Puerto Rico, Popular 
is the leading banking institution, by 
both assets and deposits, and ranks  
among the largest 50 banks in the 
United States by assets.

Popular,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:BPOP)  es  un 
proveedor de servicios financieros con 
sede en Puerto Rico y operaciones en 
Puerto  Rico,  Islas  Vírgenes  y  Estados 
Unidos. En Puerto Rico es la institución 
bancaria  líder,  tanto  en  activos  como 
en depósitos, y se encuentra entre los 
50 bancos más grandes de los Estados 
Unidos por total de activos.

CORPORATE INFORMATION 
Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm: 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

INFORMACIÓN CORPORATIVA  
Firma registrada de Contabilidad 
Pública Independiente: 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

The company’s Form 10-K, proxy 
statement and any other financial 
information is available on
popular.com/en/
investor-relations/annual-reports/

El Formulario 10-K, el proxy y 
otra información financiera están 
disponibles en 
popular.com/
accionistas/informe-anual/

ANNUAL MEETING
The 2018 Annual Stockholders’ 
Meeting of Popular, Inc. will be held 
on Tuesday, May 8, at 9:00 a.m. at 
the penthouse of the Popular Center 
Building, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

REUNIÓN ANUAL
La Reunión Anual de Accionistas 2018 
de Popular, Inc., se llevará a cabo el 
martes 8 de mayo, a las 9:00 a.m. 
en el piso PH de Popular Center, 
San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

While I have officially 
been a part of Popular 
for 41 years, Popular has 
been, and will be, a part 
of me for my entire life. 

After 26 years as Popular’s CEO, in July of 2017 I assumed the position of Executive

Chairman and was proud to see my colleague and friend, Ignacio Alvarez, named 

as the new CEO by the Board of Directors.

Serving as the CEO for over two decades has undoubtedly been one of the most 

rewarding experiences of my life. It is immensely gratifying to see an organization

that  is  not  only  financially  strong,  but  that  remains  committed  to  fulfilling  the

needs of our customers, caring for our employees and taking an active role in the 

communities  we  serve.  The  values  that  have  guided  us  since  our  beginnings  125

years ago are stronger than ever today, and it fills me with pride that Popular is,

particularly in Puerto Rico, a symbol of excellence and progress. I am grateful to 

all my colleagues for being a constant source of inspiration, to our clients for their

trust and to you, fellow shareholders, for your support throughout all of these years.

With Popular on a solid position, the time was right for both Ignacio and me to 

assume our new roles. Since he joined Popular in 2010 as General Counsel, and 

more recently as President and COO, Ignacio demonstrated he has the experience,

the skills and the vision to lead this organization. 

It is a privilege for me to continue serving Popular from a different position and it

is exciting to collaborate with Ignacio and his team as they take Popular into the 

future. The vision and the strategy are clear, and the energy is evident. 

While I have officially been a part of Popular for 41 years, Popular has been, and will 

be, a part of me for my entire life. From a special vantage point, I have witnessed this

organization thrive during good times and persevere and strengthen in challenging

ones. The response of all our colleagues in the aftermath of the 2017 hurricanes is 

the most recent example of the spirit that makes Popular a successful and unique 

organization. I am confident that Popular’s best days lie ahead. 

Sincerely,

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN
Executive Chairman 
Popular, Inc.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT   |  1

POPULAR, INC. 
YEAR IN REVIEW

Dear Shareholders:

It is an honor to provide my first annual 

compared  to  $358  million 

in  the 

approximately $1.5 billion in retail auto 

shareholder update as Popular’s CEO, a 

previous year. The adjusted results for 

loans  and  $340  million  in  commercial 

position that I was privileged to assume 

2017  were  adversely  affected  by  the 

loans.  We  anticipate  the  transaction 

in July of 2017. 

impact of the hurricanes on provision, 

to  close  during  the  second  quarter  of 

revenues  and  expenses,  which  totaled 

2018 and be accretive to earnings. 

I  am  grateful  and  humbled  by  the 

confidence  the  Board  of  Directors  and 

Richard have placed in me. Richard is in 

many  ways  the  founder  of  the  modern 

Popular,  helping  it  evolve  during  his 

tenure as CEO from a much smaller bank 

$73  million,  net  of  income  tax,  and  a 

$38 million loan loss provision expense, 

net  of  income  tax,  related  to  our  taxi 

medallion portfolio in the U.S. acquired 

in 2015 as part of the Doral transaction.

Despite  concerns  about  Puerto  Rico’s 

economic  and  fiscal  situation,  for  the 

first  nine  months  of  2017,  the  price  of 

Popular’s  shares  roughly  correlated 

to  the  movement  of  the  U.S.  KBW 

in  Puerto  Rico  to  a  diversified  financial 

Credit  quality  remained  stable  during 

Regional  Bank  Index,  albeit  with  a 

services  institution  that  currently  ranks 

2017. In Puerto Rico, our credit metrics 

higher  volatility.  However,  the  price  of 

among the top 50 in the United States. 

for  the  first  eight  months  of  the  year 

our share was severely affected by the 

As everyone knows, 2017 was an eventful 

year  for  Popular  and  for  Puerto  Rico. 

Barely three months after I became CEO, 

two  major  hurricanes,  Irma  and  Maria, 

were  stable  despite  a  weak  economy. 

impact of Hurricane Maria, closing the 

Year-end  results  include  the  effect 

year  at  $35.49,  19%  lower  than  2016 

of  the 

loan  payment  moratorium 

and below our U.S. Peers and the KBW 

granted  to  consumer  and  commercial 

Regional Bank Index. Nevertheless, this 

borrowers  after  the  hurricanes,  which 

performance  compared  favorably  to 

struck the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico 

paused  inflows  into  delinquent  status. 

in the span of two weeks, leaving a trail 

In  our  U.S.  operation,  excluding  the 

of destruction in their wake. Throughout 

impact  of  the  taxi  medallion  portfolio, 

this difficult period, we demonstrated the 

asset quality remained strong.

other  Puerto  Rican  banks.  I  am  happy 

to  report  that  our  share  price  has 

increased  21%  through  the  first  eight 

weeks of 2018.

power and resilience of our organization 

by continuing to serve our clients in an 

incredibly challenging environment.

During  the  first  quarter  of  2017,  we 

executed a series of actions that reflect 

the  strength  of  our  capital  position. 

In 2017, we achieved net income of $108 

We  increased  the  quarterly  common 

million,  compared  with  $217  million  in 

stock  dividend  from  $0.15  per  share 

2016.  Our  2017  results  include  a  $168 

to $0.25 per share and completed the 

million expense related to the impact of 

repurchase  of  $75  million  in  common 

the  U.S.  tax  reform  on  the  deferred  tax 

stock. Our capital base remains strong, 

asset  (DTA)  of  our  U.S.  operation.  Net 

closing the year with a Common Equity 

income  in  2016  included,  among  other 

Tier 1 ratio of 16.3%. 

We mobilized to restore 
operations, support 
our colleagues in need 
and assist the most 
affected communities.

The  hurricanes  devastated  critical 

infrastructure, 

leaving 

the  entire 

significant  items,  the  effects  of  two 

adverse  arbitration  awards  related  to 

claims made by us under the commercial 

loss-share agreement with the FDIC, as 

receiver for Westernbank, which resulted 

in an expense of $131 million, net of tax. 

In  February  2018,  we  announced  an 

population without access to electricity, 

agreement to acquire and assume from 

water  and 

telecommunications 

in 

Reliable  Financial  Services,  Inc.  and 

its  aftermath.  Further  complicating 

Reliable  Finance  Holding  Company, 

matters,  the  severe  damage  to  roads 

both  subsidiaries  of  Wells  Fargo  & 

and  the  scarcity  of  fuel  delayed  initial 

Company,  certain  assets  and  liabilities 

recovery  efforts  and  hindered  the 

After  adjusting  for  the 

impact  of 

related  to  Wells  Fargo’s  auto  finance 

supply  of  basic  necessities  such  as 

these  items,  among  others,  adjusted 

business  in  Puerto  Rico.  As  part  of 

food,  medicines  and  drinking  water. 

net  income  for  2017  was  $276  million, 

the  transaction,  Popular  will  acquire 

Against  this  backdrop,  as  soon  as 

2  |  POPULAR, INC.

it  was  safe,  we  mobilized  to  restore 

the  payout  of  the  annual  statutory 

operations,  support  our  colleagues 

Christmas  bonus  to  employees 

in 

in  need  and  assist  the  most  affected 

Puerto  Rico  and  the  U.S.  and  British 

communities.

Virgin Islands. 

In  Puerto  Rico,  cash  became  in  many 

We  also  mobilized  quickly  to  help 

cases the only viable payment method 

severely 

impacted  communities  by 

due  to  the  impact  that  the  lack  of 

launching  the  Embracing  Puerto  Rico 

electricity  and 

telecommunications 

fund,  which  today  has  commitments 

had  on  the  point-of-sale  (POS)  and 

of  more  than  $6  million,  including  our 

automatic 

teller  machines  (ATMs) 

initial contribution of $1 million. We are 

networks. To help stabilize the situation, 

grateful for the generous donations of 

we provided access to cash and other 

many  business  partners  and  friends 

essential banking services through our 

that  enabled  us  to  deliver  immediate 

ATM  and  branch  network  as  quickly 

relief to the areas most affected by the 

as  possible.  Despite  many  operational 

disaster.  The  fund,  which  is  managed 

challenges,  thanks  to  the  remarkable 

by  our  foundation,  Fundación  Banco 

efforts  of  our  colleagues,  we  opened 

Popular,  is  now  focused  on  helping 

the  first  branches  within  72  hours  of 

community-based  organizations  imp-

Hurricane  Maria’s  landfall.  Thereafter, 

lement innovative solutions to pressing 

the  number  of  branches  and  ATMs 

social problems. 

In Puerto Rico, our 
deposit balances 
increased by $4.3B 
and our customer 
base by 31K. 

with the renovation or relocation of 

eight  branches,  which  has  helped 

spur branch deposit growth. 

•  We  continued  making  headway 

in 

simplifying  our 

technology 

in  operation 

increased  consistently, 

reaching  124  or  74%  and  333  or  52%, 

respectively,  within  four  weeks  of  the 

storm’s passing. In addition, as owners 

of  the  most  extensive  ATM  network 

on  the  Island,  we  waived  all  ATM  fees 

for  several  weeks  after  the  storm  to 

all customers, including those of other 

financial institutions. On the credit side, 

we  provided  relief  to  our  customers 

by  offering  a  principal  and  interest 

payment  moratorium  on  residential, 

consumer  and  commercial  loans  and 

waived late payment fees.

At the same time, we made it a priority 

to  take  care  of  our  colleagues  during 

this  difficult 

time.  Among  many 

While  much  of  the  discussion  of  2017 

infrastructure  and  migrating  trans-

naturally  centers  on  the  hurricanes, 

the year also included other important 

accomplishments:

•  In  Puerto  Rico,  we  continued  to 

improve our leading market position. 

Notwithstanding  the  pro-  tracted 

economic  recession  and  the  effects 

of 

the  hurricanes,  our  deposit 

balances  increased  by  $4.3  billion 

and  our  customer  base  by  31,000. 

We  also  achieved  growth  in  several 

portfolios, such as commercial loans 

and auto loans. 

•  In  the  United  States,  we  grew 

actions to digital channels to achieve 

greater  efficiencies  and  deliver 

a  superior  customer  experience. 

Digital  deposit  transactions  sur-

passed 40% of total deposits in both 

Puerto Rico and the United States.  

•  We  also  expanded  our  efforts  to 

attract,  develop  and  retain  the  best 

talent  in  the  markets  we  serve. 

We 

launched  and  strengthened 

initiatives  in  areas  such  as  training, 

diversity and inclusion and wellness. 

We  look  forward  to  2018,  aware  of 

the  challenges,  but  ready  to  seize 

commercial  loans  by  16%,  launched 

opportunities  that  will  undoubtedly 

initiatives, we increased the Employee 

a  private  banking  initiative,  and 

arise.  The  Puerto  Rico  economy 

Emergency  Fund  to  offer  financial 

strengthened  our  mortgage  orig-

remains the most significant headwind 

assistance  to  those  who  suffered 

ination  unit.  We  continued  the 

we  face.  An  environment  that  was 

severe  damages,  and  we  accelerated 

transformation of our retail network 

already  extremely  complex  due  to  the 

2017 ANNUAL REPORT   |  3

POPULAR, INC. 
YEAR IN REVIEW

fiscal  and  public  debt  situation  has 

hurricanes.  We  now  have  a  unique 

become  even  more  challenging  after 

opportunity 

to  make 

significant 

the  hurricanes.  Processes  that  were 

changes 

in  areas  such  as  energy, 

underway  will  have  to  be  adjusted  to 

housing,  health  and  education.  As 

reflect the post-hurricane reality. 

the 

leading  financial 

institution  on 

In the months following the hurricanes, 

economic  activity  was 

inevitably 

impacted  mainly  due  to  delays  in  the 

restoration of electricity in Puerto Rico. 

Nevertheless,  we  are  heartened  to 

the  Island,  Popular  is  ready  to  play 

an  important  role,  as  we  have  done 

throughout  our  history,  in  efforts  to 

build  a  stronger  and  more  sustainable 

Puerto Rico. 

see  signs  that  the  economic  situation 

Our  U.S.  business  continues  to  be 

on  the  Island  has  begun  to  stabilize, 

strategically 

important 

to  Popular 

Fit for the Future 
Strengthening our foundation 
by attracting and developing 
our talent around the 
capabilities needed for 
the future and enhancing 
our internal controls to 
effectively manage risks

This 

framework  ensures 

that  we 

consistently balance our focus between 

present and future needs, and helps us 

identify the necessary steps to achieve 

with  several  metrics  –  such  as  our 

as  the  main  source  of  diversification 

our strategic goals.  

customers’  debit  card  purchases  and 

of  risk,  expansion  of  revenues,  and 

auto  sales  –  returning  to  pre-storm 

potential  growth.  We  remain  focused 

levels. There has also been a great deal 

on  diversifying  our 

loan  portfolio, 

of discussion of an acceleration of out-

strengthening  our  deposit  franchise, 

migration  after  the  hurricanes.  While 

driving  fee  income,  and  transforming 

the  increase  is  undeniable,  estimates 

our retail network. 

I  take  this  opportunity  to  express 

my  gratitude 

to  our  Board  of 

Directors  and  my  colleagues  for  their 

extraordinary  response  to  the  crisis 

brought  about  by  the  hurricanes. 

Managing  responsibilities  at  Popular 

while  tending  to  difficult  situations  in 

their  home,  our  employees  in  Puerto 

In  December  2017,  we  unveiled  a  new 

strategic  framework  founded  on  a 

vision to deliver an excellent customer 

Rico  and  the  U.S.  and  British  Virgin 

experience  by  offering  financial 

Islands  responded  heroically,  and  we 

solutions in a simple way. This vision is 

could  not  have  achieved  what  we  did 

supported by four strategic pillars:

Sustainable and 
Profitable Growth                                       
Identifying sustainable 
and profitable growth 
opportunities

Simplicity                   
Simplifying our company 
by streamlining our 
processes and technological 
platform to reduce costs

Customer Focus             
Creating a customer-
focused service culture with 
a consistent experience 
across channels

without  their  dedication  and  hard 

work.  The  support  of  our  colleagues 

in  the  mainland  United  States  was 

also  very  important  throughout  those 

trying months. 

I  also  want  to  thank  Néstor  O.  Rivera, 

former  head  of  the  Retail  Banking 

Group,  who  retired  in  2017  after  a 

long  and  successful  career  at  Popular 

spanning  close  to  50  years.  Néstor’s 

legacy  will  endure,  as  he  worked  to 

grow our Puerto Rico branch network, 

helped  shape  Popular’s  technology 

strategy and mentored generations of 

leaders who learned the importance of 

our  values  and  organizational  culture 

through his counsel and example. Luis 

vary considerably, and it still is unclear 

how  many  of  those  who  have  left  the 

Island  will  eventually  return  as  the 

situation  continues  to  stabilize.  In  the 

end, the solution to the migration issue 

is  to  accelerate  economic  growth  in 

Puerto Rico. 

The  pace  of  economic  recovery  will 

be heavily dependent on the speed of 

the  remaining  power  restoration  and 

on the magnitude and timing of funds 

flowing  into  Puerto  Rico  from  federal 

agencies  and  insurance  companies. 

These  funds,  which  are  estimated  to 

exceed $25 billion, are likely to have a 

stimulative  effect  on  the  economy  on 

the short to medium term.  

Puerto  Rico’s  longer-term  economic 

prospects  will  hinge  on  the  decisions 

regarding Puerto Rico’s rebuilding. The 

Island  was  facing  serious  structural 

problems  before  the  impact  of  the 

4  |  POPULAR, INC.

COMMITTED TO OUR
CLIENTS, COLLEAGUES 
AND COMMUNITIES

In  September  2017,  Puerto  Rico  and  the  Virgin  Islands  suffered  the  catastrophic 
impact of two major hurricanes in the span of two weeks, destroying structures, 
devastating  the  natural  landscape  and  leaving  entire  populations  without  access 
to  electricity,  water,  telecommunications,  medical  services  and  basic  supplies. 
Popular  demonstrated  its  unwavering  commitment  to  its  clients,  employees  and 
communities,  rapidly  restoring  access  to  banking  services  and  reaching  out  to 
those who needed it most.

Cestero,  who  joined  Popular  in  1995 

and has close to 20 years of experience 

in  the  Retail  Banking  Group,  assumed 

leadership of this group after Nestor’s 

retirement.  Luis  has  proven  his  deep 

knowledge  of  the  business,  and,  more 

importantly,  has  demonstrated  strong 

leadership skills, earning the respect of 

everyone around him. 

Popular  is  today  a  much  stronger 

organization  than  it  was  before  the 

2017 hurricanes. We worked as a team, 

adapted to change, developed creative 

solutions and responded decisively. We 

demonstrated  all  that  we  can  achieve 

when we have a shared purpose.

We  begin  2018,  year  in  which  we 

celebrate  our 

125th 

anniversary, 

Our Customers
Access to cash and other basic banking 
services despite operational challenges 

  Operating 31% of branches and 24% of 
ATMs one week after Hurricane Maria; 
reached  92%  and  82%,  respectively, 
by year-end. 

  Reestablished  call  center  operations 
on  September  25;  resumed  24/7 
service on October 23. 

  Offered  uninterrupted  online  and 

mobile banking services.

committed  to  preserving  the  spirit 

Relief and support 

and  the  attitudes  that  allowed  us  to 

not  only  face  2017’s  challenges,  but 

to  become  a  better  organization  as  a 

result of them. We do not need a crisis 

to show our very best. Our colleagues, 

our  customers,  our  communities  and 

our  shareholders  expect,  deserve  and 

will get our best, every day.

Sincerely,

  Implemented  a  payment  moratorium 
for credit cards, personal loans, auto 
loans and mortgages.

  Waived  ATM  fees  for  25  days  to  our 
customers  and  customers  of  other 
financial institutions.

  Opened seven hubs across the island 
to  offer  commercial  clients  work 
spaces with Internet access.

  Offered  customers  and  the  general 
public  guidance  on  insurance  and 
FEMA claims processes. 

OUR PEOPLE
Financial Assistance

Wellness and support

  Distributed  water,  food  vouchers  and 
packages  with  basic  supplies  to 
employees in need.

  Established  childcare  centers 

for 
in  our  main 

employees’  children 
buildings.

  Temporarily  lifted  restrictions  in  the 
medical insurance plan to ensure care 
in urgent cases, extended our On Site 
Health  and  Wellness  Center  services 
to  employees’  dependents  and 
coordinated  specialized  programs  to 
address emotional aspects.

OUR COMMUNITIES
Embracing Puerto Rico

  Established  the  Embracing  Puerto 
Rico  fund  with  an  initial  contribution 
of $1 million; has reached $6.1 million in 
commitments.

  Completed  35  missions  to  distribute 
over 800k pounds of basic provisions, 
impacting over 140k individuals

  Currently focused on projects that will 
stabilize  communities  by  providing 
access to clean water, solar energy and 
jump-starting  Puerto  Rico’s  economic 
recovery.

  Increased  the  Employee  Emergency 
Fund  and  deployed  over  $800k  to 
employees who suffered major losses.

  Supported  various  initiatives,  such 
as United for Puerto Rico and Somos 
Una Voz.

IGNACIO ALVAREZ
President and Chief Executive Officer
Popular, Inc.

  Advanced  payroll  the  week  of  the 
hurricane and accelerated the payout 
of the Christmas bonus.

  Offered  bank-owned  properties  to 

colleagues who needed housing.

  Moving  into  a  new  phase  of  actions, 
centered 
our 
communities  across  the  Island  into 
long-term recovery.

transitioning 

on 

25-YEAR
HISTORICAL FINANCIAL SUMMARY

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Selected Financial Information

Net Income (Loss)

 $109.4 

 $124.7 

 $146.4 

 $185.2 

 $209.6 

 $232.3 

 $257.6 

 $276.1 

 $304.5 

 $351.9 

 $470.9 

Assets

Gross Loans 

Deposits

Stockholders’ Equity

Market Capitalization

 11,513.4 

 12,778.4 

 15,675.5 

 16,764.1 

 19,300.5 

 23,160.4 

 25,460.5 

 28,057.1 

 30,744.7 

 33,660.4 

 36,434.7 

 6,346.9 

 7,781.3 

 8,677.5 

 9,779.0 

 11,376.6 

 13,078.8 

 14,907.8 

 16,057.1 

 18,168.6 

 19,582.1 

 22,602.2 

 8,522.7 

 9,012.4 

 9,876.7 

 10,763.3 

 11,749.6 

 13,672.2 

 14,173.7 

 14,804.9 

 16,370.0 

 17,614.7 

 18,097.8 

 834.2 

 1,002.4 

 1,141.7 

 1,262.5 

 1,503.1 

 1,709.1 

 1,661.0 

 1,993.6 

 2,272.8 

 2,410.9 

 2,754.4 

 $1,014.7 

 $923.7 

 $1,276.8 

 $2,230.5 

 $3,350.3 

 $4,611.7 

 $3,790.2 

 $3,578.1 

 $3,965.4 

 $4,476.4 

 $5,960.2 

Return on Average Assets (ROAA)

1.02%

1.02%

1.04%

1.14%

1.14%

1.14%

1.08%

1.04%

1.09%

1.11%

1.36%

Return on Average Common Equity 
(ROACE)

Per Common Share1

13.80%

13.80%

14.22%

16.17%

15.83%

15.41%

15.45%

15.00%

14.84%

16.29%

19.30%

Net Income (Loss) - Basic

 $4.18 

 $4.59 

 $5.24 

 $6.69 

 $7.51 

 $8.26 

 $9.19 

 $9.85 

 $10.87 

 $13.05 

 $17.36 

Net Income (Loss) - Diluted

Dividends (Declared)

Book Value

Market Price

Assets by Geographical Area

Puerto Rico

United States

Caribbean and Latin America

Total

Traditional Delivery System

Banking Branches

Puerto Rico

Virgin Islands

United States2

Subtotal

Non-Banking Offices

Popular Financial Holdings

Popular Cash Express

Popular Finance

Popular Auto

Popular Leasing, U.S.A.

Popular Mortgage

Popular Securities

Popular One
Popular Insurance and         
Popular Risk Services

Popular Insurance Agency, U.S.A.

Popular Insurance V.I.

E-LOAN

EVERTEC

Subtotal
Total

Electronic Delivery System

 ATMs Owned

Puerto Rico

Virgin Islands

United States

Total

 4.18 

 1.20 

 4.59 

 1.25 

 5.24 

 1.54 

 6.69 

 1.83 

 31.86 

 34.35 

 39.52 

 43.98 

 7.51 

 2.00 

 51.83 

 8.26 

 2.50 

 9.19 

 3.00 

 9.85 

 3.20 

 10.87 

 3.80 

 59.32 

 57.54 

 69.62 

 79.67 

 13.05 

 4.00 

 91.02 

 17.36 

 5.05 

 96.60 

 39.38 

 35.16 

 48.44 

 84.38 

 123.75 

 170.00 

 139.69 

 131.56 

 145.40 

 169.00 

 224.25 

79%

16%

5%

76%

20%

4%

75%

21%

4%

74%

22%

4%

74%

23%

3%

71%

25%

4%

71%

25%

4%

72%

26%

2%

68%

30%

2%

66%

32%

2%

62%

36%

2%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

165

8

32

205

58

26

8

92

297

234

8

11

253

166

8

34

208

73

28

10

111

319

262

8

26

296

166

8

40

214

91

31

9

3

134

348

281

8

38

327

178

8

44

230

102

39

8

3

1

153

383

327

9

53

389

201

8

63

272

117

44

10

7

3

2

183

455

391

17

71

479

198

8

89

295

128

51

48

10

8

11

2

258

553

421

59

94

574

199

8

91

298

137

102

47

12

10

13

2

4

327

625

442

68

99

609

199

8

95

302

136

132

61

12

11

21

3

2

4

382

684

478

37

109

624

196

8

96

300

149

154

55

20

13

25

4

2

1

4

427

727

524

39

118

681

195

8

96

299

153

195

36

18

13

29

7

2

1

1

5

460

759

539

53

131

723

193

8

97

298

181

129

43

18

11

32

8

2

1

1

5

431

729

557

57

129

743

Employees (full-time equivalent)

 7,533 

 7,606 

 7,815 

 7,996 

 8,854 

 10,549 

 11,501 

 10,651 

 11,334 

 11,037 

 11,474 

6  |  POPULAR, INC.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

 $489.9 

 $540.7 

 $357.7 

 $(64.5)

 $(1,243.9)

 $(573.9)

 $137.4 

 $151.3 

 $245.3 

 $599.3 

 $(313.5)

 $895.3 

 $216.7 

 $107.7 

 44,401.6 

 48,623.7 

 47,404.0 

 44,411.4 

 38,882.8 

 34,736.3 

 38,815.0 

 37,348.4 

 36,506.9 

 35,748.8 

 33,086.8 

 35,761.7 

 38,661.6 

 44,277.3 

 28,742.3 

 31,710.2 

 32,736.9 

 29,911.0 

 26,268.9 

 23,803.9 

 26,458.9 

 25,314.4 

 25,093.6 

 24,706.7 

 22,053.2 

 23,129.2 

 23,435.4 

 24,942.5 

 20,593.2 

 22,638.0 

 24,438.3 

 28,334.4 

 27,550.2 

 25,924.9 

 26,762.2 

 27,942.1 

 27,000.6 

 26,711.1 

 24,807.5 

 27,209.7 

 30,496.2 

 35,453.5 

 3,104.6 

 3,449.2 

 3,620.3 

 3,581.9 

 3,268.4 

 2,538.8 

 3,800.5 

 3,918.8 

 4,110.0 

 4,626.2 

 4,267.4 

 5,105.3 

 5,198.0 

 5,103.9 

 $7,685.6 

 $5,836.5 

 $5,003.4 

 $2,968.3 

 $1,455.1 

 $1,445.4 

 $3,211.4 

 $1,426.0 

 $2,144.9 

 $2,970.6 

 $3,523.4 

 $2,936.6 

 $4,548.1 

 $3,622.4 

1.23%

1.17%

0.74%

-0.14%

-3.04%

-1.57%

0.36%

0.40%

0.68%

1.65%

-0.89%

2.54%

0.58%

0.26%

17.60%

17.12%

9.73%

-2.08%

-44.47%

-32.95%

4.37%

4.01%

6.37%

14.43%

-7.04%

19.16%

4.07%

1.96%

 $17.95 

 $19.78 

 $12.41 

 $(2.73)

 $(45.51)

 $2.39 

 $(0.62)

 $1.44 

 $2.36 

 $5.80 

 $(3.08)

 $8.66 

 $2.06 

 17.92 

 6.20 

 19.74 

 6.40 

 12.41 

 6.40 

 (2.73)

 (45.51)

 6.40 

 4.80 

 2.39 

 0.20 

 109.45 

 118.22 

 123.18 

 121.24 

 63.29 

 38.91 

 288.30 

 211.50 

 179.50 

 106.00 

 51.60 

 22.60 

55%

43%

2%

53%

45%

2%

52%

45%

3%

59%

38%

3%

64%

33%

3%

65%

32%

3%

 (0.62)

 - 

 36.67 

 31.40 

74%

23%

3%

 1.44 

 - 

 37.71 

 13.90 

74%

23%

3%

 2.35 

 5.78 

 (3.08)

 - 

 39.35 

 20.79 

 - 

 44.26 

 28.73 

 - 

 40.76 

 34.05 

73%

24%

3%

72%

25%

3%

80%

17%

3%

 8.65 

 0.30 

 48.79 

 28.34 

75%

22%

3%

 2.06 

 0.60 

$1.02 

$1.02 

 1.00 

 49.60 

 49.51 

 43.82 

 35.49 

75%

23%

2%

76%

22%

2%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

179

8

139

173

8

101

185

8

96

183

9

94

175

9

92

171

9

90

168

9

47

173

9

50

171

9

51

168

9

51

 326 

 282 

 289 

 286 

 276 

 270 

 224 

 232 

 231 

 228 

192

8

128

328

183

114

43

18

15

30

9

2

1

1

5

421

749

568

59

163

790

 194 

 8 

 136 

 338 

 191 

 8 

 142 

 341 

196

8

147

 351 

 212 

 158 

134

 4 

 49 

 17 

 14 

 33 

 12 

 2 

 1 

 1 

 1 

 5 

 52 

 15 

 11 

 32 

 12 

 2 

 1 

 1 

 1 

 7 

51

12

24

32

13

2

1

1

1

9

2

9

12

22

32

7

1

1

1

1

9

 351 

 689 

 292 

 633 

 280 

 631 

 97 

 423 

 583 

 61 

 181 

825

 605 

 65 

 192 

862

615

69

187

871

605

74

176

855

10

33

6

1

1

1

9

 61 

 343 

571

77

136

784

10

36

6

1

1

1

10

37

4

4

1

1

1

10

37

4

5

1

1

1

9

38

3

6

1

1

1

9

25

3

6

1

1

1

9

24

3

6

2

1

1

9

17

2

5

2

1

1

9

14

2

5

2

1

1

 55 

 344 

 58 

 344 

 59 

 335 

 59 

 329 

 46 

 270 

 46 

 278 

 37 

 268 

 34 

 262 

624

17

138

779

613

20

135

768

597

20

134

751

599

22

132

753

602

21

83

706

622

21

87

730

635

20

101

756

633

22

110

765

 12,139 

 13,210 

 12,508 

 12,303 

 10,587 

 9,407 

 8,277 

 8,329 

 8,072 

 8,059 

 7,752 

 7,810 

 7,828 

 7,784 

1Per common share data adjusted for stock splits and reverse stock split executed in May 2012.
2Excludes a Banco Popular de Puerto Rico branch operating in New York.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT   |  7

 
 
 
 
 
POPULAR, INC. 
MANAGEMENT & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Senior Management Team

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN
Executive Chairman 
Popular, Inc.

IGNACIO ALVAREZ
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Popular, Inc.

CAMILLE BURCKHART
Executive Vice President & 
Chief Information and Digital Officer
Innovation, Technology &
Operations Group
Popular, Inc. 

LUIS CESTERO
Executive Vice President
Retail Banking Group
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

MANUEL A. CHINEA
Executive Vice President
Popular, Inc.
Chief Operating Officer 
Popular Community Bank

JAVIER D. FERRER
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal 
Officer & Corporate Secretary 
General Counsel &
Corporate Matters Group
Popular, Inc.

JUAN O. GUERRERO
Executive Vice President
Financial and Insurance 
Services Group
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

GILBERTO MONZÓN
Executive Vice President
Individual Credit Group
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

EDUARDO J. NEGRÓN
Executive Vice President 
Administration Group
Popular, Inc.

ELI S. SEPÚLVEDA
Executive Vice President 
Commercial Credit Group
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

LIDIO V. SORIANO
Executive Vice President & 
Chief Risk Officer 
Corporate Risk Management Group
Popular, Inc.

CARLOS J. VÁZQUEZ
Executive Vice President & 
Chief Financial Officer 
Popular, Inc.

Board of Directors

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN
Executive Chairman 
Popular, Inc.

IGNACIO ALVAREZ
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Popular, Inc.

JOAQUÍN E. 
BACARDÍ, III
Chairman
Edmundo B. Fernández, Inc.

ALEJANDRO M. 
BALLESTER
President
Ballester Hermanos, Inc.

JOHN W. DIERCKSEN
Principal
Greycrest, LLC

MARÍA LUISA FERRÉ
President & Chief Executive Officer
FRG, Inc.

DAVID E. GOEL
Managing General Partner
Matrix Capital 
Management Company, LP

C. KIM GOODWIN
Private Investor

WILLIAM J.
TEUBER JR.
Private Investor

CARLOS A. UNANUE
President
Goya de Puerto Rico

Aunque oficialmente he 
formado parte de Popular 
por 41 años, Popular 
ha sido, y continuará 
siendo, una parte de 
mí por toda mi vida. 

Después de 26 años como CEO de Popular, en julio del 2017 asumí el cargo de 

Presidente  Ejecutivo  de  la  Junta  de  Directores  y  me  llenó  de  orgullo  ver  a  mi

compañero y amigo, Ignacio Álvarez, designado por la Junta como el nuevo CEO.

Servir  de  CEO  por  más  de  dos  décadas  ha  sido,  sin  duda  alguna,  una  de  las 

experiencias  más  gratificantes  de  mi  vida.  Siento  una  gran  satisfacción  al  ver

una  organización  que  no  solo  es  financieramente  fuerte,  sino  que  permanece

comprometida  con  atender  las  necesidades  de  nuestros  clientes,  cuidar  de 

nuestros empleados y asumir un papel activo en las comunidades que servimos. 

Los valores que nos han guiado desde nuestros inicios hace 125 años son hoy más

fuertes que nunca, y me enorgullece que Popular es, particularmente en Puerto 

Rico, un símbolo de excelencia y progreso. Agradezco a mis colegas por ser una 

fuente constante de inspiración, a nuestros clientes por su confianza y a ustedes,

mis compañeros accionistas, por su apoyo a través de todos estos años.

Con  Popular  en  una  posición  sólida,  éste  era  el  momento  indicado  para  que 

Ignacio y yo asumiéramos nuevos roles. Desde que se unió a Popular en el 2010, 

y  más  recientemente  como  presidente  y  COO,  Ignacio  demostró  que  tiene  la

experiencia, las destrezas y la visión para liderar esta organización.

Es un privilegio para mí continuar sirviendo a Popular desde una posición diferente 

y estoy sumamente entusiasmado de colaborar con Ignacio y su equipo mientras 

trazan el futuro de Popular. La visión y la estrategia están claras, y la energía es 

evidente.

Aunque oficialmente he formado parte de Popular por 41 años, Popular ha sido, 

y continuará siendo, una parte de mí por toda mi vida. Desde un punto de vista

especial, he sido testigo de cómo esta organización prospera en tiempos buenos 

y persevera y se fortalece en tiempos difíciles. La respuesta de nuestros colegas

a la crisis provocada por los huracanes del 2017 es el ejemplo más reciente del 

espíritu que hace a Popular una organización exitosa y única. No tengo duda de 

que los mejores días de Popular están por delante.

Sinceramente,

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN
Presidente Ejecutivo de la 
Junta de Directores
Popular, Inc.

2017 INFORME ANUAL   |  9

POPULAR, INC. 
RESUMEN DEL AÑO

Estimados accionistas:
Es  un  honor  presentar  mi  primer 
informe  a 
los  accionistas  como 
Principal  Oficial  Ejecutivo  (CEO)  de 
Popular,  una  posición  que  tuve  el 
privilegio de asumir en julio de 2017.

Agradezco  humildemente  la  confianza 
que la Junta de Directores y Richard han 
puesto  en  mí.  Richard  es,  en  muchos 
aspectos,  el  fundador  del  Popular 
moderno. Durante sus años como CEO, 
ayudó  a  evolucionar  la  organización 
de  un  banco  mucho  más  pequeño 
en  Puerto  Rico  a  una  institución  de 
servicios  financieros  diversificados 
que  hoy  se  encuentra  entre  las  50 
principales en los Estados Unidos.

Como  todos  sabemos,  el  2017  fue  un 
año retante para Popular y para Puerto 
Rico.  Luego  de  tan  solo  tres  meses 
de  ser  CEO,  dos  huracanes  de  gran 
magnitud,  Irma  y  María,  azotaron  las 
Islas Vírgenes y Puerto Rico en menos 
de  dos  semanas,  dejando  a  su  paso 
una extensa destrucción. Durante este 
momento difícil, demostramos la fuerza 
y  resiliencia  de  nuestra  organización, 
sirviendo  a  nuestros  clientes  en  un 
ambiente increíblemente desafiante.

relacionado 

En el 2017 alcanzamos un ingreso neto 
de $108 millones, comparado con $217 
millones en el 2016. Nuestros resultados 
para el 2017 incluyen un gasto de $168 
millones  como  resultado  del  impacto 
de 
la  reforma  contributiva  federal 
sobre nuestro activo de contribuciones 
diferidas 
a  nuestras 
operaciones  en  Estados  Unidos.  El 
ingreso  neto  en  el  2016  incluyó,  entre 
otros eventos significativos, el efecto de 
dos decisiones adversas relacionadas a 
reclamaciones  hechas  por  nosotros  al 
FDIC  como  síndico  de  Westernbank 
bajo  el  acuerdo  de  participación  de 
pérdidas  en  préstamos  comerciales, 
que  resultaron  en  un  gasto  de  $131 
millones, neto de contribuciones. 

Luego  de  ajustar  para  excluir  el 
impacto de estas partidas, entre otras, 
el  ingreso  neto  ajustado  para  el  2017 
fue  de  $276  millones,  comparado 
con  $358  millones  en  el  año  anterior. 
Los  resultados  ajustados  del  2017 
se  afectaron  negativamente  por 
el  impacto  de  los  huracanes  en  la 
provisión,  en  ingresos  y  en  gastos, 
que  alcanzó  $73  millones,  netos  de 
contribuciones, y a una provisión para 
pérdidas en préstamos de $38 millones, 
netos  de  contribuciones,  relacionada 
a  nuestra  cartera  de  préstamos  para 
licencias de taxis en los Estados Unidos 
adquirida como parte de la transacción 
de Doral.

La  calidad  de  crédito  permaneció 
estable durante el 2017. En Puerto Rico, 
los indicadores para los primeros ocho 
meses del año se mantuvieron estables 
a pesar de la debilidad de la economía. 
Las métricas para el fin de año incluyen 
el  efecto  de  la  moratoria  de  pagos 
de  préstamos  ofrecida  a  clientes 
individuales  y  comerciales  tras  el 
paso de los huracanes, que suspendió 
temporeramente  el  que  estos  fuesen 
considerados  como  delincuentes.  En 
la 
los  Estados  Unidos,  excluyendo 
cartera  de  licencias  de  taxi,  la  calidad 
del crédito se mantuvo fuerte.

Durante  el  primer  trimestre  del  2017, 
tomamos  una  serie  de  acciones  que 
reflejan la fortaleza de nuestra posición 
de  capital.  Aumentamos  el  dividendo 
trimestral  de  $0.15  a  $0.25  por  acción 
común  y  recompramos  $75  millones 
de acciones comunes. Nuestra base de 
capital  continúa  fuerte,  terminando  el 
año con una relación de capital básico 
(Common Equity Tier 1) de 16.3%.

En  febrero  del  2018,  anunciamos  un 
acuerdo para adquirir y asumir ciertos 
activos y pasivos de Reliable Financial 
Inc.  y  Reliable  Finance 
Services, 

Holding  Company,  subsidiarias  de 
Wells  Fargo  &  Company,  relacionados 
a  su  negocio  de  financiamiento  de 
autos  en  Puerto  Rico.  Como  parte 
de  la  transacción,  Popular  adquirirá 
aproximadamente  $1,500  millones  en 
préstamos de auto y $340 millones en 
préstamos  comerciales.  Anticipamos 
que 
la  transacción  se  completará 
en  el  segundo  trimestre  del  2018  y 
que  contribuirá  positivamente  a  los 
ingresos de la corporación. 

A  pesar  de 
las  preocupaciones 
relacionadas  a  la  situación  fiscal  y 
económica  de  Puerto  Rico,  durante 
los  primeros  nueve  meses  del  2017, 
el  precio  de  las  acciones  de  Popular 
tuvo un movimiento parecido al Índice 
Regional  de  Bancos  de  KBW  en  los 
Estados  Unidos,  aunque  más  volátil. 
Sin  embargo,  el  precio  de  nuestras 
acciones  se  vio  severamente  afectado 
por  el  impacto  del  huracán  María, 
cerrando  el  año  en  $35.49,  19%  más 
bajo  que  en  el  2016  y  por  debajo  de 
nuestros  bancos  pares  en  Estados 
Unidos y del Índice Regional de Bancos 
de KBW. No obstante, este desempeño 
compara  favorablemente  con  el  de 
otros  bancos  en  Puerto  Rico.  Me 
complace informar que el precio de la 
acción  ha  aumentado  un  21%  durante 
las primeras ochos semanas del 2018. 

Nos movilizamos para 
restablecer nuestras 
operaciones, apoyar a 
aquellos compañeros 
que lo necesitaban y a 
asistir a las comunidades 
más afectadas. 

Los  huracanes  devastaron 
infraes- 
tructura  crítica,  dejando  tras  su  paso 
a  la  población  entera  sin  acceso  a 

10  |  POPULAR, INC.

electricidad, agua y telecomunicaciones. 
Complicando  aún  más  la  situación, 
los  daños  severos  a  las  carreteras  y  la 
escasez de combustible obstaculizaron 
la distribución de bienes básicos como 
alimentos,  medicamentos  y  agua 
potable.  En  este  contexto,  tan  pronto 
como  fue  seguro,  nos  movilizamos 
para  restablecer  nuestras  operaciones, 
apoyar  a  aquellos  compañeros  que  lo 
necesitaban y a asistir a las comunidades 
más afectadas. 

abrimos 

En  Puerto  Rico,  el  dinero  en  efectivo 
se  convirtió  en  muchos  casos  en  el 
único  método  de  pago  viable  debido 
al  impacto  que  la  falta  de  electricidad 
y  telecomunicaciones  tuvo  en 
las 
redes de puntos de venta y de cajeros 
automáticos.  Para  ayudar  a  estabilizar 
la  situación,  proporcionamos  acceso  a 
efectivo a través de nuestras sucursales 
y  cajeros  automáticos  a 
la  mayor 
brevedad posible. A pesar de múltiples 
retos  operacionales, 
las 
primeras  sucursales  72  horas  después 
del  embate  del  huracán  María.  A 
partir  de  ese  momento,  el  número  de 
sucursales  y  cajeros  automáticos  en 
operación  aumentó  consistentemente, 
alcanzando  124  o  74%  y  333  o  52%, 
respectivamente, 
semanas 
después del paso del huracán. Además, 
como  dueños  de  la  red  de  cajeros 
automáticos  más  extensa  en  la  isla, 
eliminamos todos los cargos por uso de 
los  cajeros  automáticos  durante  varias 
semanas  después  del  huracán  a  todos 
los  clientes,  incluyendo  a  aquellos  de 
otras instituciones financieras. En el lado 
de crédito, brindamos alivio a nuestros 
clientes,  ofreciendo  una  moratoria 
de  pago  de  interés  y  principal  en  los 
préstamos  hipotecarios,  personales  y 
comerciales y suspendiendo los cargos 
por pagos tardíos.

cuatro 

A la misma vez, establecimos como una 
prioridad apoyar a nuestros compañeros 

durante  ese  momento  difícil.  Entre 
muchas 
iniciativas,  aumentamos  el 
Fondo  de  Emergencia  de  Empleados 
para  ofrecer  asistencia  financiera  a 
empleados que sufrieron daños severos, 
y  aceleramos  el  pago  del  bono  anual 
de  Navidad  establecido  por  ley  a  los 
empleados  en  Puerto  Rico  y  las  Islas 
Vírgenes estadounidenses y británicas.

afectadas, 

También,  nos  movilizamos 
rápida-
mente  para  ayudar  a  comunidades 
lanzando 
severamente 
el  fondo  Abrazando  a  Puerto  Rico, 
que  hoy  tiene  compromisos  de  más 
de  $6  millones,  incluyendo  nuestra 
contribución 
inicial  de  $1  millón. 
Agradecemos las donaciones generosas 
de  muchos  socios  y  amigos  que  nos 
permitieron  llevar  socorro  inmediato  a 
las áreas más afectadas por el desastre. 
El  fondo,  que  es  manejado  por  la 
Fundación  Banco  Popular,  ahora  está 
enfocado  en  apoyar  a  organizaciones 
comunitarias  en  la  implantación  de 
soluciones  innovadoras  a  problemas 
sociales apremiantes.

Aunque gran parte de la discusión del 
2017  naturalmente  gira  alrededor  de 
los huracanes, durante el año también 
alcanzamos otros logros importantes:

•  En  Puerto  Rico,  continuamos  forta- 
leciendo 
nuestra  posición  de 
liderazgo en el mercado. A pesar de 
la recesión económica prolongada y 
del efecto de los huracanes, nuestros 
balances  de  depósitos  aumentaron 
por $4,300 millones  y  nuestra base 
de  clientes  por  31,000.  Alcanzamos 
crecimiento,  además,  en  varias 
carteras,  como  las  de  préstamos 
comerciales y préstamos de auto.

•  En los Estados Unidos, aumentamos 
los  préstamos  comerciales  por  16%, 
lanzamos  una  iniciativa  de  banca 
privada  y 
fortalecimos  nuestra 
unidad  de  originación  hipotecaria. 

En Puerto Rico, nuestros 
balances de depósitos 
aumentaron por 
$4,300 millones y nuestra 
base de clientes por 31K. 

la 

transformación 
Continuamos 
de  nuestra 
red  de  sucursales, 
remodelando o relocalizando ocho de 
estas, lo que ha ayudado a promover 
el  crecimiento  de  depósitos  en  las 
sucursales.

•  Seguimos progresando en la simplifi-
cación  de  nuestra 
infraestructura 
de  tecnología  y  en  la  migración  de 
transacciones a canales digitales, para 
alcanzar mayores eficiencias y ofrecer 
una  experiencia  superior  a  nuestros 
clientes.  Los  depósitos  a  través  de 
canales  digitales  sobrepasaron  el 
40% del total de depósitos, tanto en 
Puerto Rico como los Estados Unidos.

•  Además, 

nuestros 
expandimos 
esfuerzos  por  atraer,  desarrollar 
y  retener  el  mejor  talento  en  los 
mercados  que  servimos.  Lanzamos 
y  fortalecimos  iniciativas  en  áreas 
como  adiestramientos,  diversidad  e 
inclusión y bienestar. 

Comenzamos  el  2018  con  entusiasmo, 
conscientes  de  los  retos,  pero  listos 
las  oportunidades 
para  aprovechar 
que sin duda surgirán. La economía de 
Puerto Rico continúa siendo el desafío 
principal que enfrentamos. Un entorno 
que era complicado de por sí debido a 
la situación fiscal y de la deuda pública, 

2017 INFORME ANUAL   |  11

POPULAR, INC. 
RESUMEN DEL AÑO

se tornó aún más retante tras el paso de 
los huracanes. Procesos que ya habían 
comenzado tendrán que ser ajustados 
para reflejar una nueva realidad.

impactó 

los  meses  posteriores  a 

los 
En 
la  actividad  económica 
huracanes, 
inevitablemente  por 
se 
demoras  en  el  restablecimiento  del 
servicio  eléctrico  en  Puerto  Rico. 
Sin  embargo,  nos  alienta  ver  señales 
de  que  la  situación  económica  en  la 
isla  ha  comenzado  a  estabilizarse. 
Algunas  métricas,  como  las  compras 
de  nuestros  clientes  con  tarjetas  de 
débito y las ventas de autos, ya están 
regresando  a  los  niveles  previos  a  los 
huracanes.  Se  ha  discutido  mucho 
sobre  la  aceleración  de  la  emigración 
después  de  los  huracanes.  Aunque  el 
aumento  es  innegable,  los  estimados 
varían considerablemente y todavía no 
está claro cuántos de los que se fueron 
de  la  Isla  regresarán  eventualmente, 
a  medida  que  la  situación  continúe 
estabilizándose.  A  fin  de  cuentas,  la 
solución para el tema de migración es 
acelerar  el  crecimiento  económico  en 
Puerto Rico.

El ritmo de la recuperación económica 
dependerá  en  gran  parte  de 
la 
rapidez  con  que  se  restablezca  el 
servicio eléctrico restante, así como la 
magnitud y la velocidad del flujo de los 
fondos  de  las  agencias  federales  y  de 
las compañías de seguros hacia Puerto 
Rico.  Estos  fondos,  que  se  estima 
excederán 
los  $25,000  millones, 
posiblemente servirán de estímulo a la 
economía a corto y mediano plazo.  

futuro  económico  de  Puerto 
El 
largo  plazo  dependerá  de 
Rico  a 
las  decisiones  que  se  tomen  sobre 
durante  el  proceso  de  reconstrucción. 
La  isla  enfrentaba  serios  problemas 
estructurales  antes  del  impacto  de 
los  huracanes.  Ahora  tenemos  una 

12  |  POPULAR, INC.

oportunidad única para hacer cambios 
significativos  en  áreas  como  energía, 
vivienda,  salud  y  educación.  Como  la 
principal  institución  financiera  en  la 
isla,  Popular  está  listo  para  jugar  un 
papel importante,  como hemos hecho 
a  través  de  nuestra  historia,  en  los 
esfuerzos por construir un Puerto Rico 
más fuerte y sustentable.

Nuestro negocio en los Estados Unidos 
continúa  teniendo  una 
importancia 
fuente 
estratégica  como  nuestra 
principal  de  diversificación  de  riesgo, 
expansión  de 
ingresos  y  potencial 
de  crecimiento.  Seguimos  enfocados 
en  diversificar  nuestra  cartera  de 
préstamos,  generar  ingresos  que  no 
provienen  de  intereses  y  transformar 
nuestra red de sucursales.

En  diciembre  del  2017,  develamos  un 
nuevo  marco  estratégico  fundamen-
tado  en  una  visión  de  brindar  una 
experiencia excelente a nuestros clientes, 
ofreciéndoles  soluciones  financieras  de 
una forma sencilla. Esta visión se apoya 
en cuatro pilares estratégicos:

Crecimiento 
rentable y sostenible                                  
Identificar oportunidades 
de crecimiento rentable 
y sostenible

Sencillez                      
Simplificar nuestra 
organización, optimizando 
nuestros procesos y nuestra 
plataforma tecnológica 
para reducir costos

Enfoque en el cliente         
Crear una cultura enfocada 
en el servicio al cliente y 
proveer una experiencia 
consistente a través de 
todos los canales

Preparados para el futuro                           
Fortalecer nuestra 
organización, atrayendo 
y desarrollando nuestro 
talento alrededor de las 
capacidades necesarias 
para el futuro y enfatizando 
nuestros controles 
internos para manejar 
efectivamente el riesgo.

Este  marco  asegura  que  consis-
tentemente  balanceemos 
nuestro 
enfoque 
necesidades 
entre 
presentes  y  futuras,  y  nos  ayuda 
los  pasos  necesarios 
a 
para  alcanzar  nuestros  objetivos 
estratégicos.

identificar 

las 

Aprovecho  esta  oportunidad  para 
expresar mi agradecimiento a la Junta 
de  Directores  y  a  mis  compañeros 
por  su  respuesta  extraordinaria  ante 
la  crisis  provocada  por  los  huracanes. 
No hubiésemos logrado lo que hicimos 
sin la dedicación y trabajo de nuestros 
empleados  en  Puerto  Rico  y  las  Islas 
Vírgenes estadounidenses y británicas, 
quienes respondieron de forma heroica, 
responsabilidades 
manejando 
en  Popular  a  la  vez  que  atendían 
situaciones  difíciles  en  sus  hogares. 
El  apoyo  de  nuestros  compañeros  en 
los  Estados  Unidos  también  fue  de 
mucho  valor  a  través  de  esos  meses 
tan complicados.

sus 

Quiero  agradecer  también  a  Néstor 
jefe  del 
O.  Rivera,  anteriormente 
Grupo  de  Banca  Individual,  quien  se 
retiró  en  el  2017  luego  de  una  larga  y 
exitosa  carrera  en  Popular  abarcando 
cerca de 50 años. El legado de Néstor 
perdurará,  pues  trabajó  para  crecer 
nuestra  red  de  sucursales  en  Puerto 
Rico,  ayudó  a  forjar  la  estrategia  de 
tecnología  de  Popular  y  sirvió  de 
mentor  a  generaciones  de  líderes  que 

COMPROMETIDOS CON 
NUESTROS CLIENTES, 
COMPAÑEROS Y COMUNIDADES

En  septiembre  del  2017,  Puerto  Rico  y  las  Islas  Vírgenes  enfrentaron  el  impacto 
catastrófico  de  los  poderosos  huracanes  Irma  y  María  en  un  periodo  de  dos 
semanas,  destruyendo  estructuras,  devastando  el  paisaje  natural  y  dejando  a 
poblaciones enteras sin acceso a electricidad, agua, telecomunicaciones, servicios 
médicos y suministros básicos. Popular demostró su compromiso inquebrantable 
con sus clientes, empleados y comunidades, restableciendo rápidamente el acceso 
a servicios bancarios y ofreciendo ayuda a los más necesitados.

Nuestros Clientes
Acceso  a  efectivo  y  a  otros  servicios 
bancarios  básicos  a  pesar  de  retos 
operacionales

  Operando  31%  de  las  sucursales  y 
los  cajeros  automáticos 
24%  de 
una  semana 
luego  del  Huracán 
María;  alcanzamos  92%  y  82%, 
respectivamente, para fin de año.

  Restablecimos la operación del centro 
de  llamadas  el  25  de  septiembre; 
reanudamos  el  servicio  24/7  el  23  de 
octubre. 

  Ofrecimos  servicio  ininterrumpido  a 
través del Internet y dispositivos móviles. 

Alivio y apoyo 

  Implantamos  una  moratoria  para 
crédito,  préstamos 
tarjetas  de 
personales,  préstamos  de  auto  e 
hipotecas.

  Eliminamos  los  cargos  en  cajeros 
automáticos  por  25  días  a  clientes 
instituciones 
nuestros  y  de  otras 
financieras.

  Abrimos  siete  centros  a  través  de  la 
isla  para  ofrecer  a  nuestros  clientes 
comerciales  lugares  de  trabajo  con 
acceso al Internet.

  Ofrecimos asesoría a clientes y al público 
general sobre el proceso de reclamación 
a FEMA y a compañías de seguro. 

Nuestra Gente
Asistencia Financiera 

  Ofrecimos  propiedades  del  banco  a 
empleados que necesitaban un hogar. 

Bienestar y apoyo

  Distribuimos  agua,  vales  de  comida  y 
paquetes  con  suministros  básicos  a 
empleados necesitados.

  Establecimos  centros  de  cuido  de 
niños para los hijos de empleados en 
nuestros edificios principales.

  Suspendimos  temporeramente  las 
restricciones  en  el  plan  médico  para 
asegurar  cuidado  en  casos  urgentes, 
extendimos  el  servicio  de  nuestro 
Centro Interno de Salud y Bienestar a los 
dependientes de nuestros empleados y 
coordinamos programas especiales para 
atender aspectos emocionales. 

Nuestras Comunidades 
Abrazando a Puerto Rico

  Establecimos  el  fondo  Abrazando  a 
Puerto  Rico  con  una  contribución 
inicial de $1 millón; ha alcanzado $6.1 
millones en compromisos. 

  Completamos  35  misiones  para  dis-
libras  de 
tribuir  más  de  800,000 
suministros  básicos,  impactando  más 
de 140,000 individuos.

en 

  Enfocados 

proyectos 

para 
estabilizar  comunidades  a  través 
de  acceso  a  agua  potable  y  energía 
solar, y para fomentar la recuperación 
económica de Puerto Rico.

aprendieron la importancia de nuestros 
valores  y  cultura  organizacional  a 
través  de  su  consejo  y  ejemplo.  Luis 
Cestero,  quien  se  unió  a  Popular  en 
el  1995  y  tiene  aproximadamente  20 
años  de  experiencia  en  el  Grupo  de 
Banca Individual, asumió el liderato del 
grupo  tras  el  retiro  de  Néstor.  Luis  ha 
demostrado su profundo conocimiento 
del negocio y, aún más importante, sus 
cualidades  como  líder,  ganándose  el 
respeto de todos los que le rodean.

Popular  es  hoy  una  organización 
mucho más fuerte de lo que era antes 
de los huracanes del 2017. Trabajamos 
en equipo, nos adaptamos al cambio, 
desarrollamos  soluciones  creativas  y 
respondimos  decisivamente.  Demos- 
tramos  todo  lo  que  podemos  lograr 
cuando tenemos un propósito común.

Comenzamos  el  2018,  año  en  el  que 
celebramos  nuestro  125  aniversario, 
comprometidos  con  preservar  el 
las  actitudes  que  nos 
espíritu  y 
permitieron no solo enfrentar los retos 
del  2017,  sino  fortalecernos  como 
resultado de ellos. No necesitamos una 
crisis para mostrar lo mejor de nosotros. 
nuestros 
compañeros, 
Nuestros 
clientes,  nuestras  comunidades  y 
nuestros accionistas esperan, merecen 
y recibirán lo mejor de nosotros, todos 
los días.

Sinceramente,

IGNACIO ÁLVAREZ
Presidente y Principal Oficial Ejecutivo
Popular, Inc.

  Aumentamos el Fondo de Emergencia 
de Empleados y distribuimos más de 
$800,000 a empleados que sufrieron 
pérdidas severas. 

  Adelantamos  la  nómina  la  semana 
del huracán y aceleramos el pago del 
bono de Navidad.

  Apoyamos  varias  iniciativas,  como 
Unidos por Puerto Rico y Somos una Voz.

  Evolucionando  a  una  nueva  fase 
enfocada  en  transicionar  nuestras 
comunidades  en  una  recuperación  a 
largo plazo.

2017 INFORME ANUAL   |  13

25 AÑOS
RESUMEN FINANCIERO HISTÓRICO

(Dólares en millones, excepto información 
por acción) 

Información Financiera Seleccionada

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Ingreso neto (Pérdida Neta)

 $109.4 

 $124.7 

 $146.4 

 $185.2 

 $209.6 

 $232.3 

 $257.6 

 $276.1 

 $304.5 

 $351.9 

 $470.9 

Activos

Préstamos Brutos 

Depósitos

 11,513.4 

 12,778.4 

 15,675.5 

 16,764.1 

 19,300.5 

 23,160.4 

 25,460.5 

 28,057.1 

 30,744.7 

 33,660.4 

 36,434.7 

 6,346.9 

 7,781.3 

 8,677.5 

 9,779.0 

 11,376.6 

 13,078.8 

 14,907.8 

 16,057.1 

 18,168.6 

 19,582.1 

 22,602.2 

 8,522.7 

 9,012.4 

 9,876.7 

 10,763.3 

 11,749.6 

 13,672.2 

 14,173.7 

 14,804.9 

 16,370.0 

 17,614.7 

 18,097.8 

Capital de Accionistas

 834.2 

 1,002.4 

 1,141.7 

 1,262.5 

 1,503.1 

 1,709.1 

 1,661.0 

 1,993.6 

 2,272.8 

 2,410.9 

 2,754.4 

Valor agregado en el mercado

 $1,014.7 

 $923.7 

 $1,276.8 

 $2,230.5 

 $3,350.3 

 $4,611.7 

 $3,790.2 

 $3,578.1 

 $3,965.4 

 $4,476.4 

 $5,960.2 

Rendimiento de Activos Promedio (ROAA)

1.02%

1.02%

1.04%

1.14%

1.14%

1.14%

1.08%

1.04%

1.09%

1.11%

1.36%

Rendimiento de Capital Común Promedio 
(ROACE)

Por Acción Común1

13.80%

13.80%

14.22%

16.17%

15.83%

15.41%

15.45%

15.00%

14.84%

16.29%

19.30%

Ingreso neto (Pérdida Neta) - Básico

 $4.18 

 $4.59 

 $5.24 

 $6.69 

 $7.51 

 $8.26 

 $9.19 

 $9.85 

 $10.87 

 $13.05 

 $17.36 

Ingreso neto (Pérdida Neta) - Diluido

Dividendos (Declarados)

Valor en los Libros

Precio en el Mercado

Activos por Área Geográfica

Puerto Rico

Estados Unidos

Caribe y Latinoamérica

Total

Sistema de Distribución Tradicional 

Sucursales Bancarias

Puerto Rico

Islas Vírgenes

Estados Unidos2

Subtotal

Oficinas No Bancarias

Popular Financial Holdings

Popular Cash Express

Popular Finance

Popular Auto

Popular Leasing, U.S.A.

Popular Mortgage

Popular Securities

Popular One

Popular Insurance y         
Popular Risk Services

Popular Insurance Agency, U.S.A.

Popular Insurance V.I.

E-LOAN

EVERTEC

Subtotal
Total

Sistema Electrónico de Distribución 
Cajeros Automáticos 
Propios y Administrados

Puerto Rico

Islas Vírgenes

Estados Unidos

Total

Empleados
(equivalente a tiempo completo)

14  |  POPULAR, INC.

 4.18 

 1.20 

 4.59 

 1.25 

 5.24 

 1.54 

 6.69 

 1.83 

 31.86 

 34.35 

 39.52 

 43.98 

 7.51 

 2.00 

 51.83 

 8.26 

 2.50 

 9.19 

 3.00 

 9.85 

 3.20 

 10.87 

 3.80 

 59.32 

 57.54 

 69.62 

 79.67 

 13.05 

 4.00 

 91.02 

 17.36 

 5.05 

 96.60 

 39.38 

 35.16 

 48.44 

 84.38 

 123.75 

 170.00 

 139.69 

 131.56 

 145.40 

 169.00 

 224.25 

79%

16%

5%

76%

20%

4%

75%

21%

4%

74%

22%

4%

74%

23%

3%

71%

25%

4%

71%

25%

4%

72%

26%

2%

68%

30%

2%

66%

32%

2%

62%

36%

2%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

165

8

32

205

58

26

8

92

297

234

8

11

253

166

8

34

208

73

28

10

166

8

40

214

91

31

9

3

111

319

134

348

262

8

26

296

281

8

38

327

178

8

44

230

102

39

8

3

1

153

383

327

9

53

389

201

8

63

272

117

44

10

7

3

2

183

455

391

17

71

479

198

8

89

295

128

51

48

10

8

11

2

258

553

421

59

94

574

199

8

91

298

137

102

47

12

10

13

2

4

327

625

442

68

99

609

199

8

95

302

136

132

61

12

11

21

3

2

4

382

684

478

37

109

624

196

8

96

300

149

154

55

20

13

25

4

2

1

4

427

727

524

39

118

681

195

8

96

299

153

195

36

18

13

29

7

2

1

1

5

460

759

539

53

131

723

193

8

97

298

181

129

43

18

11

32

8

2

1

1

5

431

729

557

57

129

743

 7,533 

 7,606 

 7,815 

 7,996 

 8,854 

 10,549 

 11,501 

 10,651 

 11,334 

 11,037 

 11,474 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

 $489.9 

 $540.7 

 $357.7 

 $(64.5)

 $(1,243.9)

 $(573.9)

 $137.4 

 $151.3 

 $245.3 

 $599.3 

 $(313.5)

 $895.3 

 $216.7 

 $107.7 

 44,401.6 

 48,623.7 

 47,404.0 

 44,411.4 

 38,882.8 

 34,736.3 

 38,815.0 

 37,348.4 

 36,506.9 

 35,748.8 

 33,086.8 

 35,761.7 

 38,661.6 

 44,277.3 

 28,742.3 

 31,710.2 

 32,736.9 

 29,911.0 

 26,268.9 

 23,803.9 

 26,458.9 

 25,314.4 

 25,093.6 

 24,706.7 

 22,053.2 

 23,129.2 

 23,435.4 

 24,942.5 

 20,593.2 

 22,638.0 

 24,438.3 

 28,334.4 

 27,550.2 

 25,924.9 

 26,762.2 

 27,942.1 

 27,000.6 

 26,711.1 

 24,807.5 

 27,209.7 

 30,496.2 

 35,453.5 

 3,104.6 

 3,449.2 

 3,620.3 

 3,581.9 

 3,268.4 

 2,538.8 

 3,800.5 

 3,918.8 

 4,110.0 

 4,626.2 

 4,267.4 

 5,105.3 

 5,198.0 

 5,103.9 

 $7,685.6 

 $5,836.5 

 $5,003.4 

 $2,968.3 

 $1,455.1 

 $1,445.4 

 $3,211.4 

 $1,426.0 

 $2,144.9 

 $2,970.6 

 $3,523.4 

 $2,936.6 

 $4,548.1 

 $3,622.4 

1.23%

1.17%

0.74%

-0.14%

-3.04%

-1.57%

0.36%

0.40%

0.68%

1.65%

-0.89%

2.54%

0.58%

0.26%

17.60%

17.12%

9.73%

-2.08%

-44.47%

-32.95%

4.37%

4.01%

6.37%

14.43%

-7.04%

19.16%

4.07%

1.96%

 $17.95 

 $19.78 

 $12.41 

 $(2.73)

 $(45.51)

 $2.39 

 $(0.62)

 $1.44 

 $2.36 

 $5.80 

 $(3.08)

 $8.66 

 $2.06 

 17.92 

 6.20 

 19.74 

 6.40 

 12.41 

 6.40 

 (2.73)

 (45.51)

 6.40 

 4.80 

 2.39 

 0.20 

 (0.62)

 - 

 1.44 

 - 

 109.45 

 118.22 

 123.18 

 121.24 

 63.29 

 38.91 

 36.67 

 37.71 

 288.30 

 211.50 

 179.50 

 106.00 

 51.60 

 22.60 

 31.40 

 13.90 

55%

43%

2%

53%

45%

2%

52%

45%

3%

59%

38%

3%

64%

33%

3%

65%

32%

3%

74%

23%

3%

74%

23%

3%

 - 

 39.35 

 20.79 

73%

24%

3%

 2.35 

 5.78 

 (3.08)

 - 

 - 

 8.65 

 0.30 

 2.06 

 0.60 

$1.02 

$1.02 

 1.00 

 44.26 

 40.76 

 48.79 

 49.60 

 49.51 

 28.73 

 34.05 

 28.34 

 43.82 

 35.49 

72%

25%

3%

80%

17%

3%

75%

22%

3%

75%

23%

2%

76%

22%

2%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

179

8

139

173

8

101

185

8

96

183

9

94

175

9

92

171

9

90

168

9

47

173

9

50

171

9

51

168

9

51

 326 

 282 

 289 

 286 

 276 

 270 

 224 

 232 

 231 

 228 

192

8

128

328

183

114

43

18

15

30

9

2

1

1

5

 194 

 8 

 136 

 338 

 191 

 8 

 142 

 341 

196

8

147

 351 

 212 

 158 

134

 4 

 49 

 17 

 14 

 33 

 12 

 2 

 1 

 1 

 1 

 5 

 52 

 15 

 11 

 32 

 12 

 2 

 1 

 1 

 1 

 7 

51

12

24

32

13

2

1

1

1

9

2

9

12

22

32

7

1

1

1

1

9

421

749

 351 

 689 

 292 

 633 

 280 

 631 

 97 

 423 

568

59

163

790

 583 

 61 

 181 

825

 605 

 65 

 192 

862

615

69

187

871

605

74

176

855

10

33

6

1

1

1

9

 61 

 343 

571

77

136

784

10

36

6

1

1

1

10

37

4

4

1

1

1

10

37

4

5

1

1

1

9

38

3

6

1

1

1

9

25

3

6

1

1

1

9

24

3

6

2

1

1

9

17

2

5

2

1

1

9

14

2

5

2

1

1

 55 

 344 

 58 

 344 

 59 

 335 

 59 

 329 

 46 

 270 

 46 

 278 

 37 

 268 

 34 

 262 

624

17

138

779

613

20

135

768

597

20

134

751

599

22

132

753

602

21

83

706

622

21

87

730

635

20

101

756

633

22

110

765

 12,139 

 13,210 

 12,508 

 12,303 

 10,587 

 9,407 

 8,277 

 8,329 

 8,072 

 8,059 

 7,752 

 7,810 

 7,828 

 7,784 

1Los datos de las acciones comunes han sido ajustados por las divisiones en acciones y la división de acciones a la inversa realizada en mayo 2012.
2Excluye una sucursal de Banco Popular de Puerto Rico en Nueva York.

2017 INFORME ANUAL   |  15

POPULAR, INC. 
GERENCIA Y JUNTA DE DIRECTORES

Gerencia

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN
Presidente Ejecutivo 
de la Junta de Directores 
Popular, Inc.

IGNACIO ÁLVAREZ
Presidente y 
Principal Oficial Ejecutivo
Popular, Inc.

CAMILLE BURCKHART
Vicepresidenta Ejecutiva y 
Principal Oficial de Informática y 
Estrategia Digital 
Grupo de Innovación, Tecnología y 
Operaciones
Popular, Inc. 

LUIS CESTERO
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Grupo de Banca Individual
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

MANUEL A. CHINEA
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Popular, Inc.
Principal Oficial de Operaciones
Popular Community Bank

JAVIER D. FERRER
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo, 
Principal Oficial Legal y 
Secretario Corporativo
Grupo de Consejería General y 
Asuntos Corporativos
Popular, Inc.

JUAN O. GUERRERO
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Grupo de Servicios Financieros y 
Seguros
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

GILBERTO MONZÓN
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Grupo de Crédito a Individuo 
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

EDUARDO J. NEGRÓN
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Grupo de Administración 
Popular, Inc.

ELI S. SEPÚLVEDA
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo 
Grupo de Crédito Comercial 
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

LIDIO V. SORIANO
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo y 
Principal Oficial de Riesgo 
Grupo Corporativo de 
Manejo de Riesgo 
Popular, Inc.

CARLOS J. VÁZQUEZ
Vicepresidente Ejecutivo y 
Principal Oficial Financiero 
Popular, Inc.

Junta de Directores

RICHARD L. CARRIÓN
Presidente Ejecutivo 
de la Junta de Directores 
Popular, Inc.

IGNACIO ÁLVAREZ
Presidente y 
Principal Oficial Ejecutivo
Popular, Inc.

JOAQUÍN E. 
BACARDÍ, III
Presidente de la 
Junta de Directores
Edmundo B. Fernández, Inc.

ALEJANDRO M. 
BALLESTER
Presidente
Ballester Hermanos, Inc.

JOHN W. DIERCKSEN
Principal
Greycrest, LLC

MARÍA LUISA FERRÉ
Presidenta y 
Principal Oficial Ejecutiva
FRG, Inc.

DAVID E. GOEL
Socio Gerente General
Matrix Capital 
Management Company, LP

C. KIM GOODWIN
Inversionista Privada

WILLIAM J.
TEUBER JR.
Inversionista Privado

CARLOS A. UNANUE
Presidente
Goya de Puerto Rico

Financial Review and
Supplementary Information

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Statistical Summaries

Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2

76-80

81

82

84

85

86

87

88

89

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

1

Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

Overview

Critical Accounting Policies / Estimates

Statement of Operations Analysis

Net Interest Income

Provision for Loan Losses

Non-Interest Income

Operating Expenses

Income Taxes

Fourth Quarter Results

Reportable Segment Results

Statement of Financial Condition Analysis

Assets

Liabilities

Stockholders’ Equity

Regulatory Capital

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Other Commitments

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Risk Management

Risk Management Framework

Market / Interest Rate Risk

Liquidity

Credit Risk

Enterprise Risk and Operational Risk Management

Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Issued But Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

Adjusted net income – Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Statistical Summaries

Statements of Financial Condition

Statements of Operations

Average Balance Sheet and Summary of Net Interest Income

Quarterly Financial Data

2

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

3

4

12

20

20

24

24

26

27

27

28

31

31

34

35

35

37

37

39

39

40

46

51

72

73

73

76

76

77

78

80

Inc. and its

following Management’s Discussion

The
and Analysis
(“MD&A”) provides information which management believes is
necessary for understanding the financial performance of
Popular,
(the “Corporation” or
subsidiaries
“Popular”). All accompanying tables, consolidated financial
statements, and corresponding notes included in this “Financial
Review and Supplementary Information - 2017 Annual Report”
(“the report”) should be considered an integral part of this
MD&A.

Inc’s

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information included in this report contains certain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
(“Popular,” the
statements may relate to Popular,
“Corporation,” “we,” “us,” “our”) financial condition, results of
operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business,
including, but not limited to, statements with respect to 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 and new accounting standards
financial condition and results of
on the Corporation’s
operations, the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on us, and
the anticipated impact of our acquisition and assumption, if
consummated, of certain assets and liabilities of Reliable
Financial Services and Reliable Finance Holding Company,
subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company, related to Wells
Fargo’s retail auto loan and commercial auto dealership
financing business in Puerto Rico (the “Reliable Transaction”).
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.

based on management’s

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
current
performance
and are
involve certain risks,
expectations and, by their nature,
uncertainties, estimates and assumptions by management that
are difficult to predict. Various 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. Factors that might cause such a
difference include, but are not limited to, the rate of growth or
decline in the economy and employment levels, as well as
general business and economic conditions in the geographic
areas we serve and,
in Puerto Rico, where a
significant portion of our business in concentrated; the impact
of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the economies of Puerto Rico
and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and on our customers
and our business, including the impact of measures taken by us

in particular,

the performance of

to address customer needs; the impact of the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis, and the measures taken and to be
taken by the Puerto Rico Government and the Federally-
appointed oversight board, on the economy, our customers and
our business; the impact of the Commonwealth’s fiscal and
economic condition on the value and performance of our
portfolio of Puerto Rico government securities and loans to
governmental entities, as well as on our commercial, mortgage
and consumer loan portfolios where private borrowers could be
directly affected by governmental action; changes in interest
rates, as well as the magnitude of such changes; the fiscal and
monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies;
changes in federal bank regulatory and supervisory policies,
including required levels of capital and the impact of proposed
capital standards on our capital ratios; the impact of the Dodd-
Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
(Financial Reform Act) on the Corporation’s businesses,
business practices and costs of operations; regulatory approvals
that may be necessary to undertake certain actions or
consummate strategic transactions such as acquisitions and
dispositions; the relative strength or weakness of the consumer
and commercial credit sectors and of the real estate markets in
Puerto Rico and the other markets in which borrowers are
located;
the stock and bond markets;
competition in the financial services industry; additional FDIC
assessments; and possible legislative, tax or regulatory changes;
a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or
infrastructure as a result of cyberattacks or otherwise, including
those of EVERTEC,
Inc., our provider of core financial
transaction processing and information technology services,
and other third parties providing services to us; and risks
if consummated. Other
related to the Reliable Transaction,
possible
results or
performance to differ materially from those expressed in these
forward-looking statements include the following: negative
economic conditions that adversely affect the housing prices,
the job market, consumer confidence and spending habits
which may
level of
non-performing assets, charge-offs and provision expense; risks
associated with maintaining customer relationships from our
acquisition of certain assets and deposits (other than certain
brokered deposits) of Doral Bank from the FDIC as receiver;
changes in interest rates and market
liquidity which may
reduce interest margins, impact funding sources and affect our
ability to originate and distribute financial products in the
primary and secondary markets; changes in market rates and
prices which may adversely impact the value of financial assets
and liabilities; liabilities resulting from litigation and regulatory
investigations; changes in accounting standards, rules and
interpretations; our ability to grow our core businesses;
decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change
our business mix; and management’s ability to identify and
manage these and other risks. Moreover, the outcome of legal

among other

could cause

events or

things,

factors

affect,

that

the

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

3

and regulatory proceedings, as discussed in “Part I, Item 3.
Legal Proceedings”, is inherently uncertain and depends on
judicial interpretations of law and the findings of regulators,
judges and juries.

All forward-looking statements included in this report are
based upon information available to the Corporation as of the
date of this report, and other than as required by law, including
the requirements of applicable securities laws, management
assumes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-
looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated
events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

The description of

the Corporation’s business and risk
factors contained in Item 1 and 1A of its Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2017 discusses additional
information
about the business of the Corporation and the material risk
factors that, in addition to the other information in this report,
readers should consider.

OVERVIEW
The Corporation is a diversified, publicly-owned financial
holding company subject to the supervision and regulation of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The
Corporation has operations in Puerto Rico, the United States
(“U.S.”) mainland, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. In
Puerto Rico, the Corporation provides retail, mortgage and
commercial banking services through its principal banking
subsidiary, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”), as well as
investment banking, broker-dealer, auto and equipment leasing
and financing, and insurance services through specialized
subsidiaries. The Corporation’s mortgage origination business is
conducted under the brand name Popular Mortgage, a division
of BPPR. In the U.S. mainland, the Corporation operates Banco
Popular North America (“BPNA”), including its wholly-owned
subsidiary E-LOAN, Inc. The BPNA franchise operates under
the brand name of Popular Community Bank. BPNA focuses
efforts and resources on the core community banking business.
BPNA operates branches in New York, New Jersey and
Southern Florida. E-LOAN, Inc. marketed deposit accounts
under its name for the benefit of BPNA until March 31, 2017,
when said operations were transferred to Popular Direct, a
division of BPNA. Commencing in July 2017, the E-LOAN
brand is being used by BPPR to offer personal loans through an
online platform. Note 41 to the consolidated financial
the Corporation’s
information about
statements presents
business segments.

The Corporation has several investments which it accounts
for under the equity method. These include the 16.10% interest
in EVERTEC, a 15.84% interest in Centro Financiero BHD
Leon, S.A. (“BHD Leon”), a 24.9% interest in PR Asset Portfolio
2013-1 International, LLC and a 24.9% interest in PRLP 2011
Holdings LLP, among other investments in limited partnerships
which mainly hold investment securities. EVERTEC provides
transaction processing services throughout the Caribbean and

4

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

services

Latin America, including servicing many of the Corporation’s
systems infrastructure and transaction processing businesses.
BHD León is a diversified financial
institution
operating in the Dominican Republic. PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1
International, LLC is a joint venture to which the Corporation
sold construction and commercial loans and commercial and
residential real estate owned assets, most of which were
non-performing, with a fair value of $306 million during the
year 2013. PRLP 2011 Holdings LLP is a joint venture to which
the Corporation sold construction and commercial loans, most
of which were non-performing, with a fair value of $148 million
during the year 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2017,
the Corporation recorded approximately $34.1 million in
earnings from these investments on an aggregate basis. The
carrying amounts of these investments as of December 31, 2017
were $215.3 million. Refer to Note 17 to the consolidated
financial
the
for
Corporation’s investments under the equity method.

information of

statements

additional

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
Entry into an Agreement to Acquire Wells Fargo’s Auto
Finance Business in Puerto Rico
On February 14, 2018, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico entered
into an agreement
to acquire and assume from Reliable
Financial Services, Inc. and Reliable Finance Holding Company,
subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”),
certain assets and liabilities related to Wells Fargo’s auto
finance business in Puerto Rico (“Reliable”).

As part of

the transaction, Banco Popular will acquire
approximately $1.5 billion in retail auto loans and $340 million
in commercial
loans. The acquired auto loan portfolio has
credit characteristics that are similar to Banco Popular’s existing
self-originated portfolio. Banco Popular will also acquire certain
other assets and assume certain liabilities of Reliable.

The purchase price for the all-cash transaction is expected to
be approximately $1.7 billion, reflecting an aggregate discount
of 4.5% on the assets to be acquired. Banco Popular will fund
the purchase price with existing liquidity. The transaction is
to the receipt by the parties of any further
not subject
to satisfaction of customary
regulatory approvals. Subject
closing conditions, Popular anticipates the transaction to close
during the second quarter of 2018 and be accretive to earnings.
On or after closing, Reliable employees will become
employees of Banco Popular. Reliable will continue operating
independently as a division of Banco Popular for a period of
time after closing to provide continuity of service to Reliable
customers while allowing Popular to assess best practices before
Popular Auto’s
integrating
operations.

operations with

Reliable’s

Hurricanes Irma and Maria
During September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria (the
“hurricanes”), impacted Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin

Islands, causing extensive damage and disrupting the markets
in which Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”) does
business.

On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in the
USVI and the BVI as a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-
Simpson scale, causing catastrophic wind and water damage to
the islands’ infrastructure, homes and businesses. Hurricane
Irma’s winds and resulting flooding also impacted certain
municipalities of Puerto Rico, causing the failure of electricity
infrastructure in a significant portion of the island. While
hurricane Irma also struck Popular’s operations in Florida,
neither our operations nor those of our clients in the region
were materially impacted.

electrical power, other basic utility

Two weeks later, on September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria,
made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 hurricane, causing
extensive destruction and flooding throughout Puerto Rico.
Following the passage of Hurricane Maria, all Puerto Rico was
left without
and
infrastructure services (such as water, communications, ports
and other transportation networks) were severely curtailed and
the government imposed a mandatory curfew. The hurricanes
caused a significant disruption to the island’s economic activity.
and
Most
wholesalers, financial institutions, manufacturing facilities and
hotels, were closed for several days.

establishments,

including

business

retailers

remains

Puerto Rico and the USVI were declared disaster zones by
President Trump due to the impact of the hurricanes, thus
making them eligible for Federal assistance. Notwithstanding
the significant recovery operation that is underway by the
Federal, state and local governments, as of the date of this
report, many businesses and homes in Puerto Rico and the
and
remain without power, other basic utility
USVI
infrastructure
and many
businesses are partially operating or remain closed and others
have permanently closed. Electronic transactions, a significant
source of revenue for the bank, declined significantly in the
months following the hurricanes as a result of the lack of power
and telecommunication services. Several reports indicate that
the hurricanes have also accelerated the outmigration trends
that Puerto Rico was experiencing, with many residents moving
to the mainland United States, either on a temporary or
permanent basis.

significantly impacted,

tax revenues. Employment

The damages caused by the hurricanes are substantial and
have had a material adverse impact on economic activity in
Puerto Rico, as reflected by, among other things, the slowdown
in production and sales activity and the reduction in the
government’s
levels are also
expected to decrease at least in the short-term. It is still,
however, too early, to fully assess and quantify the extent of the
damage caused by the hurricanes, as well as their long-term
economic impact on economic activity. Furthermore,
the
hurricanes severely damaged or destroyed buildings, homes and
other structures, impacting the value of such properties, some

is generally insured,

of which may serve as collateral to our loans. While our
the value of such insured
collateral
structures, as well as other structures unaffected by the
hurricanes, may be significantly impacted. Although some of
the impact of the hurricanes, including its short-term impact on
economic activity, may be offset by recovery and reconstruction
activity and the influx of Federal emergency funds and private
insurance proceeds,
it is too early to know the amount of
Federal and private insurance money to be received and
whether such transfers will significantly offset the negative
economic, fiscal and demographic impact of the hurricanes.

business

continuity

Prior to the hurricanes, the Corporation had implemented
its
action program. Although the
Corporation’s business critical systems experienced minimal
outages as a result of the storms, the Corporation’s physical
operations in Puerto Rico, the USVI and the BVI, including its
branch and ATM networks, were materially disrupted by the
storms mostly due to lack of electricity and communication as
well as limited accessibility.

After the hurricanes, Popular has worked diligently to
provide service to the Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands markets,
including reopening retail locations and providing assistance to
the communities it serves. A priority for Popular has been to
maintain cash in its branches and ATM’s and to mobilize its
workforce to ensure continuity of service to its customers and
that of other financial institutions. Popular has implemented
initiatives to provide assistance to individuals and
several
businesses impacted by the hurricanes. Actions taken by
Popular, directly or through its affiliated P.R. and U.S.-based
foundations, include:

Payment Moratoriums. Payment moratoriums for eligible
customers in mortgage, consumer, auto and commercial loans,
subject to certain terms and conditions.

Fee Waivers. The waiver of certain fees and service charges,
including late-payment charges and ATM transaction fees in
hurricane-affected areas.

Other

Initiatives.

Employee Relief. Popular increased the Employee Relief
Fund to $750,000 to assist affected employees. Popular also
assisted employees by providing means to obtain water, food
and other supplies, child care services, orientation on how to
submit claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(“FEMA”) and other special offers.
Charitable

Corporation’s
philanthropic arms, Fundación Banco Popular and the Popular
Community Bank Foundation, launched relief efforts for the
victims of hurricane Irma and Maria, through the “Embracing
Puerto Rico” and “Embracing the Islands” campaigns, to which
the
Popular has donated $1.2 million. As needs unfold,
Foundations are expected to direct
funding to address
immediate and long-term needs arising from the impact of the
hurricanes. Popular also contributed to “Unidos por Puerto
Rico”, a fundraising campaign spearheaded by Puerto Rico’s
First Lady and was one of two sponsors of the “Somos Una

The

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

5

Voz” concert that has raised over $35 million for earthquake
victims in Mexico and hurricane victims in Texas, Florida,
Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Fundación Banco Popular is
leveraging the relationships it has developed with non-profit
organizations and community leaders throughout its almost
40-year history, delivering assistance directly to those who need
it most.

During the fourth quarter of 2017,

the Corporation
continued normalizing its operations after the impact of the
hurricanes. The government’s restoration of the electric and
telecommunication services in the areas in which our branch
factor leading the
network operates was the most critical
operate
Corporation
conditions.
Reconstruction of
the island’s electric infrastructure and
restoration of the telecommunications network remain the most
critical
recovery from the
for Puerto Rico’s
hurricanes.

challenges

improved

under

to

and operational disruption in the Corporation’s mortgage
origination, servicing and loss mitigation activities. These
resulted in a decrease in revenue of approximately $31 million
when compared to pre-hurricane levels.

While significant progress has been made in economic and
transactional activity since September, the continued impact on
transactional and collection based revenues will depend on the
speed at which electricity, telecommunications and general
merchant services can be restored across the region.

We expect

the financial

the hurricanes to continue to impact

the
in future periods. For additional
Corporation’s earnings
information of
impact associated with the
hurricanes, refer to Note 2 to the accompanying Financial
Statements. Also, refer to the Net Interest Income, Non-Interest
Income, Operating Expenses and Credit Quality sections in this
MD&A for additional discussions of
the
hurricanes in the Corporation’s financial statements.

the impact of

Financial impact of the hurricanes
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
recorded $88.0 million in pre-tax hurricane-related expenses,
including an incremental provision for
loan losses of
$67.7 million, which includes $5.8 million for the covered loan
portfolio. These amounts are net of amounts receivable for
related insurance claims of $1.1 million related to physical
damages to the Corporation’s premises, equipment and other
real estate owned (“OREO”). Refer to additional information on
Note 2 to the Financial Statements, Hurricanes Irma and Maria,
and the Provision for Loan Losses and Operating Expenses
sections of this MD&A.

In addition to the incremental provision and direct
operating expenses, results for the year ended December 31,
2017 were impacted by the hurricanes in the form of a
reduction in revenue
resulting from reduced merchant
transaction activity, the waiver of certain late fees and service
including ATM transaction fees, to businesses and
charges,
consumers in hurricane-affected areas, as well as the economic

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”)
was signed into law by President Trump. The Act, among other
things, reduced the maximum corporate tax rate from 35% to
21% in the U.S. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2017
the Corporation recorded an income
tax expense of
$168.4 million, related to the write-down of the deferred tax
asset (“DTA”) from its U.S. operations.

The Act contains other provisions, effective on January 1,
2018, which may impact the Corporation’s tax calculations and
related income tax expense in future years.

Table 1 provides selected financial data for the past five
years. For purposes of the discussions, assets subject to loss
sharing agreements with the FDIC, including loans and other
real estate owned, are referred to as “covered assets” or
“covered loans” since the Corporation expects to be reimbursed
for 80% of any future losses on those assets, subject to the
terms of the FDIC loss sharing agreements.

6

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Table 1 - Selected Financial Data

(Dollars in thousands, except per common share data)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

2017

Years ended December 31,
2015

2014

2016

2013

Interest income
Interest expense
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses:
Non-covered loans
Covered loans
Non-interest income
Operating expenses
Income tax expense (benefit)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock

PER COMMON SHARE DATA
Net income (loss):

Basic:

From continuing operations
From discontinued operations
Total
Diluted:

From continuing operations
From discontinued operations
Total

Dividends declared
Common equity per share
Market value per common share
Outstanding shares:
Average - basic
Average - assuming dilution
End of period
AVERAGE BALANCES

Net loans [1]
Earning assets
Total assets
Deposits
Borrowings
Total stockholders’ equity
PERIOD END BALANCE

Net loans [1]
Allowance for loan losses
Earning assets
Total assets
Deposits
Borrowings
Total stockholders’ equity

SELECTED RATIOS

$ 1,725,944 $ 1,634,573 $ 1,603,014 $ 1,633,543 $ 1,647,940
303,366
1,344,574

212,518
1,422,055

194,031
1,408,983

223,980
1,501,964

688,471
945,072

319,682
5,742
419,167
1,257,196
230,830
107,681
–

107,681 $
103,958 $

171,126
(1,110)
297,936
1,255,635
78,784
215,556
1,135
216,691 $
212,968 $

217,458
24,020
519,541
1,288,221
(495,172)
893,997
1,347
895,344 $
891,621 $

223,999
46,135
386,515
1,193,684
58,279
(190,510)
(122,980)
(313,490) $
(317,213) $

536,710
69,396
791,013
1,221,990
(251,327)
558,818
40,509
599,327
595,604

1.02 $
–
1.02 $

1.02 $
–
1.02 $
1.00 $
49.51
35.49

2.05 $
0.01
2.06 $

2.05 $
0.01
2.06 $
0.60 $
49.60
43.82

8.65 $
0.01
8.66 $

8.64 $
0.01
8.65 $
0.30 $
48.79
28.34

(1.88) $
(1.20)
(3.08) $

(1.88) $
(1.20)
(3.08) $
– $

40.76
34.05

5.41
0.39
5.80

5.39
0.39
5.78
–
44.26
28.73

101,966,429
102,045,336
102,068,981

103,275,264
103,377,283
103,790,932

102,967,186
103,124,309
103,618,976

102,848,792
102,848,792
103,476,847

102,693,685
103,061,475
103,397,699

$
$

$

$

$

$
$

$ 23,511,293 $ 23,062,242 $ 23,045,308 $ 22,366,750 $ 22,799,878
29,741,099
31,451,081
36,266,993
35,186,305
24,571,382
26,778,582
4,291,861
2,757,334
4,176,349
4,704,862

33,713,158
37,613,742
29,066,010
2,339,399
5,278,477

37,668,573
41,404,139
33,182,522
2,000,840
5,345,244

29,897,273
35,181,857
24,647,355
3,514,203
4,555,752

$ 24,942,463 $ 23,435,446 $ 23,129,230 $ 22,053,217 $ 24,706,719
640,555
31,521,963
35,748,752
26,711,145
3,644,665
4,626,150

537,111
31,717,124
35,761,733
27,209,723
2,425,853
5,105,324

540,651
34,861,193
38,661,609
30,496,224
2,055,477
5,197,957

623,426
40,680,553
44,277,337
35,453,508
2,023,485
5,103,905

601,792
29,594,365
33,086,771
24,807,535
2,994,761
4,267,382

Net interest margin (taxable equivalent basis) [2]
Return on average total assets
Return on average common stockholders’ equity
Tier I Capital to risk-adjusted assets
Total Capital to risk-adjusted assets

4.28%
0.26
1.96
16.30
19.22

4.48%
0.58
4.07
16.48
19.48

4.74%
2.54
19.16
16.21
18.78

3.45%
(0.89)
(7.04)
18.13
19.41

4.73%
1.65
14.43
19.15
20.42

Includes loans held-for-sale and covered loans.

[1]
[2] Net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes the impact of the cost associated with the refinancing of structured repos at BPNA and the

accelerated amortization of the discount related to the TARP funds amounting to $39.2 million and $414.1 million, respectively.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

7

$216.7 million and $895.3 million,
for 2016 and 2015,
respectively. The Corporation’s results for the year ended
December 31, 2017,
include the impact of an income tax
expense of $168.4 million related to the impact of the Federal
Tax Cuts and Job Act on the Corporation’s U.S. deferred tax
asset during the fourth quarter of 2017 and the expenses related
to Hurricanes Irma and Maria of approximately $88 million, on
a pre-tax basis, during the third and fourth quarters of 2017.

Net

income for

the year ended December 31, 2016
amounted to $216.7 million. The Corporation’s results include
two unfavorable arbitration review board
the impact of
decisions in disputes with the FDIC, which resulted in a pre-tax
charge of $171.8 million related to unreimbursed losses
considered in the arbitrations, the related adjustment to the
true-up obligation owed to the FDIC at the end of the loss-
share
previously
2020
incorporated in the net damages claimed in the arbitration.

agreements

recoveries

and

in

Net income from continuing operations of $895.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 2015 include $18.4 million in
restructuring charges related to the U.S. operations; the impact
of $17.9 million of net expenses associated with the acquisition
in 2015, of certain assets and assumption of non-brokered
deposits of Doral Bank from the FDIC, as receiver (the “Doral
Bank Transaction”);
an other-than-temporary impairment
charge of $14.4 million on the portfolio of Puerto Rico
government investment securities; a write-down of the FDIC
indemnification asset of $10.9 million; a fair value gain of
$4.4 million associated with a portfolio of mortgage servicing
rights (“MSRs”) acquired in connection with a backup servicing
agreement; losses on proposed bulk sales of loans acquired
from Westernbank of $15.2 million; a loss of $5.9 million from
a bulk sale of non-covered loans; a net loss of $4.4 million on a
bulk sale of covered OREOs completed during the year and a
partial reversal of the valuation allowance on its deferred tax
assets
approximately
$589.0 million.

from its U.S.

operations

for

Excluding the impact of the above mentioned transactions,
detailed in Tables 46 through 48, the Adjusted net income for
the year ended December 31, 2017 was $276.0 million,
compared to $358.1 million for 2016 and $374.8 million for
2015. Refer to Tables 46 through 48 for the reconciliation to
the Adjusted net income.

On April 30, 2010, BPPR acquired certain assets and
assumed certain liabilities of Westernbank from the FDIC in an
assisted transaction. Table 2 provides a summary of the gross
revenues derived from the assets acquired in the FDIC-assisted
transaction during 2017, 2016 and 2015.

prepares

its Consolidated

Adjusted results of operations – Non-GAAP financial measure
Adjusted net income
The Corporation
Financial
Statements using accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States (“U.S. GAAP” or the “reported basis”). In
addition to analyzing the Corporation’s results on a reported
the
basis, management monitors Adjusted net
Corporation and excludes the impact of certain transactions on
the results of its operations. Management believes that Adjusted
net income provides meaningful information to investors about
the Corporation’s ongoing
the underlying performance of
operations. Adjusted net
income is a non-GAAP financial
measure. Refer to tables 46 to 48 for a reconciliation of net
income
ended
to Adjusted net
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

income of

the years

income

for

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis
Net interest income, on a taxable equivalent basis, is presented
with its different components on Tables 5 and 6 for the years
ended December 31, 2017 as compared with the same periods
in 2016 and 2015, segregated by major categories of interest
earning assets and interest bearing liabilities.

The 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 its agencies 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. The
taxable equivalent computation considers the interest expense
and other related expense disallowances required by the Puerto
Rico tax law. Under this law, the exempt interest can be
deducted up to the amount of taxable income. 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 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.

Financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2017
The Corporation’s net income for the year ended December 31,
2017 amounted to $107.7 million, compared to a net income of

8

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Table 2 - Financial Information - Westernbank FDIC-Assisted Transaction

(In thousands)

Interest income on WB loans

FDIC loss share (expense) income :
Amortization of loss share indemnification asset
80% mirror accounting on credit impairment losses [1]
80% mirror accounting on reimbursable expenses
80% mirror accounting on recoveries on covered assets, including rental income on OREOs, subject to

reimbursement to the FDIC

Change in true-up payment obligation
Arbitration decision charge
Other

Total FDIC loss share (expense) income

Total revenues (expenses)

Provision (reversal) for loan losses

Total revenues (expenses) less provision (reversal) for loan losses

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

$148,033

$ 175,207

$208,779

(469)
3,136
2,454

(10,201)
(239)
8,433

2,405
(11,700)
–
(5,892)

(31,338)
(33,413)
(136,197)
(4,824)

(66,238)
15,658
73,205

(13,836)
9,559
–
1,714

(10,066)

(207,779)

20,062

137,967

(32,572)

228,841

16,336

(3,318)

54,113

$121,631

$ (29,254) $174,728

[1] Reductions in expected cash flows for ASC 310-30 loans, which may impact the provision for loan losses, may consider reductions in both principal and interest
cash flow expectations. The amount covered under the FDIC loss sharing agreements for interest not collected from borrowers is limited under the agreements
(approximately 90 days); accordingly, these amounts are not subject fully to the 80% mirror accounting.

Average balances

(In millions)

Loans
FDIC loss share asset

Interest income on Westernbank loans for the year 2017
amounted to $ 148 million versus $ 175 million in 2016,
reflecting a yield of 8.59% versus 8.99%,
for each year,
respectively. Interest income on this portfolio, due to its nature,
should continue to decline as scheduled payments are received
and workout arrangements are made.

The FDIC loss share reflected an expense of $ 10 million for
2017, compared to an expense of $ 208 million for 2016.
During 2016, the Corporation recorded a $136 million write-
down to the indemnification asset related to the arbitration
decision. Refer to the Non-Interest Income section of this
information on the FDIC loss share
MD&A for additional
(expense) income.

An increase in estimated cash flows will

reduce any
allowance for loan losses established after the acquisition and

Years ended December 31,
2016

2017

2015

$1,724
49

$1,949
191

$2,333
362

The discussion that

then increases the accretable yield to be recognized over the life
of the loans. It also has the effect of lowering the realizable
value of the loss share asset since the Corporation would
receive lower FDIC payments under the loss share agreements.
This is reflected in the amortization of the loss share asset.
follows provides highlights of
for

the
Corporation’s
ended
December 31, 2017 compared to the results of operations of
2016. It also provides some highlights with respect to the
Corporation’s financial condition, credit quality, capital and
liquidity. Table 3 presents a five-year
the
components of net income (loss) as a percentage of average
total assets.

results of operations

summary of

the year

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

9

Table 3 - Components of Net Income (Loss) as a Percentage of Average Total Assets

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Mortgage banking activities
Net gain and valuation adjustments on investment securities
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment securities
Net gain (loss) on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves
Trading account (loss) profit
FDIC loss share (expense) income
Other non-interest income

Total net interest income and non-interest income, net of provision for loan losses
Operating expenses

3.63% 3.78% 4.00% 2.69% 3.71%
(0.69)
(0.79)
0.23
0.06
–
–
(0.04)
(0.02)
–
–
(0.05)
(0.05)
(0.01)
–
0.06
(0.02)
1.29
1.05

(1.67)
0.21
0.02
–
(0.15)
(0.10)
(0.04)
(0.23)
2.47

(0.45)
0.15
–
–
0.02
(0.05)
–
(0.55)
1.22

(0.77)
0.09
–
–
0.12
(0.12)
0.01
(0.29)
1.29

3.86
(3.04)

4.12
(3.34)

0.82
0.56

0.26
–

0.78
0.20

0.58
–

4.79
(3.66)

1.13
(1.41)

2.54
–

3.02
(3.39)

(0.37)
0.17

(0.54)
(0.35)

4.22
(3.37)

0.85
(0.69)

1.54
0.11

0.26% 0.58% 2.54% (0.89)% 1.65%

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
Income tax expense (benefit)

Income (loss) from continuing operations
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

Net income (loss)

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was
$1.5 billion, an increase of $79.9 million when compared to 2016.
On a taxable equivalent basis, net interest income increased by
$101.3 million. Net interest margin decreased by 23 basis points
to 3.99% in 2017, compared to 4.22% in 2016. On a taxable
equivalent basis, net interest margin was 4.28% in 2017, compared
to 4.48% in 2016. In the low interest rate environment that has
prevailed in the past years, the mix and overall size of our earning
assets and the cost of funding those assets, although accretive to
net interest income, has negatively impacted the Corporation’s net
interest margin. Refer to the Net Interest Income section of this
MD&A for additional information.

The Corporation’s total provision for loan losses (including
covered and non-covered loans) totaled $325.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 2017, compared with $170.0 million
for 2016. The increase in the provision was mainly due to the
impact of the hurricanes on the Corporation’s loan portfolios,
as previously described, as well as a higher provision for the
taxi medallion portfolio.

Credit metrics in 2017 were impacted by the relief initiatives
implemented by the Corporation related to the hurricanes,
including the loan payment moratorium. Non-performing
assets, excluding covered loans and OREO, at December 31,
2017 were $720 million, a decrease of $18 million when
compared with December 31, 2016. The decrease was mainly
reflected in the other real estate (“OREO”) category, which
decreased by approximately $11 million, mainly in residential
properties at BPPR and write-downs related to Hurricane Maria.
Refer to the Provision for Loan Losses and Credit Risk
sections of this MD&A for information on the allowance for
debt
troubled
loan
restructurings, net charge-offs and credit quality metrics.

non-performing

losses,

assets,

10

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2017
amounted to $419.2 million, an increase of $121.2 million,
when compared with 2016. The increase was mainly due to a
favorable variance in FDIC loss share (expense) income of
$197.7 million as a result of a charge of $136.2 million related
to the arbitration award recorded during 2016 and lower fair
value adjustments to the true-up payment obligation which
were mainly impacted by changes in the discount rate.

Refer to the Non-Interest Income section of this MD&A for
additional information on the major variances of the different
categories of non-interest income.

Total operating expenses amounted to $1.3 billion for the
year 2017, relatively flat when compared to 2016. Refer to the
Operating Expenses section of
this MD&A for additional
information.

Income tax expense amounted to $230.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2017, compared with an income tax
expense of $78.8 million for the previous year. As previously
described, during the fourth quarter of 2017, the Corporation
recognized an income tax expense of $168.4 million resulting
from the impact of the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the
Corporation’s income tax expense. Refer to the Income Taxes
section in this MD&A and Note 39 to the consolidated financial
statements for additional information on income taxes.

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation’s total assets were
$44.3 billion, compared with $38.7 billion at December 31,
2016, an increase of $5.6 billion. The increase is mainly driven
by an increase in the Corporation’s money market investments
of $2.4 billion and in the investment securities available-for-sale
portfolio by $2.0 billion driven by the increase in deposits
loans held-in-portfolio increased by
balances. Also,
$1.5 billion due mainly to growth in the commercial and

the

construction loan portfolios at BPNA and the increase in
loans
mortgage loans at BPPR due to the rebooking of
previously pooled into GNMA securities. Refer to the Statement
of Condition Analysis section of this MD&A for additional
information.

Deposits amounted to $35.5 billion at December 31, 2017,
compared with $30.5 billion at December 31, 2016. Table 15
presents a breakdown of deposits by major categories. The
increase in deposits was mainly from higher
retail and
commercial savings, NOW deposits, demand deposits from the
Puerto Rico public sector and retail and commercial checking
accounts at BPPR. The Corporation’s borrowings remained
relatively flat at $2.0 billion at December 31, 2017, compared to
$2.1 billion at December 31, 2016. Refer to Note 20 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed information on
the Corporation’s borrowings.

Refer to Table 14 in the Statement of Financial Condition
Analysis section of this MD&A for the percentage allocation of
the composition of the Corporation’s financing to total assets.

Stockholders’ equity totaled $5.1 billion at December 31,
2017, compared with $5.2 billion at December 31, 2016. The
decrease was mainly related to the impact of the common stock
repurchase of $75 million completed during the first quarter of
2017 and higher accumulated other comprehensive loss by
$30 million principally in unrealized losses on securities
available-for-sale. The Corporation and its banking subsidiaries
continue to be well-capitalized at December 31, 2017. The
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio at December 31, 2017 was
16.30%, compared to 16.48% at December 31, 2016.

In summary, during 2017, in spite of the significant impact
of the hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the USVI, the Corporation
reflected strong results, evidenced by an increase in net interest
income, year over year, the continued growth of the U.S.
portfolios and a solid capital position. The Corporation also
continued to benefit from its stake in EVERTEC and BHD León,
the second largest bank in the Dominican Republic.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria have had and continue to have
an impact on the people and communities in which the
Corporation does business. The Corporation will continue to
monitor the effects of these hurricanes on its operations and
clients. Popular, as the leading financial institution in Puerto
Rico,
is committed to partnering with our neighbors and
communities to aid in the rebuilding process.

The Corporation continues to seek to capitalize on growth
opportunities, such as the recently announced agreement to
acquire the Reliable auto finance business. We look forward to
the benefits from this acquisition and will continue to employ
our strategy to strengthen our organization and deliver strong,
sustainable results in the future.

For

financial
further discussion of operating results,
condition and business risks refer to the narrative and tables
included herein.

The shares of the Corporation’s common stock are traded on
the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol BPOP.
Table 4 shows the Corporation’s common stock performance on
a quarterly basis during the last five years.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

11

Table 4 - Common Stock Performance

Market Price
Low

High

Cash Dividends
Declared
per Share

Book Value
Per Share

$49.51

Dividend
Yield [1]

2.57%

Price/
Earnings
Ratio

34.79x

Market/Book
Ratio

71.68%

$36.71
43.12
42.69
45.75

$44.70
39.74
31.34
28.80

$32.39
31.49
35.45
35.58

$34.14
34.64
34.18
31.50

$29.17
34.20
30.60
28.92

$32.29
35.27
37.18
38.46

$35.41
28.00
26.66
22.62

$26.96
27.19
28.86
30.52

$27.34
29.44
28.93
25.50

$24.07
26.25
26.88
21.70

$0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25

$0.15
0.15
0.15
0.15

$0.15
0.15
–
–

$

$

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

49.60

1.87

21.27

88.35

48.79

0.97

3.27

58.09

40.76

N.M.

(11.06)

83.54

44.26

N.M.

4.95

64.91

2017
4th quarter
3rd quarter
2nd quarter
1st quarter
2016
4th quarter
3rd quarter
2nd quarter
1st quarter
2015
4th quarter
3rd quarter
2nd quarter
1st quarter
2014
4th quarter
3rd quarter
2nd quarter
1st quarter
2013
4th quarter
3rd quarter
2nd quarter
1st quarter

Based on the average high and low market price for the four quarters.

[1]
N.M. – Not meaningful.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES / ESTIMATES
followed by the
The accounting and reporting policies
Corporation and its
subsidiaries conform with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States of America
(“GAAP”) and general practices within the financial services
industry. The Corporation’s significant accounting policies are
described in detail
in Note 3 to the consolidated financial
statements and should be read in conjunction with this section.
Critical accounting policies require management to make
estimates and assumptions, which involve significant judgment
about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and
that involve a high degree of subjectivity. These estimates are
made under facts and circumstances at a point in time and
changes in those facts and circumstances could produce actual
results that differ from those estimates. The following MD&A
section is a summary of what management considers the
Corporation’s critical accounting policies and estimates.

Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments
The Corporation currently measures at fair value on a recurring
basis its trading assets, available-for-sale securities, derivatives,
consideration.
mortgage

servicing rights

and contingent

12

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Occasionally, the Corporation may be required to record at fair
value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans
held-for-sale, impaired loans held-in-portfolio that are collateral
dependent and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair
value adjustments typically result from the application of lower
of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual
assets.

its

The Corporation categorizes

and liabilities
measured at fair value under the three-level hierarchy. The level
within the hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to the
valuation methodology used for fair value measurement are
observable.

assets

The Corporation requires the use of observable inputs when
available, in order to minimize the use of unobservable inputs
to determine fair value. The inputs or methodologies used for
valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk
associated with investing in those securities. The amount of
judgment involved in estimating the fair value of a financial
instrument depends upon the availability of quoted market
prices or observable market parameters. In addition, it may be
affected by other factors such as the type of instrument, the
liquidity of the market for the instrument, transparency around

the inputs
characteristics of the instrument.

to the valuation, as well as

the contractual

If listed prices or quotes are not available, the Corporation
employs valuation models that primarily use market-based
inputs including yield curves, interest rate curves, volatilities,
credit curves, and discount, prepayment and delinquency rates,
among other considerations. When market observable data is
not available, the valuation of financial instruments becomes
more subjective and involves substantial judgment. The need to
use unobservable inputs generally results from diminished
observability of both actual trades and assumptions resulting
from the lack of market liquidity for those types of loans or
securities. When fair values are estimated based on modeling
the
techniques
rates,
Corporation uses
interest
prepayment speeds, default
loss severity rates and
discount rates. Valuation adjustments are limited to those
necessary to ensure that the financial instrument’s fair value is
adequately representative of the price that would be received or
paid in the marketplace.

such as discounted cash flow models,

assumptions

such as

rates,

Management believes that fair values are reasonable and
consistent with the fair value measurement guidance based on
the Corporation’s internal validation procedure and consistency
of the processes followed, which include obtaining market
quotes when possible or using valuation techniques that
incorporate market-based inputs.

Refer to Note 31 to the consolidated financial statements for
information on the Corporation’s fair value measurement
disclosures required by the applicable accounting standard. At
December 31, 2017, approximately $ 10.2 billion, or 98%, of
the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis used
market-based or market-derived valuation methodology and,
therefore, were classified as Level 1 or Level 2. The majority of
instruments measured at fair value were classified as Level 2,
consisted principally of U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of
U.S. Government sponsored entities, obligations of Puerto Rico,
States
subdivisions, most mortgage-backed
securities (“MBS”) and collateralized mortgage obligations
(“CMOs”), and derivative instruments.

and political

Broker quotes used for fair value measurements inherently
reflect any lack of liquidity in the market since they represent
an exit price from the perspective of the market participants.
Financial assets that were fair valued using broker quotes
amounted to $ 7 million at December 31, 2017, of which $
1 million were Level 3 assets and $ 6 million were Level 2
assets. Level 3 assets consisted principally of tax-exempt GNMA
mortgage-backed securities. Fair value for these securities was
based on an internally-prepared matrix derived from local
broker quotes. The main input used in the matrix pricing was
non-binding local broker quotes obtained from limited trade
activity. Therefore, these securities were classified as Level 3.

Level 3 to Level 2 due to a change in valuation technique from
an internally-prepared pricing matrix and discounted cash flow
model, respectively, to a bond’s theoretical value. There were
no transfers in and/or out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 for
financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring
basis during the years ended December 31, 2016, and 2015.
The Corporation’s policy is to recognize transfers as of the end
of the reporting period.

Trading Account Securities and Investment Securities
Available-for-Sale
The majority of the values for trading account securities and
investment securities available-for-sale are obtained from third-
party pricing services and are validated with alternate pricing
sources when available. Securities not priced by a secondary
pricing source are documented and validated internally
according to their significance to the Corporation’s financial
statements. Management has established materiality thresholds
according to the investment class to monitor and investigate
material deviations in prices obtained from the primary pricing
service provider and the secondary pricing source used as
support
for the valuation results. During the year ended
December 31, 2017, the Corporation did not adjust any prices
obtained from pricing service providers or broker dealers.

including the relative liquidity of

Inputs are evaluated to ascertain that they consider current
market conditions,
the
market. When a market quote for a specific security is not
available, the pricing service provider generally uses observable
data to derive an exit price for the instrument, such as
benchmark yield curves and trade data for similar products. To
the extent trading data is not available, the pricing service
provider relies on specific information including dialogue with
brokers, buy side clients, credit ratings, spreads to established
benchmarks and transactions on similar securities, to draw
correlations based on the characteristics of
the evaluated
for any reason the pricing service provider
instrument. If
cannot observe data required to feed its model, it discontinues
pricing the instrument. During the year ended December 31,
2017, none of the Corporation’s investment securities were
to pricing discontinuance by the pricing service
subject
providers. The pricing methodology and approach of our
primary pricing service providers is concluded to be consistent
with the fair value measurement guidance.

its
Furthermore, management assesses the fair value of
portfolio of investment securities at least on a quarterly basis,
which includes analyzing changes in fair value that have
resulted in losses that may be considered other-than-temporary.
Factors considered include, for example, the nature of the
investment, severity and duration of possible impairments,
industry reports, sector credit ratings, economic environment,
creditworthiness of the issuers and any guarantees.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, certain MBS and
CMO’s amounting to $4.3 million, were transferred from

Securities are classified in the fair value hierarchy according
to product type, characteristics and market liquidity. At the end

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

13

of each period, management assesses the valuation hierarchy for
each asset or liability measured. The fair value measurement
analysis performed by the Corporation includes validation
procedures
pricing
review of market
methodology, assumption and level hierarchy changes, and
evaluation of distressed transactions.

changes,

and

Refer to Note 31 to the consolidated financial statements for
a description of the Corporation’s valuation methodologies used
for the assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
Interest on loans is accrued and recorded as interest income
based upon the principal amount outstanding.

Non-accrual loans are those loans on which the accrual of
interest is discontinued. When a loan is placed on non-accrual
status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is charged
against income and the loan is accounted for either on a cash-
basis method or on the cost-recovery method. Loans designated
as non-accruing are returned to accrual status when the
Corporation expects repayment of the remaining contractual
principal and interest. The determination as to the ultimate
collectability of the loan’s balance may involve management’s
judgment in the evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition
and prospects for repayment.

Refer to the MD&A section titled Credit Risk, particularly
the Non-performing
a detailed
description of the Corporation’s non-accruing and charge-off
policies by major loan categories.

sub-section,

assets

for

One of the most critical and complex accounting estimates is
associated with the determination of the allowance for loan
losses. The provision for loan losses charged to current
operations is based on this determination. The Corporation’s
assessment of the allowance for loan losses is determined in
accordance with accounting guidance, specifically guidance of
loss
in ASC Subtopic 450-20 and loan
impairment guidance in ASC Section 310-10-35.

contingencies

For a detailed description of the principal factors used to
determine the general reserves of the allowance for loan losses
and for the principal enhancements Management made to its
methodology, refer to Note 10.

terms of

According to the loan impairment accounting guidance in
ASC Section 310-10-35, a loan is impaired when, based on
current information and events, it is probable that the principal
and/or interest are not going to be collected according to the
original contractual
the loan agreement. Current
information and events include “environmental” factors, e.g.
existing industry, geographical, economic and political factors.
Probable means the future event or events which will confirm
the loss or impairment of the loan is likely to occur. The
collateral dependent method is generally used for
the
impairment determination on commercial and construction
loans since the expected realizable value of the loan is based
the
upon the proceeds received from the liquidation of

14

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

collateral property. For commercial properties, the “as is” value
or the “income approach” value is used depending on the
financial condition of the subject borrower and/or the nature of
the subject collateral. In most cases, impaired commercial loans
do not have reliable or sustainable cash flow to use the
discounted cash flow valuation method. As a general rule, the
appraisal valuation used by the Corporation for impaired
construction loans is based on discounted value to a single
purchaser, discounted sell out or “as is” depending on the
condition and status of the project and the performance of the
same. Appraisals may be adjusted due to their age, property
conditions, geographical area or general market conditions. The
adjustments applied are based upon internal information, like
other appraisals and/or loss severity information that can
provide historical trends in the real estate market. Discount
rates used may change
to time based on
management’s estimates.

from time

For additional information on the Corporation’s policy of its
impaired loans, refer to Note 3. In addition, refer to the Credit
Risk section of this MD&A for detailed information on the
Corporation’s collateral value estimation for other real estate.

risks

or markets. Other

in the loan portfolio.

The Corporation’s management evaluates the adequacy of
the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis following a
systematic methodology in order to provide for known and
inherent
In developing its
assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the
Corporation must rely on estimates and exercise judgment
regarding matters where the ultimate outcome is unknown
such as economic developments affecting specific customers,
industries
can affect
management’s estimates are the years of historical data to
include when estimating losses, the level of volatility of losses
in a specific portfolio, changes in underwriting standards,
financial
impairment
measurement, among others. Changes in the financial condition
of individual borrowers, in economic conditions, in historical
loss experience and in the condition of the various markets in
which collateral may be sold may all affect the required level of
the allowance for loan losses. Consequently,
the business,
financial condition, liquidity, capital and results of operations
could also be affected.

accounting

standards

factors

loan

that

and

A restructuring constitutes a TDR when the Corporation
separately concludes
the restructuring constitutes a
concession and the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.
For information on the Corporation’s TDR policy, refer to
Note 3.

that

Acquisition Accounting for Covered Loans and Related
Indemnification Asset
The Corporation accounted for the Westernbank FDIC-assisted
transaction under the accounting guidance of ASC Topic 805,
Business Combinations, which requires the use of the purchase
identifiable assets and liabilities
method of accounting. All

acquired were initially recorded at fair value. No allowance for
loan losses related to the acquired loans was recorded on the
acquisition date as the fair value of
the loans acquired
incorporated assumptions regarding credit risk. Loans acquired
were recorded at fair value in accordance with the fair value
methodology prescribed in ASC Topic 820, exclusive of the
shared-loss agreements with the FDIC. These fair value
estimates associated with the loans included estimates related to
expected prepayments and the amount and timing of expected
principal, interest and other cash flows.

fair

value

subject

Because the FDIC has agreed to reimburse the Corporation
for losses related to the acquired loans in the Westernbank
FDIC-assisted transaction,
to certain provisions
specified in the agreements, an indemnification asset was
acquisition date. The
recorded at
indemnification asset was recognized at the same time as the
indemnified loans, and is measured on the same basis, subject
to collectability or contractual
limitations. The loss share
indemnification asset on the acquisition date reflected the
reimbursements expected to be received from the FDIC, using
an appropriate discount rate, which reflected counterparty
credit risk and other uncertainties.

the

at

and

The

these

loans

initial

valuation

related
of
indemnification asset required management to make subjective
judgments concerning estimates about how the acquired loans
would perform in the future using valuation methods,
including discounted cash flow analyses and independent third-
party appraisals. Factors that may significantly affect the initial
valuation included, among others, market-based and industry
data related to expected changes in interest rates, assumptions
related to probability and severity of credit losses, estimated
timing of credit losses including the timing of foreclosure and
liquidation of collateral, expected prepayment rates, required or
anticipated loan modifications, unfunded loan commitments,
the specific terms and provisions of any loss share agreement,
and specific industry and market conditions that may impact
discount rates and independent third-party appraisals.

The Corporation applied the guidance of ASC Subtopic
310-30 to all loans acquired in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted
transaction (including loans that do not meet the scope of ASC
Subtopic 310-30), except for credit cards and revolving lines of
credit. ASC Subtopic 310-30 provides two specific criteria that
have to be met in order for a loan to be within its scope:
(1) credit deterioration on the loan from its inception until the
acquisition date and (2) that it is probable that not all of the
contractual cash flows will be collected on the loan. Once in the
scope of ASC Subtopic 310-30, the credit portion of the fair
value discount on an acquired loan cannot be accreted into
income until the acquirer has assessed that it expects to receive
more cash flows on the loan than initially anticipated.

Acquired loans that meet the definition of nonaccrual status
fall within the Corporation’s definition of impaired loans under
ASC Subtopic 310-30. It is possible that performing loans

would not meet criteria number 1 above related to evidence of
credit deterioration since the date of loan origination, and
therefore not fall within the scope of ASC Subtopic 310-30.
Based on the fair value determined for the acquired portfolio,
acquired loans that did not meet the Corporation’s definition of
non-accrual status also resulted in the recognition of a
significant discount attributable to credit quality.

the Westernbank acquired portfolio,

Given the significant discount related to credit

in the
valuation of
the
Corporation considered two possible options for the performing
loans (1) accrete the entire fair value discount (including the
credit portion) using the interest method over the life of the
loan in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-20; or (2) analogize
to ASC Subtopic 310-30 and only accrete the portion of the fair
value discount unrelated to credit.

Pursuant to an AICPA letter dated December 18, 2009, the
AICPA summarized the SEC Staff’s view regarding the
accounting in subsequent periods
for discount accretion
associated with loan receivables acquired in a business
combination or asset purchase. Regarding the accounting for
such loan receivables, in the absence of further standard setting,
the AICPA understands that the SEC Staff would not object to
cash flows
an accounting policy based on contractual
(Option 1 – ASC Subtopic 310-20 approach) or an accounting
policy based on expected cash flows (Option 2 – ASC Subtopic
310-30 approach). As such, the Corporation considered the two
allowable options as follows:

• Option 1 – Since the credit portion of the fair value
discount is associated with an expectation of cash flows
that an acquirer does not expect to receive over the life of
the loan, it does not appear appropriate to accrete that
portion over the life of
the loan as doing so could
eventually overstate the acquirer’s expected value of the
loan and ultimately result in recognizing income (i.e.
through the accretion of the yield) on a portion of the
loan it does not expect
the
Corporation does not believe this is an appropriate
method to apply.

to receive. Therefore,

• Option 2 – The Corporation believes analogizing to ASC
Subtopic 310-30 is the more appropriate option to follow
in accounting for the credit portion of the fair value
discount. By doing so, the loan is only being accreted up
to the value that the acquirer expected to receive at
acquisition of the loan.

Based on the above, the Corporation elected Option 2 – the
ASC Subtopic 310-30 approach to the outstanding balance for
the acquired loans in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted
all
transaction with the exception of revolving lines of credit with
active privileges as of the acquisition date, which are explicitly
scoped out by the ASC Subtopic 310-30 accounting guidance.
New advances / draws after the acquisition date under existing
credit lines that did not have revolving privileges as of the

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

15

acquisition date, particularly for construction loans, will
effectively be treated as a “new” loan for accounting purposes
and accounted for under the provisions of ASC Subtopic
310-20, resulting in a hybrid accounting for the overall
construction loan balance.

Management used judgment in evaluating factors impacting
expected cash flows and probable loss assumptions, including
the quality of
the loan portfolio, portfolio concentrations,
distressed economic conditions in Puerto Rico, quality of
underwriting standards of the acquired institution, reductions
real estate values, and material weaknesses
in collateral
disclosed by the acquired institution, including matters related
to credit quality review and appraisal report review.

At April 30, 2010, the acquired loans accounted for pursuant
to ASC Subtopic 310-30 by the Corporation totaled $4.9 billion
which represented undiscounted unpaid contractually-required
principal and interest balances of $9.9 billion reduced by a
discount of $5.0 billion resulting from acquisition date fair
value adjustments. The non-accretable discount on loans
accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 amounted to
$3.4 billion or approximately 68% of the total discount, thus
indicating a significant amount of expected credit losses on the
acquired portfolios.

the

and

Pursuant

to ASC Section 310-20-15-5,

the Corporation
aggregated loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted transaction into
for purposes of
pools with common risk characteristics
disclosure
recognition, measurement
applying
provisions of this subtopic. Each loan pool is accounted for as a
single asset with a single composite interest rate and an
aggregate expectation of cash flows. Characteristics considered
in pooling loans in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction
accruing status,
included loan type,
amortization type, rate index and source type. Once the pools
are defined, the Corporation maintains the integrity of the pool
of multiple loans accounted for as a single asset.

interest

type,

rate

the pool

reasonably

Under ASC Subtopic 310-30, the difference between the
undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the fair
value of the loans, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as
interest
income using the effective yield method over the
estimated life of the loan if the timing and amount of the future
cash flows of
estimable. The
is
non-accretable difference represents the difference between
contractually required principal and interest and the cash flows
expected to be collected. Subsequent to the acquisition date,
increases in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition
date are recognized as interest income prospectively as an
adjustment to accretable yield over the pool’s remaining life.
Decreases in expected cash flows after the acquisition date are
generally recognized by recording an allowance for loan losses.
The fair value discount of lines of credit with revolving
privileges that are accounted for pursuant to the guidance of
ASC Subtopic 310-20, represented the difference between the
contractually required loan payment receivable in excess of the

16

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

initial
investment in the loan. Any cash flows collected in
excess of the carrying amount of the loan are recognized in
earnings at the time of collection. The carrying amount of lines
of credit with revolving privileges, which are accounted
pursuant to the guidance of ASC Subtopic 310-20, are subject
to periodic review to determine the need for recognizing an
allowance for loan losses.

is measured
The FDIC loss share indemnification asset
separately from the related covered assets as
is not
contractually embedded in the assets and is not transferable
with the assets should the assets be sold.

it

The FDIC loss share indemnification asset is recognized on
the same basis as the assets subject to loss share protection,
except that the amortization / accretion terms differ for each
to ASC
asset. For covered loans accounted for pursuant
Subtopic 310-30, decreases in expected reimbursements from
the FDIC due to improvements in expected cash flows to be
received from borrowers are recognized in non-interest income
prospectively over the life of the FDIC loss sharing agreements.
For covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-20, as
the loan discount recorded as of the acquisition date was
accreted into income, a reduction of the related indemnification
asset was recorded as a reduction in non-interest income.
Increases in expected reimbursements from the FDIC are
recognized in non-interest income in the same period that the
allowance for credit losses for the related loans is recognized.

Over the life of the acquired loans that are accounted under
ASC Subtopic 310-30, the Corporation continues to estimate
cash flows expected to be collected on individual loans or on
pools of
loans sharing common risk characteristics. The
Corporation evaluates at each balance sheet date whether the
present value of its loans determined using the effective interest
rates has decreased based on revised estimated cash flows and if
so, recognizes a provision for loan loss in its consolidated
statement of operations and an allowance for loan losses in its
consolidated statement of financial condition. For any increases
in cash flows expected to be collected from borrowers, the
Corporation adjusts the amount of accretable yield recognized
on the loans on a prospective basis over the pool’s remaining
life.

The evaluation of estimated cash flows expected to be
collected subsequent
to acquisition on loans accounted
pursuant to ASC Subtopic 310-30 and inherent losses on loans
to ASC Subtopic 310-20 require the
accounted pursuant
continued usage of key assumptions and estimates. Given the
current economic environment, the Corporation must apply
judgment to develop its estimates of cash flows considering the
impact of home price and property value changes, changing
loss
in the
expected cash flows for ASC Subtopic 310-30 loans and
decreases in the net realizable value of ASC Subtopic 310-20
loans will generally result in a charge to the provision for credit
losses resulting in an increase to the allowance for loan losses.

severities and prepayment

speeds. Decreases

These estimates are particularly sensitive to changes in loan
credit quality.

The amount that the Corporation realizes on the covered
loans and related indemnification assets could differ materially
from the carrying value reflected in these financial statements,
based upon the timing and amount of collections on the
acquired loans in future periods. The Corporation’s losses on
these assets may be mitigated to the extent covered under the
specific terms and provisions of the loss share agreement.

future

recognized based on the

Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability
method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities
are
tax consequences
attributable to temporary differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and
their respective tax basis, and attributable to operating loss and
tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years
in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered
or paid. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when
the changes are enacted.

The calculation of periodic income taxes is complex and
requires the use of estimates and judgments. The Corporation
has recorded two accruals for income taxes: (i) the net
estimated amount currently due or to be received from taxing
jurisdictions, including any reserve for potential examination
issues, and (ii) a deferred income tax that represents the
estimated impact of temporary differences between how the
Corporation recognizes assets and liabilities under accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and
how such assets and liabilities are recognized under the tax
code. Differences in the actual outcome of these future tax
consequences could impact the Corporation’s financial position
or its results of operations. In estimating taxes, management
assesses the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax
treatment of transactions taking into consideration statutory,
judicial and regulatory guidance.

A deferred tax asset should be reduced by a valuation
allowance if based on the weight of all available evidence, it is
more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some
portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. The
valuation allowance should be sufficient to reduce the deferred
tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be
realized. The determination of whether a deferred tax asset is
realizable is based on weighting all available evidence,
including both positive and negative evidence. The realization
of deferred tax assets, including carryforwards and deductible
temporary differences, depends upon the existence of sufficient
taxable income of the same character during the carryback or
carryforward period. The realization of deferred tax assets
requires the consideration of all sources of taxable income

available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future
future taxable
reversal of existing temporary differences,
reversing temporary differences and
income exclusive of
carryforwards,
and
taxable
tax-planning strategies.

in carryback years

income

Management evaluates the realization of the deferred tax
asset by taxing jurisdiction. The U.S. mainland operations are
evaluated as a whole since a consolidated income tax return is
filed; on the other hand, the deferred tax asset related to the
Puerto Rico operations is evaluated on an entity by entity basis,
since no consolidation is allowed in the income tax filing.
Accordingly,
three major
this evaluation is composed of
components: U.S. mainland operations, Puerto Rico banking
operations and Holding Company.

For the evaluation of the realization of the deferred tax asset

by taxing jurisdiction, refer to Note 39.

Under

the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code,

the
Corporation and its subsidiaries are treated as separate taxable
entities and are not entitled to file consolidated tax returns. The
Code provides a dividends-received deduction of 100% on
dividends received from “controlled” subsidiaries subject to
taxation in Puerto Rico and 85% on dividends received from
other taxable domestic corporations.

Changes in the Corporation’s estimates can occur due to
changes in tax rates, new business strategies, newly enacted
guidance, and resolution of
issues with taxing authorities
regarding previously taken tax positions. Such changes could
affect the amount of accrued taxes. The Corporation has made
tax payments in accordance with estimated tax payments rules.
Any remaining payment will not have any significant impact on
liquidity and capital resources.

profitability. The

The valuation of deferred tax assets requires judgment in
assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have
been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns and
future
tax
consequences represents management’s best estimate of those
future events. Changes in management’s current estimates, due
to unanticipated events, could have a material impact on the
Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.

accounting

deferred

for

tax law,

In evaluating a tax position,

The Corporation establishes tax liabilities or reduces tax
assets for uncertain tax positions when, despite its assessment
that its tax return positions are appropriate and supportable
under local
the Corporation believes it may not
succeed in realizing the tax benefit of certain positions if
challenged.
the Corporation
determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that the position
will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any
related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical
merits of
the
ultimate tax liability contains assumptions based on past
experiences, and judgments about potential actions by taxing
jurisdictions as well as judgments about the likely outcome of
issues that have been raised by taxing jurisdictions. The tax

the position. The Corporation’s estimate of

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

17

position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is
than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate
greater
settlement. The Corporation evaluates these uncertain tax
positions each quarter and adjusts the related tax liabilities or
assets in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the
progress of a tax audit or the expiration of a statute of
the estimates and
limitations. The Corporation believes
assumptions used to support its evaluation of uncertain tax
positions are reasonable.

After consideration of the effect on U.S.

federal tax of
the total amount of
unrecognized U.S. state tax benefits,
unrecognized tax benefits, including U.S. and Puerto Rico that,
if recognized, would affect the Corporation’s effective tax rate,
was approximately $9.0 million at December 31, 2017 and
2016. Refer to Note 39 to the consolidated financial statements
for further information on this subject matter. The Corporation
anticipates a reduction in the total amount of unrecognized tax
benefits within the next 12 months, which could amount to
approximately $4.6 million.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or
decrease in the future for various reasons including adding
amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open
income tax returns due to the statutes of limitation, changes in
management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of
examinations, litigation and legislative activity and the addition
or elimination of uncertain tax positions. Although the
outcome of tax audits is uncertain, the Corporation believes
that adequate amounts of tax, interest and penalties have been
provided for any adjustments that are expected to result from
open years. From time to time, the Corporation is audited by
various federal, state and local authorities regarding income tax
its approach in
matters. Although management believes
determining the appropriate tax treatment is supportable and in
accordance with the accounting standards, it is possible that the
final tax authority will take a tax position that is different than
the tax position reflected in the Corporation’s income tax
provision and other tax reserves. As each audit is conducted,
adjustments,
appropriately recorded in the
consolidated financial statement in the period determined. Such
differences could have an adverse effect on the Corporation’s
income tax provision or benefit, or other tax reserves, in the
reporting period in which such determination is made and,
consequently, on the Corporation’s results of operations,
financial position and / or cash flows for such period.

any,

are

if

Goodwill
The Corporation’s goodwill and other identifiable intangible
assets having an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment.
Intangibles with indefinite lives are evaluated for impairment at
least annually, and on a more frequent basis,
if events or
circumstances indicate impairment could have taken place.
Such events could include, among others, a significant adverse
change in the business climate, an adverse action by a regulator,

18

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

test

involves comparing the fair value of

an unanticipated change in the competitive environment and a
decision to change the operations or dispose of a reporting unit.
Under applicable accounting standards, goodwill impairment
the goodwill
analysis is a two-step test. The first step of
impairment
the
reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If
the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount,
goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired;
however, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its
fair value, the second step must be performed. The second step
involves calculating an implied fair value of goodwill for each
reporting unit
for which the first step indicated possible
impairment. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in
the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a
business combination, which is the excess of the fair value of the
reporting unit, as determined in the first step, over the aggregate
fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable
intangibles (including any unrecognized intangible assets, such
as unrecognized core deposits and trademark) as if the reporting
unit was being acquired in a business combination and the fair
value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the
reporting unit. The Corporation estimates the fair values of the
assets and liabilities of a reporting unit, consistent with the
requirements of
the fair value measurements accounting
standard, which defines fair value as the price that would be
received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an
the
transaction between market participants
orderly
measurement date. The fair value of the assets and liabilities
reflects market conditions, thus volatility in prices could have a
material impact on the determination of the implied fair value of
the reporting unit goodwill at the impairment test date. The
adjustments to measure the assets, liabilities and intangibles at
fair value are for the purpose of measuring the implied fair value
of goodwill and such adjustments are not reflected in the
consolidated statement of condition. If the implied fair value of
goodwill exceeds the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit,
there is no impairment. If the goodwill assigned to a reporting
unit exceeds the implied fair value of
the goodwill, an
impairment charge is recorded for the excess. An impairment
loss recognized cannot exceed the amount of goodwill assigned
to a reporting unit, and the loss establishes a new basis in the
goodwill. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is
not permitted under applicable accounting standards.

at

At December 31, 2017, goodwill amounted to $627 million.
Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements provides the
assignment of goodwill by reportable segment.
a detailed description of

goodwill
impairment evaluation performed by the Corporation during
the third quarter of 2017, refer to Note 18.

annual

For

the

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations
The Corporation provides pension and restoration benefit plans
for certain employees of various subsidiaries. The Corporation

also provides certain health care benefits for retired employees
of BPPR. The non-contributory defined pension and benefit
restoration plans (“the Plans”) are frozen with regards to all
future benefit accruals.

The estimated benefit costs and obligations of the pension
and postretirement benefit plans are impacted by the use of
subjective assumptions, which can materially affect recorded
amounts, including expected returns on plan assets, discount
rates, termination rates, retirement rates and health care trend
rates. Management applies judgment in the determination of
these factors, which normally undergo evaluation against
current industry practice and the actual experience of the
Corporation. The Corporation uses an independent actuarial
firm for assistance in the determination of the pension and
obligations. Detailed
postretirement
information on the Plans and related valuation assumptions are
included in Note 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

benefit

costs

and

The Corporation periodically reviews its assumption for the
long-term expected return on pension plan assets. The Plans’
assets fair value at December 31, 2017 was $767.5 million. The
expected return on plan assets is determined by considering
various factors, including a total fund return estimate based on
a weighted-average of estimated returns for each asset class in
each plan. Asset class returns are estimated using current and
projected economic and market factors such as real rates of
return,
inflation, credit spreads, equity risk premiums and
excess return expectations.

As part of

the review,

the Corporation’s independent
consulting actuaries performed an analysis of expected returns
based on each plan’s expected asset allocation for the year 2018
using the Willis Towers Watson US Expected Return Estimator.
This analysis is reviewed by the Corporation and used as a tool
to develop expected rates of return, together with other data.
This forecast reflects the actuarial firm’s view of expected long-
term rates of return for each significant asset class or economic
indicator; for example, 8.5% for large cap stocks, 8.8% for small
cap stocks, 9.0% for international stocks, 3.9% for aggregate
fixed-income securities and 4.1% for long government/credit at
January 1, 2018. A range of expected investment returns is
developed, and this range relies both on forecasts and on broad-
market
returns,
correlations, and volatilities for each asset class.

benchmarks

historical

expected

for

reviews,

As a consequence of

the Corporation
recent
decreased its expected return on plan assets for year 2018 to
5.5% for the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Retirement Plan and
to 6.0% for the Tax Qualified Retirement Restoration Plan.
Expected rates of return of 6.50% and 6.88% had been used for
2017 and 2016, respectively, for both plans. Since the expected
return assumption is on a long-term basis, it is not materially
impacted by the yearly fluctuations (either positive or negative)
in the actual return on assets. The expected return can be
materially impacted by a change in the plan’s asset allocation.

Pension expense for the Plans amounted to $5.0 million in
2017. The total pension expense included a benefit of
$42.8 million for the expected return on assets.

Pension expense is sensitive to changes in the expected
return on assets. For example, decreasing the expected rate of
return for 2018 from 5.5 % to 5.25% would increase the
projected 2018 expense for the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
Retirement
by
the Corporation’s
approximately $1.8 million.

largest

Plan,

plan,

If the projected benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of
plan assets, the Corporation shall recognize a liability equal to
the unfunded projected benefit obligation and vice versa, if the
fair value of plan assets exceeds
the projected benefit
obligation, the Corporation recognizes an asset equal to the
overfunded projected benefit obligation. This asset or liability
may result in a taxable or deductible temporary difference and
its tax effect shall be recognized as an income tax expense or
benefit which shall be allocated to various components of the
financial statements, including other comprehensive income.
The determination of the fair value of pension plan obligations
involves judgment, and any changes in those estimates could
impact the Corporation’s consolidated statement of financial
condition. Management believes that the fair value estimates of
the pension plan assets are reasonable given the valuation
methodologies used to measure the investments at fair value as
described in Note 31. Also, the compositions of the plan assets
are primarily in equity and debt securities, which have readily
determinable quoted market prices. The Corporation had
recorded a liability for
the underfunded pension benefit
obligation of $49.4 million at December 31, 2017.

The Corporation uses the spot rate yield curve from the
Willis Towers Watson RATE: Link (10/90) Model to discount
the expected projected cash flows of the plans. The Corporation
used an equivalent single weighted average discount rate of
3.56% for the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Retirement Plan,
3.54% for the Tax Qualified Retirement Restoration Plan, 3.55%
for the Benefit Restoration Plan and 3.62% for the Retiree
Health Care Benefit Plan to determine the benefit obligations at
December 31, 2017.

A 50 basis point decrease to each of the rates in the
December 31, 2017 Willis Towers Watson RATE: Link (10/90)
Model as of the beginning of 2018 would increase the projected
2018 expense for the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Retirement
Plan by approximately $2.2 million. The change would not
affect the minimum required contribution to the Plan.

The postretirement health care benefit plan was unfunded
(no assets were held by the plan) at December 31, 2017. The
Corporation had recorded a liability for the underfunded
postretirement benefit obligation of $170.7 million at
December 31, 2017 using an equivalent single discount rate of
3.62%. Assumed health care trend rates may have significant
effects on the amounts reported for the health care plan.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

19

Note 33 to the consolidated financial statements provides
the
assumed rates
information on the
Corporation and on the sensitivity that a one-percentage point
change in the assumed rate may have on specified cost
components and the postretirement benefit obligation of the
Corporation.

considered by

interest

influence net

including loan fees,

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS ANALYSIS
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the difference between the revenue
less the
generated from earning assets,
interest cost of deposits and borrowed money. Several risk
factors might
income including the
economic environment in which we operate, market driven
events, changes in volumes, repricing characteristics, loans fees
collected, moratoriums granted on loan payments and delay
charges,
loans, as well as
strategic decisions made by the Corporation’s management. Net
interest income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was
$1.5 billion compared to $1.4 billion in 2016. Net interest
income, on a taxable equivalent basis,
for the year ended
December 31, 2017 was $1.6 billion compared to $1.5 billion in
2016.

interest collected on nonaccrual

The average key index rates for the years 2015 through 2017

were as follows:

Prime rate
Fed funds rate
3-month LIBOR
3-month Treasury Bill
10-year Treasury
FNMA 30-year

2017

2016

2015

4.10% 3.51% 3.26%
0.39
1.00
0.74
1.26
0.31
0.94
1.84
2.33
2.57
3.09

0.13
0.32
0.04
2.13
2.92

Average outstanding securities balances are based upon
amortized cost excluding any unrealized gains or losses on
securities available-for-sale. Non-accrual
loans have been
included in the respective average loans and leases categories.
Loan fees collected and costs incurred in the origination of
loans are deferred and amortized over the term of the loan as an
adjustment to interest yield. Prepayment penalties, late fees
collected and the amortization of premiums / discounts on
purchased loans are also included as part of the loan yield.
income for the period ended December 31, 2017
Interest
included a favorable impact, excluding the discount accretion
on covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30, of
$19.0 million, related to those items, compared to $18.3 million
for the same period in 2016. During the fourth quarter of 2017,
after hurricanes Irma and Maria,
the Corporation waived
certain late fees and charges to businesses and consumers
which affected the results of
these line items during the
moratorium period.

20

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

components of

Table 5 presents

the
the different
Corporation’s net interest income, on a taxable equivalent basis,
for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared with the
same period in 2016, segregated by major categories of interest
earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Net
interest
margin decreased by 23 basis points to 3.99% in 2017,
compared to 4.22% in 2016 mainly due to the mix in the asset
composition, as balances have increased in lower yielding bond
and money market investments. On a taxable equivalent basis,
net interest margin was 4.28% in 2017, compared to 4.48% in
2016. In the low interest rate environment that has prevailed in
the past years, the mix and overall size of our earning assets
and the cost of funding those assets, although accretive to net
interest income, has negatively impacted the Corporation’s net
interest margin. Net interest income increased by $79.9 million
year over year. On a taxable equivalent basis, net interest
income
increase of
$21.4 million in the taxable equivalent adjustment is directly
related to a higher volume of tax exempt investments in Puerto
Rico. The main reasons for the variances in net interest income
on a taxable equivalent basis were as follows:

increased by $101.3 million. The

• Higher interest income from money market investments
due to both an increase in volume of funds available to
invest, mainly related to an increase in Puerto Rico
government deposits, and to recent increases in rates by
the U.S. Federal Reserve. Average rate of such portfolios
for the year increased 62 basis points when compared to
the same period in 2016;

• Higher interest income from investment securities mainly
from higher volumes, particularly on U.S. Treasuries and
mortgage-backed securities related to recent purchases;
and

• Higher income from commercial and construction loans;
due to a higher volume of loans in the U.S. and improved
yields in Puerto Rico mostly related to the effect on the
variable rate portfolio of the above-mentioned rise in
interest rates.

These positive variances were partially offset by:

• Lower interest income from mortgage loans due to lower
average balances driven to lower lending activity, the
above-mentioned waiver of late payment fees to clients
and portfolio run-off in Puerto Rico and the U.S.;

• Lower

interest

income from loans acquired in the
Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction (‘WB Loans”)
related to the normal portfolio run-off, as well as lower
yields; and

• Higher interest expense on deposits mainly due to higher
volumes in most categories, predominantly the increase in
deposits from the Puerto Rico government and higher
volumes in the U.S. to fund loan growth. These increases

were partially offset by a lower average volume of
brokered certificates of deposits and lower cost of interest
bearing deposits resulting from a higher proportion of low
cost deposits both in Puerto Rico and the U.S.

volume of deposits mainly in Puerto Rico. These assets
carry a lower yield when compared to in loans, therefore
affecting the asset composition and lowering the yield on
earning assets;

components of

Table 6 presents

the
the different
Corporation’s net interest income, on a taxable equivalent basis,
for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared with the
same period in 2015, segregated by major categories of interest
earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Net
interest
margin decreased by 26 basis points to 4.22% in 2016,
compared to 4.48% in 2015 mainly driven by the mix in the
assets composition. On a taxable equivalent basis, net interest
margin was 4.48% in 2016, compared to 4.74% in 2015. The
decline in the net interest margin was mainly attributed to a
change in the asset composition, due to the maturity of higher
yielding assets, such as WB and consumer loans in Puerto Rico
and investment in securities and commercial loans at lower
rates. On the liability side higher funding costs related to both a
higher volume of public sector deposits in Puerto Rico and
retail deposits in the U.S. to finance the asset growth. Net
interest income increased by $13.1 million year over year. On a
taxable equivalent basis, net
income increased by
$17.4 million. The main reasons for these variances were as
follows:

interest

• Higher

volume

and
investment securities by $2.2 billion due to a higher

from money market,

trading

• Higher volume from commercial and construction loans

driven by loan growth in the U.S.; and

• Higher income from leases resulting from a higher average
volume at the Puerto Rico auto and equipment leasing
and financing subsidiary.

These positive variances were partially offset by:

• Lower volume from WB loans due to normal run-off,
partially offset by higher yield as a result of the recast
process and loan resolutions;

• Lower volume from mortgage loans due to lower
origination activity in Puerto Rico and accelerate run-off
of the mortgage portfolio in the U.S.; and

• Higher interest expense on deposits driven by increases in
the volume of Puerto Rico deposits, mainly government
deposits, and higher deposit costs in the U.S. to fund loan
growth.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

21

Table 5 - Analysis of Levels & Yields on a Taxable Equivalent Basis from Continuing Operations (Non-GAAP)

Average Volume

Average Yields / Costs

2017

2016 Variance

2017

2016

Variance

Years ended December 31,

(In millions)

$ 4,481
9,594
83

$ 3,104 $1,377
2,172
(42)

7,422
125

1.15% 0.53% 0.62% Money market investments
2.74
7.20

Investment securities
Trading securities

0.02
0.62

2.72
6.58

Interest

2016

2017

Variance
(In thousands)

Variance
Attributable to

Rate

Volume

$

51,496 $
262,468
5,953

16,428 $ 35,068
60,513
201,955
(2,290)
8,243

$25,835 $ 9,233
52,034
(3,007)

8,479
717

14,158

10,651

3,507

2.26

2.13

0.13

trading securities

319,917

226,626

93,291

35,031

58,260

Total money market, investment and

9,971
829
742
6,506
3,739

9,203
726
660
6,701
3,823

21,787
1,724

21,113
1,949

23,511

23,062

768
103
82
(195)
(84)

674
(225)

449

5.19
5.64
6.35
5.53
10.59

6.27
8.59

6.44

5.08
5.38
6.71
5.54
10.42

6.25
8.99

6.49

0.11
0.26
(0.36)
(0.01)
0.17

0.02
(0.40)

(0.05)

Loans:

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer

Sub-total loans
WB loans

517,334
46,758
47,112
360,037
395,818

467,208
39,079
44,283
371,451
398,411

1,367,059
148,033

1,320,432
175,207

50,126
7,679
2,829
(11,414)
(2,593)

46,627
(27,174)

10,497
1,912
(2,479)
(608)
3,402

39,629
5,767
5,308
(10,806)
(5,995)

12,724
(7,592)

33,903
(19,582)

Total loans

1,515,092

1,495,639

19,453

5,132

14,321

$37,669

$33,713 $3,956

4.87% 5.11% (0.24)% Total earning assets

$1,835,009 $1,722,265 $112,744

$40,163 $ 72,581

$10,116
8,103
7,625

$ 7,020 $3,096
575
(285)

7,528
7,910

25,844

22,458

3,386

452
1,549

763
1,576

(311)
(27)

27,845

24,797

3,048

7,339
2,485

6,608
2,308

731
177

0.37% 0.39% (0.02)%
0.25
1.10

0.01
0.06

0.24
1.04

Interest bearing deposits:

NOW and money market [1]
Savings
Time deposits

$

37,497 $
20,217
84,150

27,548 $
18,002
82,027

9,949
2,215
2,123

$ (228) $ 10,177
1,636
(3,294)

579
5,417

0.55

1.27
4.93

0.80

0.57

1.02
4.89

0.86

(0.02)

Total deposits

0.25
0.04

Short-term borrowings
Other medium and long-term debt

141,864

127,577

14,287

5,725
76,392

7,812
77,129

(2,087)
(737)

(0.06)

Total interest bearing liabilities

223,981

212,518

11,463

5,768

1,212
(21)

6,959

8,519

(3,299)
(716)

4,504

Demand deposits
Other sources of funds

$37,669

$33,713 $3,956

0.59% 0.63% (0.04)% Total source of funds

223,981

212,518

11,463

6,959

4,504

4.28% 4.48% (0.20)%

taxable equivalent basis (Non-GAAP)

1,611,028

1,509,747

101,281

$33,204 $ 68,077

Net interest margin/ income on a

4.07% 4.25% (0.18)% Net interest spread

Taxable equivalent adjustment

109,065

87,692

21,373

3.99% 4.22% (0.23)%

non-taxable equivalent basis (GAAP)

$1,501,963 $1,422,055 $ 79,908

Net interest margin/ income

Note: The changes that are not due solely to volume or rate are allocated to volume and rate based on the proportion of the change in each category.

[1]

Includes interest bearing demand deposits corresponding to certain government entities in Puerto Rico.

22

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Table 6 - Analysis of Levels & Yields on a Taxable Equivalent Basis from Continuing Operations (Non-GAAP)

Average Volume

Average Yields / Costs

2016

2015 Variance

2016

2015

Variance

Years ended December 31,

(In millions)

$ 3,104
7,422
125

$ 2,382 $ 722
1,607
(84)

5,815
209

0.53% 0.30% 0.23% Money market investments
2.72
6.58

Investment securities
Trading securities

(0.08)
0.34

2.80
6.24

Interest

2015

2016

Variance
(In thousands)

Variance
Attributable to

Rate

Volume

$

16,428 $
201,955
8,243

7,243 $ 9,185
39,335
(4,821)

162,620
13,064

$ 7,205 $ 1,980
51,257
(11,922)
(5,498)
677

10,651

8,406

2,245

2.13

2.18

(0.05)

trading securities

226,626

182,927

43,699

(4,040)

47,739

Total money market, investment and

9,203
726
660
6,701
3,823

8,705
616
589
6,978
3,824

21,113
1,949

20,712
2,333

23,062

23,045

498
110
71
(277)
(1)

401
(384)

17

5.08
5.38
6.71
5.54
10.42

6.25
8.99

6.49

5.10
6.00
6.91
5.39
10.37

6.25
8.95

6.52

(0.02)
(0.62)
(0.20)
0.15
0.05

–
0.04

Loans:

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer

Sub-total loans

WB loans

467,208
39,079
44,283
371,451
398,411

444,307
36,939
40,749
376,308
396,411

22,901
2,140
3,534
(4,857)
2,000

1,320,432
175,207

1,294,714
208,779

25,718
(33,572)

(2,423)
(4,040)
(1,211)
10,321
196

2,843
12,088

25,324
6,180
4,745
(15,178)
1,804

22,875
(45,660)

(0.03)

Total loans

1,495,639

1,503,493

(7,854)

14,931

(22,785)

$33,713

$31,451 $2,262

5.11% 5.36% (0.25)% Total earning assets

$1,722,265 $1,686,420 $ 35,845

$ 10,891 $ 24,954

$ 7,020
7,528
7,910

$ 5,447 $1,573
501
(248)

7,027
8,158

22,458

20,632

1,826

763
1,576

1,028
1,729

(265)
(153)

24,797

23,389

1,408

6,608
2,308

6,147
1,915

461
393

0.39% 0.35% 0.04%
0.24
1.04

0.01
0.15

0.23
0.89

Interest bearing deposits:

NOW and money market [1]
Savings
Time deposits

$

27,548 $
18,002
82,027

19,061 $ 8,487
1,791
16,211
9,766
72,261

$ 4,116 $ 4,371
1,437
(468)

354
10,234

0.57

1.02
4.89

0.86

0.52

0.73
4.57

0.83

0.05

0.29
0.32

0.03

Total deposits

127,577

107,533

20,044

14,704

5,340

Short-term borrowings
Other medium and long-term debt

7,812
77,129

7,512
78,986

300
(1,857)

2,567
3,036

(2,267)
(4,893)

Total interest bearing liabilities

212,518

194,031

18,487

20,307

(1,820)

Non-interest bearing demand deposits
Other sources of funds

$33,713

$31,451 $2,262

0.63% 0.62% 0.01% Total source of funds

212,518

194,031

18,487

20,307

(1,820)

4.48% 4.74% (0.26)%

Net interest margin/income on a

taxable equivalent basis
(Non-GAAP)

4.25% 4.53% (0.28)% Net interest spread

1,509,747

1,492,389

17,358

$ (9,416) $ 26,774

Taxable equivalent adjustment

87,692

83,406

4,286

4.22% 4.48% (0.26)%

Net interest margin/ income

non-taxable equivalent basis
(GAAP)

$1,422,055 $1,408,983 $ 13,072

Note: The changes that are not due solely to volume or rate are allocated to volume and rate based on the proportion of the change in each category.

[1]

Includes interest bearing demand deposits corresponding to certain government entities in Puerto Rico.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

23

Provision for Loan Losses
loan losses totaled
The Corporation’s total provision for
$325.4 million for
the year ended December 31, 2017,
compared with $170.0 million for 2016 and $241.5 million for
2015. The provision for loan losses for the non-covered loan
portfolio
ended
$319.7 million for
December 31, 2017, compared to $171.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $148.6 million.

totaled

year

the

for

The provision for

the Puerto Rico
loan losses
non-covered portfolio amounted to $241.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2017, compared to $155.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2016. The increase of $85.8 million
was mainly related to the $61.8 million provision related to the
best estimate of the impact caused by the hurricanes on the
Puerto Rico loan portfolios, coupled with higher net charge-offs
by $28.4 million, driven by an increase of $13.8 million and
$10.6 million in the consumer and mortgage portfolios,
respectively. At December 31, 2017, within the total reserve for
reserve of
the Corporation maintained a
loan losses
$117.6 million for non-covered loans, based on the best
estimate of the impact of the hurricanes on the Corporation’s
loan portfolios. This reserve is based on the near mid-range of
the estimated credit losses related to the hurricanes, which
management had initially estimated to be in the range of
$70 million to $160 million. The impact to the provision for
loan losses of $61.8 million related to the hurricanes represents
the difference between management’s best estimate of these
losses and the amount already included as part of the reserves
such as unemployment
for
and
factors
deterioration in economic
activity, which amounted to
approximately $60 million. The consumer net charge-offs
increase was in part related to the $7.1 million recovery in 2016
from the sale of previously charged-off credit cards and
personal
loans. These increases were partially offset by a
decrease of $6.5 million related to the 2017 annual review of
the allowance for loan losses methodology, while for the year
2016 the review resulted in an increase of $9.4 million.

environmental

compared to $15.3 million for

The provision for loan losses for the U.S. operations
amounted to $77.9 million for the year ended December 31,
ended
2017,
December 31, 2016. The increase of $62.6 million was largely
related to higher reserves for the U.S. taxi medallion purchased
credit impaired portfolio and an increase of $1.9 million related
to the 2017 ALLL annual review. The effects of the 2016 annual
review were immaterial for BPNA.

the year

The provision for loan losses for the covered portfolio
amounted to $5.7 million for the year ended December 31,
2017, compared to a reversal of provision of $1.1 million for
same period of the previous year. The increase of $6.8 million
was mainly due to a $5.8 million provision for which estimated
cash flows were adjusted to reflect the payment moratorium
implemented during the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the
estimated impact of the hurricanes. The effects of the annual

24

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

review of the components of the allowance for loan losses
methodology were immaterial for the covered loans portfolio in
2017 and 2016.

for

The provision for

the Puerto Rico
loan losses
non-covered portfolio amounted to $155.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2016, compared to $216.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease of $60.9 million
was mainly related to lower net charge-offs by $47.9 million
and lower provision related to Westernbank loans by
$32.3 million. Also, the results for the year 2016 include a
recovery of $7.1 million related to the sale of previously
charged-off credit cards and personal loans and a $5.4 million
positive impact related to the bulk sale of Westernbank loans.
These reductions were partially offset by a $9.4 million impact
related to the 2016 annual review of the components of the
allowance for loan losses. The review of the ALLL methodology
in 2015 resulted in a net decrease of $2.6 million for the BPPR
segment.

compared to $0.6 million for

The provision for loan losses for the U.S. operations
amounted to $15.3 million for the year ended December 31,
2016,
ended
December 31, 2015. Higher provision levels were the result of
portfolio growth and higher net charge-offs by $5.6 million
mostly driven by higher
charge-offs of
$3.6 million. The effect of
the 2016 and 2015 annual
recalibration was immaterial for BPNA.

consumer net

year

the

The covered portfolio reflected a reversal of provision of
$1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared
to a provision of $24.0 million for same period of the previous
year. The decrease of $25.1 million was mainly due to the
reclassification to non-covered loans of the non-single family
loss
loans that were previously covered by the commercial
agreement with the FDIC in the second quarter of 2015. The
effect of the annual review of the components of the allowance
for loan losses methodology was immaterial for the covered
loans portfolio in 2016 and 2015.

Refer to the Credit Risk section of this MD&A for a detailed
the

analysis of net
assets,
allowance for loan losses and selected loan losses statistics.

charge-offs, non-performing

Non-Interest Income
For the year ended December 31, 2017, non-interest income
increased by $121.2 million when compared with the previous
year, principally due to:

• Favorable variance in FDIC loss share (expense) income
of $197.7 million as a result of a charge of $136.2 million
related to the arbitration award recorded during 2016 and
lower fair value adjustments to the true-up payment
obligation which were mainly impacted by changes in the
discount rate. Refer to Table 2 for a breakdown of FDIC
loss share expense by major categories.

This positive variance was partially offset by the following:

• Lower service charge on deposits accounts by $7.1 million
due to lower transactional cash management billings
primarily due to the effects of Hurricane Maria;

a

as

fees

• Lower other service fees by $17.5 million mainly by lower
contingency
insurance
commissions of $7.5 million;
lower debit card fees at
BPPR due to lower volume of transactions; and lower
credit card fees due to waivers offered as part of the
hurricanes relief efforts;

result of

lower

• Lower mortgage banking activities by $31.0 million in
part due to $9.9 million in lower mortgage servicing fees,
which are recognized as loan payments are collected, due
to lower mortgage payments from the moratoriums
offered as part of the hurricanes relief efforts; higher
unfavorable fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing
rights by $11.2 million; and lower net gain on sale of
loans. Refer to Note 12 for additional details on mortgage
banking activities;

impairment

• Higher other-than-temporary

losses on
investment securities by $8.1 million due to the other-
charge of $8.3 million
than-temporary impairment
recorded during the second quarter of 2017 on senior
Puerto
Financing Corporation
Tax
(“COFINA”) bonds classified as available-for-sale; and

Sales

Rico

• Unfavorable variance in gain on loans held-for-sale of
$8.7 million as a result of the sale of a non-accrual public
sector loan during 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, non-interest income
decreased by $221.6 million when compared with the previous
year, principally due to:

• Unfavorable variance

(expense)
income of $227.8 million, due to a $136.2 million write-
related to the
indemnification asset
down to the

in FDIC loss-share

the

arbitration decision, an unfavorable change in the true-up
impact of
payment obligation which includes
$17.8 million related to the arbitration decision as well as
other commercial loss share agreement adjustments. In
accounting on
addition,
there were
losses,
reimbursable expenses and credit
the
offset
partially
indemnification asset; and

lower mirror

amortization

impairment

lower

by

of

• Lower

income from mortgage banking activities by
$25.3 million mainly due to an unfavorable variance in
the valuation adjustment on mortgage servicing rights and
lower gains on securitization transactions.

These negative variances were partially offset by the

following:

• Lower

impairment

other-than-temporary

on
investment securities by $14.2 million due to the charge
recorded during the second quarter of 2015 on the
portfolio of Puerto Rico government investment securities
available-for-sale of $14.4 million;

losses

• Favorable variance in trading account (loss) profit of
$3.9 million principally resulting from favorable fair value
adjustments of P.R. government bonds;

• Higher net gain on sale of loans by $7.7 million as a result
of the gain on the sale of a non-accrual public sector loan
during the third quarter of 2016; and

• Higher other operating income by $3.1 million principally
due to higher aggregated net earnings from investments
under
an
unfavorable variance in the fair value adjustments on a
agency
contingent
business.

equity method, partially offset by

consideration at

insurance

the

the

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

25

Operating Expenses
Table 7 provides a breakdown of operating expenses by major categories.

Table 7 - Operating Expenses

(In thousands)

Personnel costs:

Salaries
Commissions, incentives and other bonuses
Pension, postretirement and medical insurance
Other personnel costs, including payroll taxes

Total personnel costs

Net occupancy expenses
Equipment expenses
Other taxes
Professional fees:

Collections, appraisals and other credit related fees
Programming, processing and other technology services
Legal fees, excluding collections
Other professional fees

Total professional fees

Communications
Business promotion
FDIC deposit insurance
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
Other real estate owned (OREO) expenses
Other operating expenses:

Credit and debit card processing, volume, interchange and other

expenses

Operational losses
All other

Total other operating expenses

Amortization of intangibles
Goodwill and trademark impairment losses
Restructuring costs

Total operating expenses

Personnel costs to average assets
Operating expenses to average assets
Employees (full-time equivalent)
Average assets per employee (in millions)

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

$ 313,394
70,099
47,533
53,204

$ 308,135
73,684
51,284
54,373

$ 304,618
79,305
44,059
49,537

$ 281,252
59,138
32,416
45,873

$ 276,072
57,060
55,106
40,459

484,230

487,476

477,519

418,679

428,697

89,194
65,142
43,382

14,415
199,873
11,763
66,437

292,488

22,466
58,445
26,392
–
48,540

26,201
39,612
51,726

117,539

9,378
–
–

85,653
62,225
42,304

14,607
205,466
42,393
60,577

323,043

23,897
53,014
24,512
–
47,119

20,796
35,995
33,656

90,447

12,144
3,801
–

86,888
60,110
39,797

23,098
191,895
26,122
67,870

308,985

25,146
52,076
27,626
–
85,568

22,854
20,663
51,558

95,075

11,019
–
18,412

86,707
48,917
56,918

26,257
173,814
28,305
53,679

282,055

25,684
54,016
40,307
532
49,611

21,588
18,543
55,242

95,373

8,160
–
26,725

86,651
46,028
58,028

32,727
174,921
15,557
54,922

278,127

25,385
59,453
56,728
3,388
79,658

19,901
17,954
54,021

91,876

–
–
–

$1,257,196

$1,255,635

$1,288,221

$1,193,684

$1,214,019

1.17%
3.04
7,784
5.32

$

1.30%
3.34
7,828
4.81

$

1.36%
3.66
7,810
4.51

$

1.19%
3.39
7,752
4.54

$

1.18%
3.37
8,059
4.50

$

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017
increased by $1.6 million, when compared with the previous
year, mostly due to:

disaster relief activities and communications in response
to the hurricanes and higher credit card reward expense;
and

• Higher net occupancy expenses by $3.5 million due to
higher repair and maintenance expense and higher energy
costs due to the hurricanes impact;

• Higher equipment expense by $2.9 million due to higher

software and maintenance expenses;

• Higher business promotions by $5.4 million mainly due to
higher sponsorship, promotion and donations related to

26

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

• Higher other operating expenses by $27.1 million as a
result of a write-down of $7.6 million recognized during
the first quarter of 2017, related to capitalized software
that was discontinued by the
cost
Corporation; higher sundry losses by $3.6 million; higher
provision for unused commitments by $2.6 million; a
write-down of $3.6 million on premises and equipment
and other costs related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

a project

for

These negative variances were partially offset by:
• Lower professional fees by $30.6 million mainly due to
lower
related to the FDIC arbitration
proceedings, which were resolved during 2016, and lower
expenses related to programming, processing and other
technology services;

legal

fees

• Lower amortization of intangibles by $2.8 million mainly
due to core deposits intangible fully amortized in 2016 at
BPPR;

• A goodwill

impairment charge of $3.8 million at the
securities subsidiary during 2016, recorded as part of the
Corporation’s annual goodwill impairment analysis.

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016
decreased by $32.6 million, or 3%, when compared with the
previous year, driven primarily by:

• Lower OREO by $38.4 million mainly due to the
$22.0 million loss on the bulk sale of covered OREOs
completed during the year 2015;

• Lower other operating expenses by $5.0 million due to
lower property tax payments on covered assets at BPPR,
most of which was related to loss sharing expenses
reimbursable by the FDIC, partially offset by higher
operational losses at BPPR and BPNA; and

• A decrease in restructuring cost by $18.4 million in

connection with the reorganization of BPNA.

These positive variances were partially offset by:
• Higher personnel cost by $10.0 million due to higher
pension, postretirement
insurance by
$7.2 million mainly driven by changes in actuarial
assumptions;

and medical

• Higher professional fees by $14.1 million as a result of
higher legal fees by $16.3 million mainly related to the
FDIC arbitration proceedings and higher programming,
processing and other technology services, partially offset
by lower collections, appraisal and other credit related
fees; and
• A goodwill

impairment charge of $3.8 million at the
securities subsidiary, recorded as part of the Corporation’s
annual goodwill impairment analysis.

INCOME TAXES
For the year ended December 31, 2017,
the Corporation
recorded income tax expense of $230.8 million, compared to
$78.8 million for the previous year. The results for the year
ended December 31, 2017 include an income tax expense of
$168.4 million as a result of the enactment of the Federal Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act, primarily from the write down of the DTA of
the Corporation’s U.S. operations, as a result of the reduction of
the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from a maximum rate
of 35% to a single tax rate of 21%. The Act contains other

provisions, effective on January 1, 2018, which may impact the
Corporation’s tax calculations and related income tax expense
in future years. At December 31, 2017, the Corporation had a
deferred tax asset amounting to $1.0 billion, net of a valuation
allowance of $0.4 billion. The DTA related to the U.S.
operations was $0.3 billion, net of a valuation allowance of
$0.4 billion.

The Government of Puerto Rico’s draft fiscal plan, submitted
in February to the PROMESA Oversight Board, proposes to
enact local comprehensive tax reform during the first half of
calendar year 2018 with the intention of spurring economic
development, lowering the cost of doing business and making
Puerto Rico more competitive. The proposed tax reform seeks
to, among other things, reduce individual and corporate income
tax rates and gradually eliminate, over a two year period, the
business-to-business sales and use tax. Maximum corporate tax
rates in particular would be reduced from a current rate of 39%
to a rate lower than 30%. The proposed changes to the tax code,
including the reductions in income tax rates, are subject to the
approval of Oversight Board due to their expected fiscal impact,
which the government estimates at approximately $757 million.
The Oversight Board has publicly asserted that any tax reform
initiative must be revenue neutral.

A reduction in corporate tax rates to 29%, if approved,
would result in a write down of the Corporation’s DTA related
to its P.R. operations of approximately $190 million, with a
corresponding charge to the Corporation’s income tax expense.
If such a reduction in the Corporation’s DTA from its P.R.
operations would have occurred as of December 31, 2017,
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital and Total Regulatory Capital
would have been reduced by an approximate 24 bps and 25
bps, respectively. On a forward-looking basis, a reduction of the
maximum corporate income tax rate to 29% could result in a
reduction in the Corporation’s effective tax rate of between 3%
and 4%.

Refer to Note 39 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for a reconciliation of the statutory income tax rate to the
effective tax rate and additional information on DTA balances.

Fourth Quarter Results
The Corporation recognized a net loss of $102.2 million for the
quarter ended December 31, 2017, compared with a net loss of
$4.1 million for the same quarter of 2016. The results for the
fourth quarter of 2017 reflect an income tax expense of
$168.4 million related to the impact of the Federal Tax Cuts
and Jobs Act on the Corporation’s U.S. deferred tax asset. These
results also include net pre-tax expenses and provision
(reversal) for loan losses amounting to $8.6 million related to
the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The results for the
fourth quarter of 2016 include an after-tax charge amounting to
$86.7 million, related to the unfavorable outcome from the
FDIC arbitration review board.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

27

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted
to $387.2 million, compared with $355.4 million for the fourth
quarter of 2016. The increase in net interest
income was
primarily due to higher income from investment securities due
to higher average balances of funds available to invest due to
increases in deposit balances, mainly in Puerto Rico. This was
partially offset by higher cost of deposits, due to higher average
balances as mentioned above.

The provision for loan losses amounted to $71.5 million for
the quarter
compared to
ended December 31, 2017,
$41.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase of
$30.1 million is reflected at BPPR by $16.6 million mainly
related to auto loans, partially offset by a decline in the
provision for commercial and mortgage loans, and at BPNA by
$13.5 million mainly related to the taxi medallion portfolio and
higher net charge offs.

Non-interest income (expense) amounted to $86.1 million
for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, compared with
$(0.2) million for the same quarter in 2016. The favorable
variance was mainly on the FDIC loss share (expense) income
due to the $116.8 million charge related to the arbitration
decision denying BPPR’s claims under
sharing
agreement and $9.9 million additional adjustments related to
restructured commercial
loans recorded in 2016. Also, the
fourth quarter of 2017 reflected a reduction in revenues related
to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, including lower credit card late
payment fees due to waivers for hurricane relief initiatives,
lower mortgage servicing fees from lower collections related to
the loan moratoriums and a higher provision for indemnity
reserves,
including $3.4 million related to the estimated
hurricane losses.

the loss

Operating expenses totaled $322.0 million for the quarter
ended December 31, 2017, compared with $320.9 million for
the same quarter in the previous year. The increase reflects
approximately $7.5 million in expenses related to the impact of
including personnel costs, occupancy and
the hurricanes,
business promotions as well as higher operational loses, which
were partially offset by lower professional fees, mainly legal
costs, and lower OREO expenses.

Income tax expense amounted to $182.1 million for the
quarter ended December 31, 2017, compared with income tax
benefit of $1.8 million for the same quarter of 2016. The results
for the fourth quarter include an income tax expense of
the
$168.4 million from the write down of
Corporation’s U.S. operations, as a result of the Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act, which reduced the maximum federal corporate tax
rate from 35% to 21%.

the DTA of

purposes, the costs incurred by the Corporate group are not
allocated to the reportable segments.

For a description of the Corporation’s reportable segments,
including additional financial information and the underlying
management accounting process, refer to Note 41 to the
consolidated financial statements.

The Corporate group reported a net loss of $60.6 million for

the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
for

Highlights on the earnings

results

the reportable

segments are discussed below:

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
The Banco Popular de Puerto Rico reportable segment’s net
income amounted to $312.4 million for
the year ended
December 31, 2017, compared with $230.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2016. The principal
that
contributed to the variance in the financial results included the
following:

factors

• Higher net interest income by $55.1 million impacted by
higher interest income on money market investments by
$34.2 million due to an increase in volume of funds
available to invest, mainly related to an increase in Puerto
Rico government deposits, and to recent increases in
interest rates. Also, higher interest income on investment
securities by $34.7 million driven by higher volumes of
mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury securities.
These variances were partially offset by lower interest
income on loans by $12.6 million driven by normal
portfolio run-off of WB loans, lower average balances of
mortgage portfolio due to lower lending activity and
waiver of late payments fees; offset by improved yields
from commercial and construction portfolio driven by the
effect on the variable portfolio of the abovementioned rise
in rates. The net interest margin in 2017 was 4.32%
compared to 4.61% in the prior year. The reduction in
margin is driven by earning asset allocation;

• Higher provision for loans losses by $98.2 million driven
by the provision related to the estimate of the impact
caused by the hurricanes on the Puerto Rico loan
portfolios, higher net charge-offs, mainly in consumer and
mortgage portfolios, and the impact of adjusting cash
flows
the
aforementioned payment moratorium. These unfavorable
variances were partially offset by a decrease related to the
allowance for loan losses methodology annual review;
• Higher non-interest income by $120.8 million mainly due

portfolio

covered

reflect

the

to

of

to:

REPORTABLE SEGMENT RESULTS
The Corporation’s reportable segments for managerial reporting
purposes consist of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and Banco
Popular North America. A Corporate group has been defined to
the reportable segments. For managerial reporting
support

• Favorable variance in FDIC loss share (expense)
income by $197.7 million driven by the impact of
arbitration award charges of $136.2 million
recorded in prior year and by lower fair value
adjustment to the true-up payment obligation,

28

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

which were mainly impacted by changes in the
discount rate;

repairs and maintenance expense associated with
hurricanes impact;

Partially offset by:

• Lower service charges on deposits accounts by
$7.5 million driven by lower transactional cash
management fees primarily related to the effects
of Hurricane Maria;

• Lower other service fees by $17.6 million mostly
due to lower insurance fees resulting from lower
contingency commissions of $7.5 million, lower
debit card fees driven by lower volume of
transactions, and lower credit card fees due to
waivers provided as part of the hurricanes relief
efforts;

• Lower income from mortgage banking activities
by $31.1 million driven by a higher unfavorable
fair value adjustment on MSRs, lower mortgage
from
fees,
servicing
securitization transactions;

and lower net

gains

• Unfavorable variance in gain (loss) on sale and
valuation adjustment on investment securities of
$8.0 million principally resulting from other-
than-temporary impairment
losses on senior
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation
(COFINA) bonds;

• Lower net gain on sale of loans by $8.7 million
mainly due to the gain on the sale of a
non-accrual public sector loan during 2016; and

• Unfavorable variance in expense to indemnity
reserves of $3.4 million driven by higher credit
recourse reserve, including the estimated impact
of the Hurricane Maria;

• Lower operating expenses by $1.9 million, mainly due to:

• Lower personnel cost by $3.4 million mostly

driven by lower commissions expense;

• Favorable

variance

$29.9 million

in
of
professional fees due to lower legal fees related to
the FDIC arbitration proceedings resolved in
2016,
to
programming, processing and other technology
services; and

expenses

related

lower

and

• Lower amortization of intangibles by $6.7 million
mainly due to the impact in 2016 results of the
core deposits intangible fully amortized and
goodwill impairment charge;

Partially offset by:

• Higher net occupancy expense by $3.2 million
mostly driven by higher energy costs and higher

due

• An increase of $2.9 million in business
promotions
sponsorship,
to
promotions and donations related to disaster
relief activities and communications in response
to the hurricanes, and higher credit cards reward
expenses;

higher

• Unfavorable variance of $3.1 million in FDIC

deposit insurance due to asset growth;

• Higher OREO expense by $3.1 million due to
higher write-downs on commercial and mortgage
properties
and higher mortgage properties
expenses; partially offset by a favorable variance
in net gains on sale of foreclosed asset; and

•

Increase of $24.8 million in other operating
expenses driven by a write-down of $7.6 million
related to capitalized software cost charged-off on
a discontinued project, higher sundry losses by
$6.5 million due to higher operational and
mortgage servicing losses, and $5.0 million of
other costs related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria,
including a premises and equipment write-down
of $3.6 million;

• Favorable variance in income tax expense by $2.9 million
mainly due to a lesser amount of reversal of reserves for
uncertain tax positions than in previous year.

The Banco Popular de Puerto Rico reportable segment’s net
income amounted to $230.1 million for
the year ended
December 31, 2016, compared with $318.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2015. The main factors that contributed to
the unfavorable variance of $88.3 million in the financial results
included the following:

• Lower net interest income by $6.8 million impacted by
lower interest income from loans by $35.9 million driven
by normal portfolio run-off of WB loans, partially offset
by higher
securities by
$21.9 million due to higher volume of investments. The
net interest margin in 2016 was 4.61% compared to 4.87%
in the prior year. The reduction in margin is driven by
earning asset allocation;

from investment

income

• Lower provision for loans losses by $86.0 million due to
lower net charge-offs and lower provision for the WB
portfolio including losses on proposed bulk sales of loans
acquired from WB of $15.2 million recognized in 2015;
• Lower non-interest income by $221.4 million mainly due

to:

• Unfavorable

variance

share
(expense) income by $227.8 million due to a
the
$136.2

in FDIC loss

write-down

million

to

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

29

indemnification asset related to the arbitration
decision, an unfavorable change in the true-up
payment obligation, and lower mirror accounting
on reimbursable expenses and credit impairment
losses, partially offset by lower amortization of
the indemnification asset; and

• Lower income from mortgage banking activities
by $25.4 million driven by an unfavorable fair
value adjustment on MSRs and lower gains from
securitization transactions;

Partially offset by:

• Lower other-than-temporary impairment losses
on investment securities by $14.2 million, which
is mostly driven by the charge recorded during
the second quarter of 2015 on the portfolio of
Puerto Rico government
investment securities
available-for-sale of $14.4 million;

• Favorable variance in trading account (loss)
profit of $3.7 million principally resulting from
favorable fair value adjustments of Puerto Rico
government obligations;

• Higher net gain on sale of loans by $7.5 million
as a result of the gain on the sale of a non-accrual
public sector loan during 2016; and

• Higher other operating income by $4.8 million
due to higher aggregated net earnings from
investments under the equity method, partially
offset by an unfavorable variance in the fair value
adjustments on a contingent consideration at the
insurance agency business;

• Lower operating expenses by $13.4 million, mainly due

to:

• A decrease in OREO expense by $34.5 million
due to the $22.0 million loss on the bulk sale of
covered OREOs during 2015 and lower write-
downs on commercial properties, partially offset
by lower net gains on sales of commercial
properties;

Partially offset by:

• Higher personnel cost by $8.7 million mainly due
to increases in headcount associated with the
Doral Bank Transaction, and higher pension,
postretirement benefits, and medical insurance;
and

• An increase of $12.1 million in professional fees
mostly driven by higher legal fees mainly related
to the FDIC arbitration proceedings and higher
technology
lower
fees, partially
collections and appraisal fees;

offset

by

• Lower income tax expense by $40.4 million mainly due to
lower taxable income and the reversal of reserves for
uncertain tax positions.

Banco Popular North America
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the reportable segment
loss of
of Banco Popular North America reported net
$147.6 million, compared with a net income of $47.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 2016. The principal factors
that contributed to the variance in the financial results included
the following:

• Higher net interest income by $22.5 million mainly due to
higher interest
income from loans by $30.5 million
principally driven by higher volume from commercial and
higher volume and yield from construction loans, and
higher interest
income from investment securities by
$4.6 million due to higher average balances and yield.
These favorable variances were partially offset by lower
yields from commercial loans and higher interest expense
from deposits by $12.4 million driven by higher volume
and cost of money market deposits and time deposits. The
BPNA reportable segment’s net interest margin was 3.51%
for 2017 compared with 3.64% for the same period in
2016;

• Unfavorable variance in the provision for loan losses by
$62.7 million driven by portfolio growth, higher net
charge-offs and higher reserves for the U.S. taxi medallion
purchased credit impaired portfolio;

• Lower non-interest income by $1.2 million mostly due to
the reversal of a loan indemnification reserve recorded in
2016;

• Lower operating expenses by $2.7 million driven by a
decrease in other operating expenses by $3.5 million due
to lower operational losses, and lower OREO expense by
$1.6 million due lower commercial properties expenses,
including the impact of
insurance reimbursements of
$1.0 million. These favorable variances were partially
offset by higher business promotion by $2.8 million
including
driven
advertising, promotions and direct mailing due to new
initiatives; and

higher marketing

expenses,

by

• Income taxes unfavorable variance of $155.0 million
mainly driven by the partial write-down of the deferred
tax asset because of the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act. The Act reduces the maximum federal Corporate tax
rate, thus resulting in lower realizable benefit at lower
taxable rates.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the reportable segment
of Banco Popular North America reported net
income of
$47.3 million, compared with $648.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2015. In addition to the recognition during 2015 of

30

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

a tax benefit of $589.0 million as a result of the partial reversal of
the valuation allowance of a portion of its deferred tax asset, the
principal factors that contributed to the unfavorable variance of
$601.3 million in the financial results included the following:

• Unfavorable variance in the provision for loan losses by
$14.6 million driven by portfolio growth and higher net
charge-offs; offset by

• Higher net interest income by $19.0 million mainly due to
higher interest
income from loans by $37.4 million
principally driven by higher volume from commercial
loans and higher volume and yield from consumer loans,
partially offset by higher interest expense from deposits by
$19.6 million driven by higher volume and cost of money
market deposits and time deposits. The BPNA reportable
segment’s net
interest margin was 3.64% for 2016
compared with 3.90% for the same period in 2015;

• Lower operating expenses by $13.0 million driven by
$18.4 million in restructuring cost recorded in 2015 in
connection with the reorganization of BPNA, lower OREO
expense by $4.0 million due to lower write-downs on
commercial properties, and a decrease in FDIC deposit
insurance by $2.4 million due to a lower assessment rate by
the FDIC, partially offset by higher personnel cost by
$2.3 million due to higher medical insurance claims, higher
professional fees by $3.8 million mainly due to loan servicing
fees and technology fees, and higher other operating expenses
by $6.1 million related to higher operational losses; and

• Income taxes unfavorable variance of $617.4 million
mainly driven by the recognition during 2015 of a tax
benefit of $589.0 million, as discussed above.

total

$44.3

assets were

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ANALYSIS
Assets
The Corporation’s
billion at
December 31, 2017, compared to $38.7 billion at December 31,
2016 due mainly to an increase in investments as a result of the
deployment of additional funds from deposit growth. Refer to
the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial
Condition at December 31, 2017 and 2016 included in this
2017 Annual Report. Also, refer to the Statistical Summary
2013-2017 in this MD&A for Condensed Statements of
Financial Condition for the past five years.

Money market, trading and investment securities
Money market investments totaled $5.3 billion at December 31,
2017 compared to $2.9 billion at December 31, 2016. The
increase was mainly at BPPR due to higher liquidity driven by
an increase in deposits.

Trading account securities amounted to $43 million at
December 31, 2017, compared to $60 million at December 31,
2016. The decrease was at the BPPR segment, mainly mortgage-
backed securities. Refer to the Market / Interest Rate Risk

section of this MD&A for a table that provides a breakdown of
the trading portfolio by security type.

Investment securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity
amounted to $10.3 billion at December 31, 2017, compared to
$8.3 billion at 2016. The increase of $2.0 billion was mainly at
BPPR due to purchases of U.S. Treasury securities and
mortgage-backed agency pools driven by an increase in funds
available to invest from increased liquidity, as discussed above.
Table 8 provides a breakdown of the Corporation’s portfolio of
investment
and
held-to-maturity (“HTM”) on a combined basis. Also, Notes 7
and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provide
additional
to the Corporation’s
investment securities AFS and HTM.

information with respect

available-for-sale

securities

(“AFS”)

Table 8 - Breakdown of Investment Securities Available-for-
Sale and Held-to-Maturity

(In thousands)

U.S. Treasury securities
Obligations of U.S. Government

sponsored entities

Obligations of Puerto Rico, States

and political subdivisions

Collateralized mortgage

obligations

Mortgage-backed securities
Equity securities
Others
Total investment securities AFS

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

$ 3,928,164

$2,136,620

608,933

711,850

99,364

118,798

943,819
4,688,662
1,815
1,802

1,221,600
4,105,332
2,122
11,585

and HTM

$10,272,559

$8,307,907

Loans
Refer to Table 9 for a breakdown of the Corporation’s loan
portfolio,
the principal category of earning assets. Loans
covered under the FDIC loss sharing agreements are presented
separately in Table 9. The risks on covered loans are
significantly different as a result of the loss protection provided
by the FDIC. The FDIC loss sharing agreements expired on
June 30, 2015 for commercial (including construction) and
consumer loans, and expires on June 30, 2020 for single-family
residential loans. As of December 31, 2017, the Corporation’s
covered loans portfolio amounted to $517 million, comprised
mainly of residential mortgage loans.

total

The Corporation’s

loan portfolio amounted to
$24.9 billion at December 31, 2017, compared to $23.4 billion
at December 31, 2016. Refer to Note 9 for detailed information
about the Corporation’s loan portfolio composition and loan
purchases and sales.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

31

Table 9 - Loans Ending Balances

(in thousands)

Loans not covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements:

Commercial
Construction
Legacy [1]
Lease financing
Mortgage
Consumer

2017

2016

At December 31,
2015

2014

2013

$11,488,861
880,029
32,980
809,990
7,270,407
3,810,527

$10,798,507
776,300
45,293
702,893
6,696,361
3,754,393

$10,099,163
681,106
64,436
627,650
7,036,081
3,837,679

$ 8,134,267
251,820
80,818
564,389
6,502,886
3,870,271

$10,037,184
206,084
211,135
543,761
6,681,476
3,932,226

Total non-covered loans held-in-portfolio

24,292,794

22,773,747

22,346,115

19,404,451

21,611,866

Loans covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements:

Commercial
Construction
Mortgage
Consumer

Loans covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements

–
–
502,930
14,344

517,274

–
–
556,570
16,308

572,878

–
–
627,102
19,013

646,115

1,614,781
70,336
822,986
34,559

1,812,804
190,127
934,373
47,123

2,542,662

2,984,427

Total loans held-in-portfolio

24,810,068

23,346,625

22,992,230

21,947,113

24,596,293

Loans held-for-sale:
Commercial
Construction
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer

Total loans held-for-sale

Total loans

–
–
–
132,395
–

132,395

–
–
–
88,821
–

88,821

45,074
95
–
91,831
–

137,000

309
–
319
100,166
5,310

106,104

603
–
–
109,823
–

110,426

$24,942,463

$23,435,446

$23,129,230

$22,053,217

$24,706,719

[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA reportable segment.

securitization activity during the fourth quarter of 2017 at
BPPR due to operational delays caused by Hurricane Maria.

Covered loans
The covered loans portfolio amounted to $517 million at
December 31, 2017, compared to $573 million at December 31,
2016. The decrease of $56 million is due to loan resolutions
and the normal portfolio run-off. Refer to Table 9 for a
breakdown of covered loans by major loan type categories.

Tables 10 and 11 provide the activity in the carrying amount
and outstanding discount on the Westernbank loans accounted
for under ASC 310-30. The outstanding accretable discount is
impacted by changes in cash flow expectations on the loan pool
based on quarterly revisions of the portfolio. An increase in the
accretable discount is recognized as interest income using the
effective yield method over the estimated life of each applicable
loan pool.

loans

increased

held-in-portfolio

Non-covered loans
by
non-covered
The
$1.5 billion from December 31, 2016 mainly driven by growth
in the commercial and construction loan portfolios at BPNA by
$0.7 billion and an increase of $0.8 billion in mortgage loans at
BPPR due to the rebooking of loans previously pooled into
GNMA securities. Under the GNMA program, issuers such as
BPPR have the option but not the obligation to repurchase
loans that are 90 days or more past due. For accounting
purposes, these loans subject to the repurchase option are
required to be reflected on the financial statements of the
Corporation with an offsetting liability. While the borrowers for
our serviced GNMA portfolio benefited from the loan payment
moratorium, the delinquency status of these loans continued to
be reported to GNMA without considering the moratorium.

The loans held-for-sale portfolio increased by $44 million
loan

from December 31, 2016, due to lower volume of

32

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Table 10 - Activity in the Carrying Amount of Westernbank Loans Accounted for Under ASC 310-30

(In thousands)

Beginning balance
Accretion
Collections / loan sales / charge-offs [1]

Ending balance [2]

Allowance for loan losses (ALLL)

Ending balance, net of ALLL

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

$1,738,329
142,605
(288,013)

$1,592,921
(70,129)

$1,974,501
169,748
(405,920)

$1,738,329
(68,877)

$1,522,792

$1,669,452

[1] For the year ended December 31, 2016, includes the impact of the bulk sale of loans with a carrying value of approximately $99 million.
[2] The carrying amount of loans acquired from Westernbank and accounted for under ASC 310-30 which remain subject to the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC

amounted to approximately $507 million as of December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $563 million).

Table 11 - Activity in the Accretable Yield on Westernbank Loans Accounted for Under ASC 310-30

(In thousands)

Beginning balance
Accretion [1]
Change in expected cash flows

Ending balance

[1]

Positive to earnings, which is included in interest income.

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

$1,010,087
(142,605)
13,233

$1,112,458
(169,748)
67,377

$ 880,715

$1,010,087

Table 12 sets forth the activity in the FDIC loss share asset for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

Table 12 - Activity of Loss Share Asset

(In thousands)

Balance at beginning of year
Amortization of loss share indemnification asset
Credit impairment losses to be covered under loss sharing agreements
Reimbursable expenses
Net payments from FDIC under loss sharing agreements
Arbitration decision charge
Other adjustments attributable to FDIC loss sharing agreements

Balance at end of period

Balance due to the FDIC for recoveries on covered assets [1]

Balance at end of period

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016

2017

$ 69,334
(469)
3,136
2,454
(22,589)
–
(5,550)

$ 310,221
(10,201)
(239)
8,433
(102,596)
(136,197)
(87)

$ 542,454
(66,238)
15,658
73,205
(247,976)
–
(6,882)

$ 46,316

$ 69,334

$ 310,221

(1,124)

(27,578)

(5,570)

$ 45,192

$ 41,756

$ 304,651

[1]

Balance due to the FDIC for recoveries on covered assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 amounting to $27.6 million and $5.6 million,
respectively, was included in other liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Condition.

FDIC loss share asset
The FDIC loss share indemnification asset is recognized on the
same basis as the assets subject to the loss share protection
from the FDIC, except that the amortization / accretion terms
differ. The Corporation revises its expected cash flows and
estimated credit
losses on a quarterly basis. Decreases in
expected reimbursements from the FDIC due to improvements
in expected cash flows to be received from borrowers, as
compared with the initial estimates, are recognized as a

reduction to non-interest income prospectively over the life of
the loss share agreements. This is because the indemnification
asset balance is reduced to the expected reimbursement amount
from the FDIC (amortization). In contrast, an increase to
non-interest income is recognized as a result of increases in
expected reimbursements due
estimates
(accretion). Table 13 presents the activity associated with the
outstanding balance of the FDIC loss share asset amortization
(or negative discount).

to higher

loss

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

33

Table 13 - Activity in the Remaining FDIC Loss Share Asset Amortization

(In thousands)

Balance at beginning of period [1]
Amortization of negative discount [2]
Impact of changes in (higher) lower projected losses

Balance at end of period

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

$ 4,812
(469)
(2,781)

$ 26,100
(10,201)
(11,087)

$ 53,095
(66,238)
39,243

$ 1,562

$ 4,812

$ 26,100

Positive balance represents negative discount (debit to assets), while a negative balance represents a discount (credit to assets).

[1]
[2] Amortization results in a negative impact to non-interest income, while accretion results in a positive impact to non-interest income, particularly FDIC loss share

(expense) income.

Other real estate owned
Other real estate owned represents real estate property received
in satisfaction of debt. At December 31, 2017, OREO decreased
to $189 million from $213 million at December 31, 2016
mainly in residential properties at BPPR and the write-down of
$2.7 million for damages associated with Hurricane Maria.
Refer to Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for
the activity in other real estate owned. The amounts included as
“covered other real estate” are subject to the FDIC loss sharing
agreement.

Other assets
Refer to Note 16 for a breakdown of the principal categories
that comprise the caption of “Other Assets” in the Consolidated
Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2017 and
2016. Other
$154 million from
December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017, due mostly to a
reduction in the U.S. operations net deferred tax asset due to
the write-down taken as a result of the impact of the Act. Refer
to Note 39 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for
additional information.

assets decreased by

Accrued income receivable
Accrued income receivable increased by $76 million mainly due
to interest accrued but not yet collected resulting from the loan
payment moratorium.

Liabilities
The Corporation’s
liabilities were $39.2 billion at
December 31, 2017, compared to $33.5 billion at December 31,
2016. Refer to the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of
Financial Condition included in this Form 10-K.

total

Mortgage servicing assets
Mortgage
servicing assets decreased by $29 million to
$168 million principally driven by unfavorable changes in fair
value and runoff of the servicing portfolio.

Deposits and Borrowings
The composition of the Corporation’s financing to total assets at
December 31, 2017 and 2016 is included in Table 14.

Table 14 - Financing to Total Assets

(In millions)

Non-interest bearing deposits
Interest-bearing core deposits
Other interest-bearing deposits
Repurchase agreements
Other short-term borrowings
Notes payable
Other liabilities
Stockholders’ equity

N.M. – Not meaningful.

Deposits
at
The Corporation’s
December 31, 2017, compared to $30.5 billion at December 31,
2016. The deposits increase of $5.0 billion was mainly due to
an increase in retail and commercial savings, NOW deposits,

deposits

totaled

billion

$35.5

34

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

December 31, December 31, % increase (decrease) % of total assets
2016

from 2016 to 2017

2016

2017

2017

$ 8,491
22,394
4,569
391
96
1,536
1,696
5,104

$ 6,980
18,776
4,740
480
1
1,575
912
5,198

21.6%
19.3
(3.6)
(18.5)
N.M.
(2.5)
86.0
(1.8)

19.2% 18.0%
50.6
10.3
0.9
0.2
3.5
3.8
11.5

48.6
12.3
1.2
–
4.1
2.4
13.4

demand deposits from the Puerto Rico public sector and retail
and commercial checking accounts at BPPR. Refer to Table 15
for a breakdown of the Corporation’s deposits at December 31,
2017 and 2016.

Table 15 - Deposits Ending Balances

(In thousands)

Demand deposits [1]
Savings, NOW and money market deposits (non-brokered)
Savings, NOW and money market deposits (brokered)
Time deposits (non-brokered)
Time deposits (brokered CDs)

Total deposits

[1]

Includes interest and non-interest bearing demand deposits.

Borrowings
The Corporation’s borrowings
remained relatively flat at
$2.0 billion at December 31, 2017, compared to $2.1 billion at
December 31, 2016. Refer to Note 20 to the Consolidated
Financial
information on the
Corporation’s borrowings. Also, refer to the Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements and Other Commitments section in this MD&A
information on the Corporation’s contractual
for additional
obligations.

Statements

detailed

for

Other liabilities
The Corporation’s other liabilities amounted to $1.7 billion at
December 31, 2017, an increase of $0.8 billion when compared
to December 31, 2016. The increase was due to an increase in
the liability for GNMA loans sold with a repurchase option of
$0.8 billion due to an increase in delinquency resulting from
the moratorium, as noted above.

Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders’ equity totaled $5.1 billion at December 31, 2017,
compared to $5.2 billion at December 31, 2016. The decrease
was mainly related to the impact of
the common stock
repurchase plan of $75 million completed during the first
quarter of 2017 and higher accumulated other comprehensive
loss by $30 million principally in unrealized losses on securities
available-for-sale.

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

$12,460,081
15,054,242
424,307
7,411,140
103,738

$ 9,053,897
13,327,298
405,487
7,486,717
222,825

$ 7,221,238
11,440,693
382,424
7,274,157
891,211

$ 6,606,060
10,320,782
406,248
5,960,401
1,514,044

$ 6,590,963
11,255,309
553,521
6,478,103
1,833,249

$35,453,508

$30,496,224

$27,209,723

$24,807,535

$26,711,145

Refer to the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition,
Comprehensive Income and of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
for information on the composition of stockholders’ equity.
Also, refer to Note 25 for a detail of accumulated other
comprehensive loss, an integral component of stockholders’
equity.

REGULATORY CAPITAL
Popular, Inc. and the Banks, BPPR and BPNA are subject to
capital adequacy standards established by the Federal Reserve.
The current risk-based capital standards applicable to the
Corporation and the Banks are based on the final capital
framework of Basel III. The capital rules of Basel III which
became effective on January 1, 2015, introduced a new capital
measure called “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”) and specify
that Tier 1 capital consist of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1
Capital” instruments meeting specified requirements. Prior to
January 1, 2015, the risk-based capital standards applicable to
the Corporation and the Banks were based on Basel I. Table 16
presents the Corporation’s capital adequacy information for the
years 2013 through 2017 under
the regulatory guidance
applicable during those years. Note 24 to the consolidated
information on the
financial
Corporation’s regulatory capital requirements,
including the
regulatory capital ratios of its depository institutions, BPPR and
BPNA. The Corporation continues
to exceed the well-
capitalized guidelines under the federal banking regulations.

statements presents

further

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

35

Table 16 - Capital Adequacy Data

(Dollars in thousands)

Risk-based capital:

Common Equity Tier 1 capital

Tier 1 capital
Supplementary (Tier 2) capital

Total capital

Total risk-weighted assets

Adjusted average quarterly assets

Ratios:

Common Equity Tier 1 capital
Tier 1 capital
Total capital
Leverage ratio
Average equity to assets
Average tangible equity to assets
Average equity to loans

2017

2016

At December 31,
2015

2014

2013

$ 4,226,519

$ 4,121,208

4,049,576

(A)

(A)

$ 4,226,519
758,746

$ 4,121,208
748,007

$ 4,049,576
642,833

$ 3,849,891
272,347

$ 4,464,742
296,813

$ 4,985,265

$ 4,869,215

$ 4,692,409

$ 4,122,238

$ 4,761,555

$25,935,696

$25,001,334

$24,987,144

$21,233,902

$23,318,674

$42,185,805

$37,785,070

$34,253,625

$32,250,173

$34,746,137

16.30%
16.30
19.22
10.02
12.91
11.48
22.73

16.48%
16.48
19.48
10.91
14.03
12.45
22.89

16.21%
16.21
18.78
11.82
13.37
11.95
20.42

(A)
18.13%
19.41
11.94
12.95
11.45
19.17

(A)
19.15%
20.42
12.85
11.52
9.78
16.88

(A) Common equity tier 1 capital measured was introduced by the Basel III Capital Rules which became effective on January 1, 2015. Common equity tier 1 capital is

not applicable under the previous Basel 1 capital rules that were applicable in the previous years.

The decrease in the CET1 capital ratio, Tier 1 capital ratio
and total capital ratio on December 31, 2017 compared to
December 31, 2016 was mostly due to the common stock
repurchase of $75 million during the first quarter of 2017, the
transition period impact on deferred tax assets and higher risk
weighted assets by $0.9 billion mainly driven by an increase of
$1.5 billion in loans held-in-portfolio which included growth in
commercial and construction loans and higher mortgage loans
due to the rebooking of loans previously pooled into GNMA
securities; partially offset by this year’s earnings. The decrease
in leverage ratio compared to 2016 was mainly due to the
increase in average total assets driven by increases
in
investment balances and higher loans held-in-portfolio.

To be considered “well-capitalized” an institution had to
maintain a total capital ratio of 10%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8%,
a CET1 capital ratio of 6.5% and a leverage ratio of 5%. The
Corporation’s ratios presented in Table 16 show that
the
Corporation was “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes, the
highest classification, under Basel III for 2017, 2016 and for all
other years presented under Basel I. BPPR and BPNA were also
well-capitalized for all years presented.

The Basel III Capital Rules also introduce a new 2.5%
“capital conservation buffer”, composed entirely of CET1, on
top of the three minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. The
capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during
periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of
CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below
face constraints on
the capital conservation buffer will

dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the
amount of
the shortfall. Thus, when fully phased-in on
January 1, 2019, Popular, BPPR and BPNA will be required to
maintain such an additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5%
of CET1, effectively resulting in minimum ratios of (i) CET1 to
risk-weighted assets of at least 7%, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-
weighted assets of at least 8.5%, and (iii) Total capital to risk-
weighted assets of at least 10.5%.

Table 17 reconciles

the Corporation’s

total common

stockholders’ equity to common equity Tier 1 capital.

Table 17 - Reconciliation Common Equity Tier 1 Capital

(In thousands)

At December 31,
2016
2017

Common stockholders’ equity

$5,053,745

$5,147,797

AOCI related adjustments due to

opt-out election

Goodwill, net of associated deferred

307,619

280,330

tax liability (DTL)

(561,604)

(554,614)

Intangible assets, net of associated

DTLs

Deferred tax assets and other

deductions

(28,538)

(25,662)

(544,703)

(726,643)

Common equity tier 1 capital

$4,226,519

$4,121,208

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-

weighted assets

16.30%

16.48%

36

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Non-GAAP financial measures
The tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per
common share, which are presented in the table that follows,
are non-GAAP measures. Management and many stock analysts
use the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value
per common share in conjunction with more traditional bank
capital ratios to compare the capital adequacy of banking
organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other
intangible assets,
the
purchase accounting method of accounting for mergers and
acquisitions. Neither tangible common equity nor tangible
assets or related measures should be considered in isolation or
as a substitute for stockholders’ equity, total assets or any other
measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted
in the United States of America
accounting principles
(“GAAP”). Moreover, the manner in which the Corporation
calculates its tangible common equity, tangible assets and any
other related measures may differ from that of other companies
reporting measures with similar names.

typically stemming from the use of

Table 18 provides a reconciliation of total stockholders’
equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible
assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Table 18 - Reconciliation Tangible Common Equity and
Assets

(In thousands, except share or per
share information)

Total stockholders’ equity
Less: Preferred stock
Less: Goodwill
Less: Other intangibles

At December 31,

2017

2016

$ 5,103,905
(50,160)
(627,294)
(35,672)

$ 5,197,957
(50,160)
(627,294)
(45,050)

Total tangible common equity

$ 4,390,779

$ 4,475,453

Total assets
Less: Goodwill
Less: Other intangibles

Total tangible assets

Tangible common equity to tangible

assets at end of period

Common shares outstanding at end

$ 44,277,337
(627,294)
(35,672)

$ 38,661,609
(627,294)
(45,050)

$ 43,614,371

$ 37,989,265

10.07%

11.78%

of period

102,068,981

103,790,932

Tangible book value per common

share

$

43.02

$

43.12

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER
COMMITMENTS
In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation engages in
financial transactions that are not recorded on the balance
sheet, or may be recorded on the balance sheet in amounts that
are different than the full contract or notional amount of the
transaction. As a provider of financial services, the Corporation
routinely enters into commitments with off-balance sheet risk

its

the

financial needs of

to meet
customers. These
commitments may include loan commitments and standby
letters of credit. These commitments are subject to the same
credit policies and approval process used for on-balance sheet
instruments. These instruments involve, to varying degrees,
elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount
recognized in the statement of financial position. Other types of
off-balance sheet arrangements that the Corporation enters in
the ordinary course of business include derivatives, operating
leases and provision of guarantees,
indemnifications, and
representation and warranties. Refer to Note 26 for a detailed
discussion related to the Corporation’s obligations under credit
recourse and representation and warranties arrangements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The Corporation has various financial obligations, including
contractual obligations and commercial commitments, which
require future cash payments on debt and lease agreements.
Also, in the normal course of business, the Corporation enters
into contractual arrangements whereby it commits to future
purchases of products or
from third parties.
Obligations that are legally binding agreements, whereby the
Corporation agrees to purchase products or services with a
specific minimum quantity defined at a fixed, minimum or
variable price over a specified period of time, are defined as
purchase obligations.

services

Purchase obligations

legal and binding
include major
contractual obligations outstanding at
the end of 2017,
primarily for services, equipment and real estate construction
projects. Services include software licensing and maintenance,
facilities maintenance, supplies purchasing, and other goods or
services used in the operation of the business. Generally, these
contracts are renewable or cancelable at
least annually,
although in some cases the Corporation has committed to
contracts that may extend for several years to secure favorable
pricing concessions.

As previously indicated, the Corporation also enters into
derivative contracts under which it is required either to receive
or pay cash, depending on changes in interest rates. These
fair value on the consolidated
contracts are carried at
statements of
value
condition with the
financial
representing the net present value of the expected future cash
receipts and payments based on market rates of interest as of
the statement of condition date. The fair value of the contract
changes daily as interest rates change. The Corporation may
also be required to post additional collateral on margin calls on
the derivatives and repurchase transactions.

fair

At December 31, 2017,

the aggregate contractual cash
obligations, including purchase obligations and borrowings, by
maturities, are presented in Table 19.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

37

Table 19 - Contractual Obligations

(In thousands)
Certificates of deposits
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
Other short-term borrowings
Long-term debt
Purchase obligations
Annual rental commitments under operating leases
Capital leases
Total contractual cash obligations

Under the Corporation’s repurchase agreements, Popular is
required to deposit cash or qualifying securities to meet margin
requirements. To the extent
the value of securities
previously pledged as collateral declines because of changes in
interest rates,
the Corporation will be required to deposit
additional cash or securities to meet its margin requirements,
thereby adversely affecting its liquidity.

that

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation’s liability on its
pension, restoration and postretirement benefit plans amounted
to approximately $220 million, compared with $244 million at
December 31, 2016. The Corporation’s expected contributions
to the pension and benefit restoration plans are minimal, while
the expected contributions to the postretirement benefit plan to
fund current benefit payment requirements are estimated at
$6.3 million for 2018. Obligations to these plans are based on
current and projected obligations of the plans, performance of
the plan assets, if applicable, and any participant contributions.
Refer to Note 33 to the consolidated financial statements for
further information on these plans. Management believes that
the effect of the pension and postretirement plans on liquidity
is not
financial
condition. The BPPR’s non-contributory defined pension and
benefit restoration plans are frozen with regards to all future
benefit accruals.

to the Corporation’s overall

significant

At December 31, 2017,

the liability for uncertain tax
positions was $7.3 million, compared with $7.4 million as of
the end of 2016. This liability represents an estimate of tax
positions that the Corporation has taken in its tax returns
which may ultimately not be sustained upon examination by

Table 20 - Off-Balance Sheet Lending and Other Activities

(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit
Commercial letters of credit
Standby letters of credit
Commitments to originate or fund mortgage loans
Total

38

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Less than
1 year
$3,941,152
390,921
96,208
253,793
88,929
31,886
1,295
$4,804,184

Payments Due by Period
3 to 5
years
$1,292,255
–
–
23,189
32,948
49,082
3,794
$1,401,268

1 to 3
years
$2,233,815
–
–
718,090
95,534
58,005
3,069
$3,108,513

After 5
years
$ 47,656
–
–
522,642
11,798
107,986
10,484
$700,566

Total
$ 7,514,878
390,921
96,208
1,517,714
229,209
246,959
18,642
$10,014,531

the tax authorities. The ultimate amount and timing of any
future cash settlements cannot be predicted with reasonable
certainty. Under the statute of
limitations, the liability for
uncertain tax positions expires as follows: 2018 - $1.1 million,
2019 - $1.1 million, 2020 - $1.5 million, 2021 - $1.1 million,
and 2022 - $1.1 million. Additionally, $1.4 million is not
subject to the statute of limitations. As a result of examinations,
the Corporation anticipates a reduction in the total amount of
unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months, which
including
could amount
interests.

to approximately $4.6 million,

The Corporation also utilizes

lending-related financial
instruments in the normal course of business to accommodate
its customers. The Corporation’s
the financial needs of
exposure to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the
other party to the financial instrument for commitments to
extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of
credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of
these instruments. The Corporation uses credit procedures and
policies
and conditional
obligations as it does in extending loans to customers. Since
many of the commitments expire without being drawn upon or
a default occurring, the total contractual amounts are not
representative of
credit
the Corporation’s
exposure or liquidity requirements for these commitments.

in making those

commitments

future

actual

The following table presents the contractual amounts related
lending and other

to the Corporation’s off-balance sheet
activities at December 31, 2017:

Amount of commitment - Expiration Period
Years 2023 -
Years 2021 -
Years 2019 -
thereafter
2022
2020
$43,266
$150,099
$499,905
–
–
1,749
–
–
26,768
–
–
564
$43,266
$150,099
$528,986

2018
$6,871,688
367
6,865
14,733
$6,893,653

Total
$7,564,958
2,116
33,633
15,297
$7,616,004

RISK MANAGEMENT
Managing risk is an essential component of the Corporation’s
business. Risk identification and monitoring are key elements
in the overall
risk management. Popular has a strong
disciplined risk management culture where risk management is
a shared responsibility by all employees.

• Operational Risk – Possibility that inadequate or failed
systems and internal controls or procedures, human error,
fraud or external influences such as disasters, can cause
losses. It includes the risk for those processes that have
been outsourced to third parties and the risk of the
inadequate use of models.

Popular’s

risk management

Risk Management Framework
Popular’s risk management framework seeks to ensure that
there is an effective process in place to manage risk across the
framework
organization.
incorporates three interconnected dependencies: risk appetite,
stress testing, and capital planning. The stress testing process
incorporates key risks within the context of the Risk Appetite
Statement (RAS) defined in our Risk Management Policy. The
process analyzes and delineates how much risk Popular is
prepared to assume in pursuit of its business strategy and how
much capital Popular’s activities will consume in light of a
forward-looking assessment of the potential impact of adverse
economic conditions. The RAS includes risk tolerance, limits,
and types of risks the Corporation is willing to accept, as well
as processes to maintain compliance with those limits.

Principal Risk Types

• Credit Risk – Potential for default or loss resulting from
an obligor’s failure to meet the terms of any contract with
the Corporation or any of
its subsidiaries, or failure
otherwise to perform as agreed. Credit risk arises from all
activities where success depends on counterparty, issuer,
or borrower performance.

• Interest Rate Risk (“IRR”) – The risk to earnings or capital
arising from changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk
arises from differences between the timing of rate changes
and the timing of cash flows (repricing risk);
from
changing rate relationships among different yield curves
affecting bank lending and borrowing activities (basis
risk);
the
spectrum of maturities (yield curve risk); and from
interest
related options embedded in bank products
(options risk).

from changing rate

relationships

across

• Market Risk – Potential for economic loss resulting from
changes in market prices of the assets or liabilities in the
Corporation’s or in any of its subsidiaries’ portfolios.

• Liquidity Risk – Potential

for loss resulting from the
Corporation or its subsidiaries not being able to meet
their financial obligations when they come due. This
could be a result of market conditions, the ability of the
Corporation to liquidate assets or manage or diversify
various funding sources. This risk also encompasses the
possibility that an instrument cannot be closed out or sold
at its economic value, which might be a result of stress in
the market or in a specific security type given its credit,
volume and maturity.

• Compliance Risk – Potential

violations of or non-conformance with laws,
regulations, or prescribed practices.

for loss resulting from
rules,

activities,

• Regulatory and Legal Risk – Risk of negative impact to
business
regulatory
earnings
relationships or reputation as a result of failure to comply
with or a failure to adapt
to current and changing
regulations, law, rules, regulatory expectations, existing
contracts or ethical standards.

capital,

or

• Strategic Risk – Potential for loss arising from adverse
business decisions or
implementation of
business decisions. Also, it incorporates how management
analyzes
strategic
external
direction of the Corporation.

improper

impact

factors

that

the

• Reputational Risk – Potential

for

loss arising from

negative public opinion.

Risk Governance
(the “Board”) has
The Corporation’s Board of Directors
established a Risk Management Committee (“RMC”)
to
undertake the responsibilities of overseeing and approving the
Corporation’s Risk Management Program, as well as the
Corporation’s Capital Plan. The Capital Plan is a plan to
maintain sufficient regulatory capital at the Corporation, BPPR
and BPNA, which considers current and future regulatory
capital requirements, expected future profitability and credit
trends and, at least, two macroeconomic scenarios, including a
base and stress scenario.

The RMC, as an oversight body, monitors and approves
corporate policies to identify measure, monitor and control
risks while maintaining the effectiveness and efficiency of the
business and operational processes. As an approval body for the
Corporation,
the RMC reviews and approves relevant risk
management policies and critical processes. Also, it periodically
reports to the Board about its activities.

the implementation of

The Board and RMC have delegated to the Corporation’s
management
the risk management
processes. This implementation is split into two separate but
coordinated efforts that include (i) business and / or operational
units who identify, manage and control the risks resulting from
their activities, and (ii) a Risk Management Group (“RMG”). In
general, the RMG is mandated with responsibilities such as
assessing and reporting to the Corporation’s management and
RMC the risk positions of the Corporation; developing and
implementing mechanisms, policies and procedures to identify,

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

39

risks;

and monitor

and infrastructure

implementing measurement
measure
risk
mechanisms
monitoring; developing and implementing the necessary
information and reporting mechanisms; and
management
monitoring and testing the adequacy of
the Corporation’s
policies, strategies and guidelines.

to achieve

effective

efforts

throughout

three reporting divisions:

The RMG is responsible for the overall coordination of risk
the Corporation and is
management
composed of
(i) Credit Risk
Management, (ii) Compliance Management, and (iii) Financial
and Operational Risk Management. The latter includes an
Enterprise Risk Management function that facilitates, among
other aspects, the identification, coordination, and management
of multiple and cross-enterprise risks. The Corporation’s Model
Validation and Loan Review group, which reports directly to
the RMC and administratively to the Chief Risk Officer, also
provides important risk management functions by validating
critical models used in the Corporation and by assessing the
adequacy of the Corporation’s lending risk function.

Additionally, the Internal Auditing Division provides an
independent assessment of the Corporation’s internal control
structure and related systems and processes. The Internal Audit
Division also provides an assessment of the effectiveness of the
Corporation’s risk management function.

Moreover, management oversight of the Corporation’s risk-
taking and risk management activities is conducted through
management committees:

• CRESCO (Credit Strategy Committee) – Manages the
Corporation’s overall credit exposure and approves credit
policies, standards and guidelines that define, quantify,
committee,
risk. Through this
and monitor
management reviews asset quality ratios,
trends and
forecasts, problem loans, establishes the provision for loan
losses and assesses the methodology and adequacy of the
allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.

credit

• ALCO (Asset

the policies

and approves

/ Liability Management Committee) –
Oversees
and processes
designed to ensure sound market risk and balance sheet
strategies, including the interest rate, liquidity, investment
and trading policies. The ALCO monitors the capital
position and plan for the Corporation and approves all
capital management strategies, including capital market
transactions and capital distributions. The ALCO also
monitors forecasted results and their impact on capital,
liquidity, and net interest margin of the Corporation.

• ORCO (Operational Risk Committee)

– Monitors
operational risk management activities to ensure the
development and consistent application of operational
risk policies, processes and procedures that measure, limit
and manage the Corporation’s operational risks while
the
maintaining the effectiveness and efficiency of
operating and businesses’ processes.

40

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

• Compliance

Committees

regulatory
compliance activities to ensure to compliance with legal
and regulatory requirements
and the Corporation’s
policies.

– Monitors

• ERM (Enterprise Management Committee) – Monitors
Interest, Liquidity, Compliance, Regulatory,
Market,
Legal, Strategic, Operational
(including Information
Security & Cyber), and Reputational risks in the Risk
Appetite Statement (RAS) and within the Corporation’s
ERM framework.

There are other management committees such as the Fair
Lending, Section 23A & B, New Products, Fiduciary Risk, and
the BSA/Anti-Money Laundering Committees, among others,
which provide oversight of specific business risks.

In addition,

responsible for

Market / Interest Rate Risk
The financial results and capital levels of the Corporation are
constantly exposed to market, interest rate and liquidity risks.
The ALCO and the Corporate Finance Group are responsible
for planning and executing the Corporation’s market, interest
rate risk, funding activities and strategy, and for implementing
the policies and procedures approved by the RMC and the
the Financial and Operational Risk
ALCO.
Management Division is
the independent
monitoring and reporting of adherence with established policies
to the Risk Management Committee, and enhancing and
liquidity and
strengthening controls
market risk. The ALCO generally meets on a weekly basis and
reviews the Corporation’s current and forecasted asset and
liability levels as well as desired pricing strategies and other
relevant financial management and interest rate and risk topics.
Also, on a monthly basis the ALCO reviews various interest rate
ratios and portfolio information,
risk sensitivity metrics,
including but not
the Corporation’s liquidity
positions, projected sources and uses of funds, interest rate risk
positions and economic conditions.

surrounding interest,

limited to,

Market risk refers to the risk of a reduction in the
Corporation’s capital due to changes in the market valuation of
its assets and/or liabilities.

in

the

portfolio

classified

investment

Most of the assets subject to market valuation risk are
securities
as
available-for-sale. Refer to Notes 7 and 8 for further information
on the investment portfolio. Investment securities classified as
available-for-sale amounted to $10.2 billion as of December 31,
2017. Other assets subject
risk include loans
held-for-sale, which amounted to $132 million, mortgage
servicing rights (“MSRs”) which amounted to $168 million and
securities
to
$43 million, as of December 31, 2017.

“trading”, which amounted

to market

classified

as

Liabilities subject to market risk include the FDIC clawback
obligation, which amounted to $ 165 million at December 31,
2017.

Management believes that market risk is currently not a
material source of risk at the Corporation. A significant portion
of
the Corporation’s financial activities is concentrated in
Puerto Rico, which has been going through a fiscal and
economic crisis and was recently impacted by two major
hurricanes. Refer to the Geographic and Government Risk
section of this MD&A for highlights on the current status of
Puerto Rico’s fiscal and economic condition.

Interest Rate Risk (“IRR’)
The Corporation’s net interest income is subject to various
categories of interest rate risk, including repricing, basis, yield
curve and option risks.
rate risk,
management may alter the mix of floating and fixed rate assets
and liabilities, change pricing schedules, adjust maturities
through sales and purchases of investment securities, and enter
into derivative contracts, among other alternatives.

In managing interest

Interest rate risk management is an active process that
encompasses monitoring loan and deposit flows complemented
by investment and funding activities. Effective management of
interest rate risk begins with understanding the dynamic
characteristics of assets and liabilities and determining the
appropriate rate risk position given line of business forecasts,
management objectives, market
and policy
constraints.

expectations

Management utilizes various tools to assess IRR, including
simulation modeling, static gap analysis, and Economic Value
of Equity (EVE). The three methodologies complement each
other and are used jointly in the evaluation of the Corporation’s
IRR. Simulation modeling is prepared for a five-year period,
which in conjunction with the EVE analysis, provides
Management a better view of long term IRR.

Net interest income simulation analysis performed by legal
entity and on a consolidated basis is a tool used by the
Corporation in estimating the potential change in net interest
income resulting from hypothetical changes in interest rates.
Sensitivity analysis is calculated using a simulation model

which incorporates actual balance sheet figures detailed by
maturity and interest yields or costs.

Management assesses interest rate risk by comparing various
net interest income simulations under different interest rate
scenarios that differ in direction of interest rate changes, the
degree of change over time, the speed of change and the
projected shape of the yield curve. For example, the types of
rate scenarios processed during the year included economic
most likely scenarios, flat rates, yield curve twists, and parallel
rate shocks. Management also performs analyses to isolate and
measure basis and prepayment risk exposures.

The

asset

and liability management group performs
validation procedures on various assumptions used as part of
the sensitivity analysis as well as validations of results on a
monthly basis. In addition, the model and processes used to
assess IRR are subject to independent validations according to
the guidelines established in the Model Governance and
Validation policy.

The Corporation processes net interest income simulations
under interest rate scenarios in which the yield curve is
assumed to rise and decline by the same amount. The rate
scenarios considered in these market risk simulations reflect
parallel changes of -200, +200 and +400 basis points during the
succeeding twelve-month period. Simulation analyses are based
on many assumptions,
including relative levels of market
interest rates across all yield curve points and indexes, interest
rate spreads, loan prepayments and deposit elasticity. Thus,
they should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results.
Further,
that
management could take to respond to changes in interest rates.
By their nature, these forward-looking computations are only
estimates and may be different from what may actually occur in
the future. The following table presents the results of the
simulations at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016,
assuming a static balance sheet and parallel changes over flat
spot rates over a one-year time horizon:

the estimates do not contemplate actions

Table 21 - Net Interest Income Sensitivity (One Year Projection)

(Dollars in thousands)

Change in interest rate
+400 basis points
+200 basis points
-200 basis points

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Amount Change Percent Change Amount Change Percent Change

$ 409,924
205,011
(169,126)

25.57%
12.79
(10.55)

$236,945
121,181
(35,314)

16.52%
8.45
(2.46)

At December 31, 2017, the simulations showed that the
Corporation maintains an asset-sensitive position. This is
primarily due to (i) a high level of money market investments
rates,
that

are highly sensitive

to changes

in interest

(ii) approximately 36% of the Corporation’s loan portfolio
being comprised of Prime and Libor-based loans, and (iii) low
elasticity of the Corporation’s core deposit base. The increase in
sensitivity from December 31, 2016 in the +200 and +400

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

41

scenarios is mainly driven by an increase in money market
investments of $2.4 billion, from $2.9 billion at December 31,
2016 to $5.3 billion at December 31, 2017, that was due to
growth in public fund deposits. The increase in sensitivity in
the -200 scenario is also driven by the increase in money

market investments that reflect full changes in rates across all
scenarios, combined with the increases in the Federal Funds
Target Rate in March, June and December of 2017 by the
Federal Reserve, which led to an increase in the magnitude of
the -200 basis points scenario.

Table 22 - Interest Rate Sensitivity

(Dollars in thousands)

0-30 days

After three
months but
within six
months

Within 31 -
90 days

At December 31, 2017
By repricing dates
After nine
months but
within one
year

After six
months but
within nine
months

After one
year but
within two
years

After two
years

Non-interest
bearing
funds

Total

Assets:
Money market
investments

Investment and trading

securities

Loans
Other assets

Total

Liabilities and

stockholders’ equity:

Savings, NOW and

money market and
other interest bearing
demand deposits
Certificates of deposit
Federal funds purchased
and assets sold under
agreements to
repurchase
Other short-term
borrowings
Notes payable
Non-interest bearing

deposits

Other non-interest
bearing liabilities
Stockholders’ equity

$ 5,253,880 $

1,095 $

– $

144 $

– $

– $

– $

– $ 5,255,119

350,910
6,108,555
–

561,495
1,927,714
–

443,103
1,066,908
–

492,766
895,105
–

454,022
864,266
–

1,784,665
6,352,412
2,802,305 10,435,687
–

–

43,598 10,482,971
841,923 24,942,463
3,596,784

3,596,784

11,713,345

2,490,304

1,510,011

1,388,015

1,318,288

4,586,970 16,788,099

4,482,305 44,277,337

1,838,755
1,244,174

698,716
533,993

977,758
938,105

900,376
773,633

830,141
632,216

2,737,789 11,464,150
2,105,583
1,287,174

– 19,447,685
7,514,878
–

210,555

106,820

59,437

–

–

–

14,109

–
1,000

35,000
11,026

60,000
102,857

–
56,164

–
82,749

–
607,564

1,208
674,996

–

–
–

390,921

96,208
1,536,356

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

8,490,945

8,490,945

1,696,439
5,103,905

1,696,439
5,103,905

Total

$ 3,294,484 $1,385,555 $2,138,157 $1,730,173 $1,545,106 $4,632,527 $14,260,046 $ 15,291,289 $44,277,337

Interest rate sensitive gap
Cumulative interest rate

8,418,861

1,104,749

(628,146)

(342,158)

(226,818)

(45,557)

2,528,053 (10,808,984)

sensitive gap

8,418,861

9,523,610

8,895,464

8,553,306

8,326,488

8,280,931 10,808,984

Cumulative interest rate

sensitive gap to earning
assets

21.16%

23.93%

22.35%

21.49%

20.92%

20.81%

27.16%

–

–

–

–

–

The Corporation maintains an overall

interest rate risk
management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative
instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in
net interest income or market value that are caused by interest
rate volatility. The market value of these derivatives is subject
risk
to interest

rate fluctuations and counterparty credit

adjustments which could have a positive or negative effect in
the Corporation’s earnings.

The Corporation’s loan and investment portfolios are subject
to prepayment risk, which results from the ability of a third-
party to repay debt obligations prior to maturity. Prepayment
risk also could have a significant impact on the duration of

42

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

securities
since prepayments

collateralized mortgage
mortgage-backed
lower
obligations,
prepayments could extend) the weighted average life of these
portfolios.

could shorten (or

and

Table 23, which presents the maturity distribution of
prepayment

consideration

assets,

takes

into

earning
assumptions.

Table 23 - Maturity Distribution of Earning Assets

As of December 31, 2017
Maturities

After one year
through five years
Fixed
interest
rates

Variable
interest
rates

After five years

Fixed
interest
rates

Variable
interest
rates

Total

One year
or less

$ 5,255,119
2,231,726

–
$ 5,764,403

$

–
35,044

–
$2,250,573

$

–
32,185

$ 5,255,119
10,313,931

3,268,192
673,750
327,166
1,142,910
1,322,623

6,734,641
792,433

1,977,853
35,920
482,824
1,502,551
2,128,257

6,127,405
243,502

2,029,730
165,292
–
314,923
61,173

2,571,118
244,595

1,350,617
3,579
–
195,928
3,630,558

5,180,682
262,437

1,864,269
1,318
–
735,114
21,776

2,622,477
163,173

10,490,661
879,859
809,990
3,891,426
7,164,387

23,236,323
1,706,140

$15,013,919

$12,135,310

$2,850,757

$7,693,692

$2,817,835

$40,511,513

(In thousands)

Money market securities
Investment and trading securities
Loans:

Commercial
Construction
Lease financing
Consumer
Mortgage

Subtotal loans
Westernbank loans

Total earning assets

Note: Equity securities available-for-sale and other investment securities, including Federal Reserve Bank stock and Federal Home Loan Bank stock held by the

Corporation, are not included in this table.
Loans held-for-sale have been allocated according to the expected sale date.

loans

Covered loans
The
acquired in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted
transaction were initially recorded at estimated fair values. As
expressed in the Critical Accounting Policies / Estimates section
of this MD&A, most of the covered loans have an accretable
yield. The accretable yield includes the future interest expected
to be collected over the remaining life of the acquired loans and
the purchase premium or discount. The remaining life includes
the effects of estimated prepayments and expected credit losses.
For covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30,
the Corporation is required to periodically evaluate its estimate
of cash flows expected to be collected. These evaluations,
performed quarterly,
require the continued usage of key
assumptions and estimates. Management must apply judgment
to develop its estimates of cash flows for those covered loans
given the impact of home price and property value changes,
changes in interest rates and loss severities and prepayment
speeds. Decreases in the expected cash flows by pool will
generally result in a charge to the provision for credit losses
resulting in an increase to the allowance for loan losses, while
increases in the expected cash flows of a pool will generally
result in an increase in interest income over the remaining life
of the loan, or pool of loans.

Trading
The Corporation engages in trading activities in the ordinary
course of business at its subsidiaries, Banco Popular de Puerto
trading
Rico and Popular Securities. Popular Securities’
activities consist primarily of market-making activities to meet
expected customers’ needs related to its retail brokerage
business and purchases and sales of U.S. Government and
government sponsored securities with the objective of realizing
gains from expected short-term price movements. BPPR’s
trading activities consist primarily of holding U.S. Government
sponsored mortgage-backed securities classified as “trading”
“TBA”
related market
and
(to-be-announced) market
transactions. The objective is to
derive spread income from the portfolio and not to benefit from
short-term market movements. In addition, BPPR uses forward
contracts or TBAs to hedge its securitization pipeline. Risks
related to variations in interest rates and market volatility are
hedged with TBAs that have characteristics similar to that of the
forecasted security and its conversion timeline.

risk with

hedging

the

At December 31, 2017,

the Corporation held trading
representing
securities with a fair value of $43 million,
approximately 0.1% of the Corporation’s total assets, compared
with $60 million and 0.2%, respectively, at December 31, 2016.
As shown in Table 24 the trading portfolio consists principally
of mortgage-backed securities relating to BPPR’s mortgage

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

43

activities described above, which at December 31, 2017 were
investment grade securities. As of December 31, 2017, the
trading portfolio also included $1.3 million in Puerto Rico
government obligations and shares of closed-end funds that
invest primarily in Puerto Rico government obligations
($2.6 million as of December 31, 2016). Trading instruments
fair value, with changes resulting from
are recognized at

Table 24 - Trading Portfolio

fluctuations in market prices, interest rates or exchange rates
reported in current period earnings. The Corporation
recognized a net trading account loss of $0.8 million for the
years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016,
respectively. Table 24 provides the composition of the trading
portfolio at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

(Dollars in thousands)

Mortgage-backed securities
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Puerto Rico government obligations
Interest-only strips
Other (includes related trading derivatives)

Total

[1] Not on a taxable equivalent basis.

The Corporation’s trading activities are limited by internal
policies. For each of the two subsidiaries, the market risk
assumed under trading activities is measured by the 5-day net
value-at-risk (“VAR”), with a confidence level of 99%. The VAR
measures the maximum estimated loss that may occur over a
5-day holding period, given a 99% probability.

are numerous

The Corporation’s trading portfolio had a 5-day VAR of
approximately $0.2 million for the last week in December 31,
2017. There
and estimates
associated with VAR modeling, and actual results could differ
from these assumptions and estimates. Backtesting is performed
to compare actual results against maximum estimated losses, in
order to evaluate model and assumptions accuracy.

assumptions

In the opinion of management, the size and composition of
the trading portfolio does not represent a significant source of
market risk for the Corporation.

Derivatives
Derivatives may be used by the Corporation as part of its
interest rate risk management strategy to minimize
overall
significant unexpected fluctuations in earnings and cash flows
that are caused by fluctuations in interest rates. Derivative
instruments that the Corporation may use include, among
others, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, indexed options, and
forward contracts. The Corporation does not use highly
leveraged derivative instruments
rate risk
management strategy. The Corporation enters into interest rate
swaps, interest rate caps and foreign exchange contracts for the
benefit of commercial customers. Credit risk embedded in these
transactions is reduced by requiring appropriate collateral from
counterparties and entering into netting agreements whenever
possible. All outstanding derivatives are recognized in the
Corporation’s consolidated statement of condition at their fair

interest

in its

44

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

December 31, 2017
Weighted

Average Yield [1] Amount

December 31, 2016
Weighted
Average Yield [1]

Amount

$29,280
529
159
529
12,690

$43,187

5.40%
5.74
0.28
12.58
3.25

4.84%

$42,746
1,321
1,164
602
13,972

$59,805

4.85%
5.27
5.51
12.35
3.03

4.52%

value. Refer to Note 29 to the consolidated financial statements
for further information on the Corporation’s involvement in
derivative instruments and hedging activities.

The Corporation’s derivative activities are entered primarily
to offset the impact of market volatility on the economic value
of assets or liabilities. The net effect on the market value of
potential changes in interest rates of derivatives and other
financial instruments is analyzed. The effectiveness of these
hedges is monitored to ascertain that
the Corporation is
reducing market risk as expected. Derivative transactions are
generally executed with instruments with a high correlation to
liability. The underlying index or
the hedged asset or
instrument of
the derivatives used by the Corporation is
selected based on its similarity to the asset or liability being
hedged. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, fixed and
variable interest rate hedged assets and liabilities will appreciate
or depreciate in fair value. The effect of
this unrealized
appreciation or depreciation is expected to be substantially
offset by the Corporation’s gains or losses on the derivative
that are linked to these hedged assets and
instruments
liabilities. Management will assess if circumstances warrant
liquidating or
replacing the derivatives position in the
hypothetical event that high correlation is reduced. Based on
at
the Corporation’s derivative
December 31, 2017, it is not anticipated that such a scenario
would have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial
condition or results of operations.

instruments outstanding

Certain derivative contracts also present credit risk and
liquidity risk because the counterparties may not comply with
the terms of the contract, or the collateral obtained might be
illiquid or become so. The Corporation controls credit risk
limits and monitoring procedures, and
through approvals,
through master netting and collateral agreements whenever

of

the

fair

value

guidance,

possible. Further, as applicable under the terms of the master
the Corporation may obtain collateral, where
agreements,
appropriate, to reduce credit risk. The credit risk attributed to
the counterparty’s nonperformance risk is incorporated in the
fair value of the derivatives. Additionally, as required by the fair
value measurements
the
Corporation’s own credit standing is considered in the fair
value of
the derivative liabilities. During the year ended
December 31, 2017, inclusion of the credit risk in the fair value
of the derivatives resulted in a net gain of $0.1 million (2016 –
net loss of $0.5 million; 2015 – net loss of $0.5 million), which
consisted of a gain of $0.2 million (2016 – loss of $ 0.9 million;
2015 – loss of $ 0.8 million) resulting from the Corporation’s
credit standing adjustment and a loss of $0.1 million (2016 –
gain of $ 0.4 million; 2015 – gain of $0.3 million) from the
assessment of the counterparties’ credit risk. At December 31,
2017, the Corporation had $94 thousand (2016 – $ 4 million)
recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral posted. On
the other hand, the Corporation did not have any obligation to
return cash collateral received at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
The Corporation performs appropriate due diligence and
monitors
that
condition of
represent a significant volume of credit exposure. Additionally,
the Corporation has exposure limits to prevent any undue
funding exposure.

counterparties

financial

the

Cash Flow Hedges
The Corporation manages the variability of cash payments due
to interest rate fluctuations by the effective use of derivatives
designated as cash flow hedges and that are linked to specified
hedged assets and liabilities. The cash flow hedges relate to
forward contracts or TBA mortgage-backed securities that are
sold and bought for future settlement to hedge mortgage-
backed securities and loans prior to securitization. The seller
agrees to deliver on a specified future date a specified
instrument at a specified price or yield. These securities are
hedging a forecasted transaction and are designated for cash
flow hedge accounting. The notional amount of derivatives
designated as cash flow hedges at December 31, 2017 amounted
to $ 99 million (2016—$ 105 million).

Refer to Note 29 to the consolidated financial statements for
information on these derivative

quantitative

additional
contracts.

Fair Value Hedges
The Corporation did not have any derivatives designated as fair
value hedges during the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016.

Trading and Non-Hedging Derivative Activities
The Corporation enters into derivative positions based on
from price differentials
market expectations or to benefit
to
between financial

and markets mostly

instruments

economically hedge a related asset or liability. The Corporation
also enters into various derivatives to provide these types of
derivative
free-standing
derivatives are carried at fair value with changes in fair value
recorded as part of the results of operations for the period.

customers. These

products

to

Following is a description of the most significant of the
Corporation’s derivative activities that are not designated for
hedge accounting. Refer
to Note 29 to the consolidated
financial statements for additional quantitative and qualitative
information on these derivative instruments.

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation had outstanding $
2 million (2016 - $ 113 million) in notional amount of interest
rate swap agreements, which were not designated as accounting
hedges. These swaps were entered in the Corporation’s capacity
its customers and their
as an intermediary on behalf of
offsetting swap position. For the year ended December 31,
2017, the impact of the mark-to-market of interest rate swaps
not designated as accounting hedges was a net increase in
earnings of approximately $ 0.1 million, recorded in the other
operating income category of the consolidated statement of
operations,
of
earnings
compared with
approximately $ 0.3 million, in 2016 and 2015.

increase

an

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation had $71 million
(2016 - $0.7 million) in notional amount of forward contracts
outstanding not designated as accounting hedges with a
positive fair value of $ 161 thousand (2016 - $9 thousand). For
the
the year ended December 31, 2017,
mark-to-market of the forward contracts not designated as
accounting hedges was a reduction to non-interest income of $
1.5 million (2016 - loss of $ 0.2 million; 2015 - loss of $ 0.4
million), which was included in the category of mortgage
banking activities in the consolidated statement of operations.

the impact of

to its

linked to these indexes

Furthermore, the Corporation has over-the-counter option
contracts which are utilized in order to limit the Corporation’s
exposure on customer deposits whose returns are tied to the
S&P 500 or to certain other equity securities or commodity
indexes. The Corporation offers certificates of deposit with
returns
retail customers,
principally in connection with individual retirement accounts
(IRAs), and certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2017, these
deposits amounted to $ 66 million (2016 - $ 70 million), or less
than 1% (2016 – less than 1%) of the Corporation’s total
deposits.
is
guaranteed by the Corporation and insured by the FDIC to the
maximum extent permitted by law. The instruments pay a
return based on the increase of these indexes, as applicable,
during the term of the instrument. Accordingly, this product
gives customers the opportunity to invest in a product that
protects the principal invested but allows the customer the
potential to earn a return based on the performance of the
indexes.

the customer’s principal

In these certificates,

The risk of issuing certificates of deposit with returns tied to
economically hedged by the

applicable

indexes

is

the

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

45

Corporation. BPPR and BPNA purchase indexed options from
financial institutions with strong credit standings, whose return
is designed to match the return payable on the certificates of
deposit issued by these banking subsidiaries. By hedging the
risk in this manner, the effective cost of these deposits is fixed.
The contracts have a maturity and an index equal to the terms
they are economically
of
hedging.

the pool of retail deposits that

The purchased option contracts are initially accounted for at
cost (i.e., amount of premium paid) and recorded as a
derivative asset. The derivative asset is marked-to-market on a
quarterly basis with changes in fair value charged to earnings.
The deposits are hybrid instruments containing embedded
options that must be bifurcated in accordance with the
derivatives and hedging activities guidance. The initial value of
the embedded option (component of the deposit contract that
pays a return based on changes in the applicable indexes) is
bifurcated from the related certificate of deposit and is initially
recorded as a derivative liability and a corresponding discount
on the certificate of deposit is recorded. Subsequently, the
discount on the deposit is accreted and included as part of
interest
is
marked-to-market with changes in fair value charged to
earnings.

bifurcated

expense

option

while

the

The purchased indexed options are used to economically
hedge the bifurcated embedded option. These option contracts
do not qualify for hedge accounting, and therefore, cannot be
designated as accounting hedges. At December 31, 2017, the
notional
indexed options on deposits
approximated $ 70 million (2016 - $ 73 million) with a fair
value of $ 16 million (asset) (2016 - $ 13 million) while the
embedded options had a notional value of $ 66 million (2016 -
$ 70 million) with a fair value of $ 14 million (liability) (2016 -
$ 11 million).

amount of

the

Refer to Note 29 to the consolidated financial statements for
a description of other non-hedging derivative activities utilized
by the Corporation during 2017 and 2016.

Foreign Exchange
in BHD León in the
The Corporation holds an interest
Dominican Republic, which is an investment accounted for
under the equity method. The Corporation’s carrying value of
the equity interest in BHD León approximated $135 million at
December 31, 2017. This business is conducted in the country’s
foreign currency. The resulting foreign currency translation
adjustment, from operations for which the functional currency
is other than the U.S. dollar, is reported in accumulated other
comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of condition,
except for highly-inflationary environments in which the effects
would be included in the consolidated statements of operations.
At December 31, 2017, the Corporation had approximately
$43 million in an unfavorable foreign currency translation
adjustment as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss,

46

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

compared with an unfavorable adjustment of $40 million at
December 31, 2016 and $36 million at December 31, 2015.

Liquidity
The objective of effective liquidity management is to ensure
that the Corporation has sufficient liquidity to meet all of its
finance expected future growth and
financial obligations,
maintain a reasonable safety margin for cash commitments
under both normal and stressed market conditions. The Board
is responsible for establishing the Corporation’s tolerance for
including approving relevant risk limits and
liquidity risk,
policies. The Board has delegated the monitoring of these risks
to the RMC and the ALCO. The management of liquidity risk,
on a long-term and day-to-day basis, is the responsibility of the
Corporate Treasury Division. The Corporation’s Corporate
Treasurer is responsible for implementing the policies and
procedures approved by the Board and for monitoring the
Corporation’s liquidity position on an ongoing basis. Also, the
corporate wide
Corporate Treasury Division coordinates
liquidity management
and activities with the
reportable segments, oversees policy breaches and manages the
and Operational Risk
escalation process. The Financial
the independent
Management Division is
monitoring and reporting of adherence with established
policies.

responsible for

strategies

An institution’s liquidity may be pressured if, for example,
its credit rating is downgraded, it experiences a sudden and
unexpected substantial cash outflow, or some other event
causes counterparties to avoid exposure to the institution.
Factors that the Corporation does not control, such as the
economic outlook, adverse ratings of its principal markets and
its ability to obtain
regulatory changes, could also affect
funding.

Liquidity is managed by the Corporation at the level of the
holding companies that own the banking and non-banking
subsidiaries. It is also managed at the level of the banking and
non-banking subsidiaries. The Corporation has adopted policies
and limits to monitor more effectively the Corporation’s
liquidity position and that of
the banking subsidiaries.
Additionally, contingency funding plans are used to model
various stress events of different magnitudes and affecting
different time horizons that assist management in evaluating
the size of the liquidity buffers needed if those stress events
occur. However, such models may not predict accurately how
the market and customers might react to every event, and are
dependent on many assumptions.

On January 23, 2017, the Corporation’s Board of Directors
approved an increase in the Company’s quarterly common
stock dividend from $0.15 per share to $0.25 per share. During
the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation declared
dividends on its common stock of $ 102.1 million and
completed a $75 million privately negotiated accelerated share

repurchase transaction. Refer to additional information on Note
23 – Stockholder’s equity.

Deposits,

borrowing

arrangements.

funds for the Corporation,

including customer deposits, brokered deposits
and public funds deposits, continue to be the most significant
source of
funding 80% of the
Corporation’s total assets at December 31, 2017 and 79% at
December 31, 2016. The ratio of total ending loans to deposits
was 70% at December 31, 2017, compared to 77% at
December 31, 2016. In addition to traditional deposits, the
Corporation maintains
At
December 31, 2017, these borrowings consisted primarily of $
391 million in assets sold under agreement to repurchase,
$726 million in advances with the FHLB, $439 million in junior
subordinated deferrable interest debentures
(net of debt
related to trust preferred securities and
issuance
$446 million in term notes (net of debt issuance cost) issued to
partially fund the repayment of TARP funds. A detailed
description of the Corporation’s borrowings, including their
terms, is included in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements. Also, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in
the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements provide
information on the Corporation’s cash inflows and outflows.

cost)

Given the widespread level of disruption to basic
infrastructure and commercial activity in the regions impacted
by the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria, BPPR decided to
adopt certain measures to assist its customers in affected areas.
These measures include the waiver of certain fees and charges,
such as late payment charges and ATM transaction fees, and a
temporary payment moratorium to eligible borrowers across
most loan portfolios during which BPPR will continue to accrue
interest on the loans.

These measures, while important to assist in the recovery of
our customers post-hurricane, will negatively impact our
results of operations and liquidity. For example, the waiver of
fees and other charges negatively impacted the Corporation’s
revenues for the third quarter and fourth quarters of 2017. The
moratorium impacts our liquidity not only due to principal and
interest payments that BPPR did not receive during the period,
but also as a result of loans serviced by the Corporation where
we are required to advance to the owners the payment of
principal and interest on a scheduled basis even when such
payment is not collected from the borrower.

Management believes that

the liquidity impact of these
measures is not significant in light of BPPR’s existing liquidity
resources and that BPPR has sufficient
liquidity to meet
anticipated cash flow obligations. Deposits at BPPR as of
December 31, 2017 were higher by approximately $2.0 billion
than as of the end of the second quarter of 2017. Management
will continue to monitor the effect of the moratorium as the
period comes to an end and the loan repayment schedule is
resumed.

The following sections provide further information on the
Corporation’s major funding activities and needs, as well as the

and available

risks involved in these activities. A detailed description of the
credit,
Corporation’s borrowings
including its terms, is included in Note 20 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements. Also,
the Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows in the accompanying Consolidated Financial
Statements provide information on the Corporation’s cash
inflows and outflows.

lines of

Banking Subsidiaries
Primary sources of
funding for the Corporation’s banking
subsidiaries (BPPR and BPNA), or “the banking subsidiaries,”
include retail and commercial deposits, brokered deposits,
unpledged investment securities, mortgage loan securitization,
and, to a lesser extent, loan sales. In addition, the Corporation
the
maintains borrowing facilities with the FHLB and at
discount window of the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”), and
has a considerable amount of collateral pledged that can be
used to quickly raise funds under these facilities.

and

repayment

repurchases,

The principal uses of funds for the banking subsidiaries
include loan originations, investment portfolio purchases, loan
purchases
outstanding
obligations (including deposits), and operational expenses.
Also, the banking subsidiaries assume liquidity risk related to
collateral posting requirements for certain activities mainly in
connection with contractual commitments, recourse provisions,
servicing advances, derivatives, credit card licensing agreements
and support to several mutual funds administered by BPPR.

of

During the year ended December 31, 2017, BPPR declared
cash dividends of $192 million, a portion of which was used by
Popular, Inc. for the payments of the cash dividends on its
outstanding common stock and to complete the repurchase of
$75 million in treasury stock as part of the privately negotiated
accelerated share repurchase transaction completed during the
first quarter of 2017, as mentioned above.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, BPNA declared a
dividend of $10.4 million to Popular North America, its holding
company, who in turn declared a $10.4 million dividend to
Popular, Inc.

Note 44 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a
consolidating statement of cash flows which includes the
Corporation’s banking subsidiaries as part of the “All other
subsidiaries and eliminations” column.

The banking subsidiaries maintain sufficient

funding
capacity to address large increases in funding requirements
such as deposit outflows. This capacity is comprised mainly of
available liquidity derived from secured funding sources, as
well as on-balance sheet liquidity in the form of cash balances
maintained at the Fed and unused secured lines held at the FRB
and FHLB,
in addition to liquid unpledged securities. The
Corporation has established liquidity guidelines that require the
banking subsidiaries to have sufficient liquidity to cover all
short-term borrowings and a portion of deposits.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

47

recognized credit

The Corporation’s ability to compete successfully in the
marketplace for deposits, excluding brokered deposits, depends
on various factors, including pricing, service, convenience and
financial stability as reflected by operating results, credit ratings
(by nationally
and
importantly, FDIC deposit insurance. Although a downgrade in
the credit ratings of the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries may
impact their ability to raise retail and commercial deposits or
the rate that it is required to pay on such deposits, management
does not believe that the impact should be material. Deposits at
the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries are federally
all of
insured (subject to FDIC limits) and this is expected to mitigate
the potential effect of a downgrade in the credit ratings.

agencies),

rating

Deposits are a key source of funding as they tend to be less
volatile than institutional borrowings and their cost is less
sensitive to changes in market rates. Refer to Table 15 for a
breakdown of deposits by major types. Core deposits are

brokered

excluding

$100,000,

generated from a large base of consumer, corporate and
institutional customers. Core deposits include all non-interest
bearing deposits, savings deposits and certificates of deposit
under
deposits with
denominations under $100,000. Core deposits have historically
provided the Corporation with a sizable source of relatively
stable and low-cost funds. Core deposits totaled $ 30.9 billion,
or 87% of total deposits, at December 31, 2017, compared with
$25.8 billion, or 84% of total deposits, at December 31, 2016.
Core deposits financed 76% of the Corporation’s earning assets
at December 31, 2017, compared with 76% at December 31,
2016.

Certificates of deposit with denominations of $100,000 and
over at December 31, 2017 totaled $ 4.1 billion, or 11% of total
deposits (December 31, 2016 - $4.1 billion, or 14% of total
deposits). Their distribution by maturity at December 31, 2017
is presented in the table that follows:

Table 25 - Distribution by Maturity of Certificate of Deposits of $100,000 and Over

(In thousands)

3 months or less
3 to 6 months
6 to 12 months
Over 12 months

Total

$1,270,163
442,833
799,514
1,555,793

$4,068,303

Average deposits, including brokered deposits, for the year ended December 31, 2017 represented 88% of average earning
assets, compared with 86% and 85% for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Table 26 summarizes average
deposits for the past five years.

Table 26 - Average Total Deposits

(In thousands)

2017

For the years ended December 31,
2014
2015
2016

2013

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

$ 7,338,455

$ 6,607,639

$ 6,146,504

$ 5,533,649

$ 5,728,228

Savings accounts

8,268,969

7,528,057

7,027,238

6,733,195

6,792,137

NOW, money market and other interest bearing demand accounts

9,958,772

7,024,810

5,446,933

4,824,402

5,738,189

Certificates of deposit:
Under $100,000
$100,000 and over

Certificates of deposit

Other time deposits

Total interest bearing deposits

Total average deposits

31,

2017

approximately

At December

the
Corporation’s assets were financed by brokered deposits
(December 31, 2016 – 2%). The Corporation had $ 0.5 billion
in brokered deposits at December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016
– $0.6 billion). In the event that any of the Corporation’s

1% of

48

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

2,455,073
4,127,668

6,582,741
1,033,585

2,525,448
4,240,008

6,765,456
1,140,048

3,537,307
3,755,412

7,292,719
865,189

3,708,622
3,107,735

6,816,357
739,752

4,817,831
2,995,175

7,813,006
700,815

25,844,067

22,458,371

20,632,079

19,113,706

21,044,147

$33,182,522

$29,066,010

$26,778,583

$24,647,355

$26,772,375

banking subsidiaries’ regulatory capital ratios fall below those
required by a well-capitalized institution or are subject to
capital restrictions by the regulators, that banking subsidiary
faces the risk of not being able to raise or maintain brokered
deposits and faces limitations on the rate paid on deposits,

which may hinder the Corporation’s ability to effectively
compete in its retail markets and could affect its deposit raising
efforts.

liquidity

through core

To the extent that the banking subsidiaries are unable to
obtain sufficient
the
Corporation may meet its liquidity needs through short-term
for borrowings under
borrowings by pledging securities
repurchase agreements, by pledging additional
loans and
securities through the available secured lending facilities, or by
selling liquid assets. These measures are subject to availability
of collateral.

deposits,

The Corporation’s banking subsidiaries have the ability to
borrow funds from the FHLB. At December 31, 2017 and
December 31, 2016,
the banking subsidiaries had credit
facilities authorized with the FHLB aggregating to $3.9 billion,
based on assets pledged with the FHLB at
those dates.
Outstanding borrowings under these credit facilities totaled
$726 million at December 31, 2017 and $673 million at
December 31, 2016. Such advances are collateralized by loans
held-in-portfolio, do not have restrictive covenants and do not
have any callable features. At December 31, 2017 the credit
facilities authorized with the FHLB were collateralized by
$4.9 billion in loans held-in-portfolio (December 31, 2016 -
$4.9 billion). Refer to Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for additional information on the terms of FHLB
advances outstanding.

At December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016,

the
Corporation’s borrowing capacity at
the Fed’s Discount
Window amounted to approximately $1.1 billion and
$1.2 billion, respectively, which remained unused as of both
dates. The amount available under this borrowing facility is
dependent upon the balance of performing loans, securities
pledged as collateral and the haircuts assigned to such
collateral. At December 31, 2017, this credit facility with the
Fed was collateralized by $2.0 billion of loans held-in-portfolio
(December 31, 2016 - $2.3 billion).

the
At December 31, 2017, management believes that
banking subsidiaries had sufficient current and projected
liquidity sources to meet their anticipated cash flow obligations,
as well as special needs and off-balance sheet commitments, in
the ordinary course of business and have sufficient liquidity
resources to address a stress event. Although the banking
subsidiaries have historically been able to replace maturing
deposits and advances, no assurance can be given that they
would be able to replace those funds in the future if the
Corporation’s financial condition or general market conditions
were to deteriorate. The Corporation’s financial flexibility will
be severely constrained if its banking subsidiaries are unable to
maintain access to funding or if adequate financing is not
available to accommodate future financing needs at acceptable
interest rates. The banking subsidiaries also are required to
to meet margin
cash or qualifying
deposit
the value of securities
requirements. To the extent

securities
that

previously pledged as collateral declines because of market
changes, the Corporation will be required to deposit additional
cash or securities to meet its margin requirements, thereby
adversely affecting its liquidity. Finally,
is
required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding
sources to meet its future growth, revenues may not increase
proportionately to cover costs. In this case, profitability would
be adversely affected.

if management

sources of

funding for

Bank Holding Companies
the bank holding
The principal
companies (the “BHC’s”), which are Popular, Inc. (holding
company only) (“PIHC”) and Popular North America, Inc.
(“PNA”),
securities,
dividends received from banking and non-banking subsidiaries
(subject to regulatory limits and authorizations) asset sales,
credit facilities available from affiliate banking subsidiaries and
proceeds from potential securities offerings.

cash on hand,

investment

include

The principal use of these funds include the repayment of
debt, and interest payments to holders of senior debt and junior
subordinated deferrable interest (related to trust preferred
securities) and capitalizing its banking subsidiaries.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, PIHC received
$192 million in dividends from BPPR, $12 million in dividends
from PIBI, $10.4 million in dividends
from PNA and
$3.5 million in dividends from EVERTEC’s parent company.
PIHC also received $0.5 million in distributions from its
investment in PRB Investors LP, an equity method investment,
and $19.5 million in dividends
from its non-banking
subsidiaries. In addition, during the year ended December 31,
2017 Popular International Bank received $11.8 million in
dividends from its investment in BHD Leon. During the year
ended December 31, 2017, PNA received $10.4 million in
dividends from BPNA.

Another use of liquidity at the parent holding company is
the payment of dividends on its outstanding stock. During the
year ended December 31, 2017,
the Corporation declared
quarterly dividends on its outstanding common stock of $0.25
per share, for a total of $ 102.1 million and completed a
$75 million privately negotiated accelerated share repurchase
transaction. Refer to additional
information on Note 23 –
Stockholder’s equity. The dividends for the Corporation’s Series
A and Series B preferred stock amounted to $3.7 million for the
year ended December 31, 2017.

The BHC’s have in the past borrowed in the money markets
and in the corporate debt market primarily to finance their
non-banking subsidiaries, however,
the
Corporation’s non-banking subsidiaries other than to repay
indebtedness and interest are now minimal. These sources of
funding have become more costly due to the reductions in the
Corporation’s credit ratings. The Corporation’s principal credit
the
ratings are below “investment grade” which affects
Corporation’s ability to raise funds in the capital markets. The

the cash needs of

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

49

Corporation has an automatic shelf registration statement filed
and effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
which permits the Corporation to issue an unspecified amount
of debt or equity securities.

Note 44 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a
statement of condition, of operations and of cash flows for the
two BHC’s. The loans held-in-portfolio in such financial
statements
associated with intercompany
transactions.

is principally

The outstanding balance of notes payable at the BHC’s
amounted to $886 million at December 31, 2017, compared
with $884 million at December 31, 2016. The repayment of the
BHC’s obligations represents a potential cash need which is
expected to be met with a combination of internal liquidity
resources stemming mainly from future dividend receipts and
new borrowings.

The contractual maturities of the BHC’s notes payable at

December 31, 2017 are presented in Table 27.

Table 27 - Distribution of BHC’s Notes Payable by
Contractual Maturity

Year

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Later years

Total

(In thousands)

$

–
446,873
–
–
–
439,351

$886,224

As indicated previously,

issue new
registered debt in the capital markets during the year ended
December 31, 2017.

the BHC did not

The BHCs liquidity position continues to be adequate with
investments and other sources of
sufficient cash on hand,
liquidity which are expected to be enough to meet all BHCs
obligations during the foreseeable future.

sources of

funding for

Non-banking subsidiaries
The principal
the non-banking
subsidiaries include internally generated cash flows from
operations, loan sales, repurchase agreements, capital injection
and borrowed funds from their direct parent companies or the
holding companies. The principal uses of
the
non-banking subsidiaries include repayment of maturing debt,
operational expenses and payment of dividends to the BHCs.
The liquidity needs of the non-banking subsidiaries are minimal
since most of them are funded internally from operating cash
flows or from intercompany borrowings from their holding
companies, BPPR or BPNA.

funds for

50

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

investment

Other Funding Sources and Capital
The investment securities portfolio provides an additional
source of
liquidity, which may be realized through either
securities sales or repurchase agreements. The Corporation’s
investment securities portfolio consists primarily of liquid U.S.
government
sponsored U.S. agency
securities,
securities, government sponsored mortgage-backed securities,
and collateralized mortgage obligations that can be used to raise
funds in the repo markets. The availability of the repurchase
agreement would be subject to having sufficient unpledged
the time the transactions are to be
collateral available at
consummated, in addition to overall liquidity and risk appetite
of the various counterparties. The Corporation’s unpledged
investment and trading securities, excluding other investment
securities, amounted to $3.2 billion at December 31, 2017 and
$3.7 billion at December 31, 2016. A substantial portion of
these securities could be used to raise financing quickly in the
U.S. money markets or from secured lending sources.

Additional

liquidity may be provided through loan
maturities, prepayments and sales. The loan portfolio can also
be used to obtain funding in the capital markets. In particular,
mortgage loans and some types of consumer loans, have
secondary markets which the Corporation could use.

leverage

Risks to Liquidity
Total lines of credit outstanding are not necessarily a measure
of the total credit available on a continuing basis. Some of these
lines could be subject to collateral requirements, standards of
creditworthiness,
regulatory
requirements, among other factors. Derivatives, such as those
embedded in long-term repurchase transactions or interest rate
swaps, and off-balance sheet exposures, such as recourse,
performance bonds or credit card arrangements, are subject to
collateral
the
collateral requirements may increase,
thereby reducing the
balance of unpledged securities.

requirements. As their fair value increases,

ratios

other

and

for

The importance of

the Puerto Rico market

the
Corporation is an additional risk factor that could affect its
financing activities. In the case of a deterioration in economic
and fiscal conditions in Puerto Rico, the credit quality of the
Corporation could be affected and result in higher credit costs.
The Puerto Rico economy continues to face various challenges,
including significant pressures in some sectors of the residential
two major
real estate market and the recent
hurricanes. Refer to the Geographic and Government Risk
section of this MD&A for some highlights on the current status
of the Puerto Rico economy and the ongoing fiscal crisis.

impact of

Factors that the Corporation does not control, such as the
economic outlook and credit ratings of its principal markets
and regulatory changes, could also affect its ability to obtain
funding. In order to prepare for the possibility of such scenario,
raising
management has
financing under stress scenarios when important sources of

adopted contingency plans

for

that

fully

available

are usually

temporarily
are
funds
for using alternate funding
unavailable. These plans call
mechanisms, such as the pledging of certain asset classes and
accessing secured credit lines and loan facilities put in place
with the FHLB and the FRB.

The credit ratings of Popular’s debt obligations are a relevant
factor for liquidity because they impact the Corporation’s ability
to borrow in the capital markets, its cost and access to funding
sources. Credit ratings are based on the financial strength,
credit quality and concentrations in the loan portfolio, the level
and volatility of earnings, capital adequacy, the quality of
management, geographic concentration in Puerto Rico, the
liquidity of the balance sheet, the availability of a significant
base of
and the
Corporation’s ability to access a broad array of wholesale
funding sources, among other factors.

and commercial deposits,

retail

core

The Corporation’s banking subsidiaries have historically not
used unsecured capital market borrowings to finance its
operations, and therefore are less sensitive to the level and
changes in the Corporation’s overall credit ratings. At the
BHCs, the volume of capital market borrowings has declined
substantially, as the non-banking lending businesses that it had
historically funded have been shut down and the need to raise
unsecured senior debt has been substantially reduced.

Obligations Subject to Rating Triggers or Collateral
Requirements
The Corporation’s banking subsidiaries currently do not use
borrowings that are rated by the major rating agencies, as these
banking subsidiaries are funded primarily with deposits and
secured borrowings. The banking subsidiaries had $12 million
in deposits at December 31, 2017 that are subject to rating
triggers.

Some of the Corporation’s derivative instruments include
financial covenants tied to the bank’s well-capitalized status and
certain formal regulatory actions. These agreements could
require exposure collateralization, early termination or both.
The fair value of derivative instruments in a liability position
subject to financial covenants approximated $10 thousand at
December 31, 2017, with the Corporation providing collateral
totaling $94 thousand to cover the net liability position with
counterparties on these derivative instruments.

In addition, certain mortgage servicing and custodial
agreements that BPPR has with third parties include rating
covenants. In the event of a credit rating downgrade, the third
parties have the right to require the institution to engage a
substitute cash custodian for escrow deposits and/or increase
levels securing the recourse obligations. Also, as
collateral
discussed in Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements,
the Corporation services residential mortgage loans subject to
credit recourse provisions. Certain contractual agreements
to secure such
require the Corporation to post collateral
recourse obligations if the institution’s required credit ratings

recourse obligations

are not maintained. Collateral pledged by the Corporation to
amounted to approximately
secure
$48 million at December 31, 2017. The Corporation could be
required to post additional collateral under the agreements.
Management expects that it would be able to meet additional
collateral requirements if and when needed. The requirements
to post collateral under certain agreements or the loss of escrow
deposits could reduce the Corporation’s liquidity resources and
impact its operating results.

credit

risk requires

effective management of

Credit Risk
The
the
establishment of an appropriate credit risk culture. Credit risk
policies and the Corporation’s risk appetite are important
components to establish this culture. The Corporation has
clearly defined credit policies for the approval and management
of credit risk. Credit underwriting standards apply to all
lending activities. These set the minimum requirements in
assessing the ability of debtors and/or counterparties to meet
their contracted financial obligations for repayment, acceptable
forms of collateral and security and the frequency of credit
reviews.

The policies and standards are designed to achieve loan
portfolio outcomes that are consistent with Corporation’s risk
appetite. The Board of Directors, both directly or through the
Risk Management Committee,
the
Corporation’s risk appetite statement and the Corporation’s
credit risk tolerance limits. The CRESCO monitors credit risk
management activities both at the corporate level and across all
Popular
the
to
including
Corporation’s risk appetite and credit risk tolerance limits.

reviews and approves

subsidiaries,

adherence

the

The Corporation’s credit risk limits establish threshold and
performance metrics that the Corporation and each subsidiary
bank must adhere to in pursuit of its strategic objectives. Credit
risk tolerance are defined along three dimensions: (1) loss and
credit performance tolerances; (2) portfolio composition and
concentration tolerances; and (3) industry and name-level
tolerances.

Credit risk occurs any time funds are advanced, committed,
invested or otherwise exposed. Credit risk arises primarily from
the Corporation’s lending activities, as well as from other
instruments.
on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet credit
Credit
the
is
creditworthiness of the borrower or counterparty, the adequacy
of underlying collateral given current events and conditions,
and the existence and strength of any guarantor support.

risk management

on analyzing

based

Business activities that expose the Corporation to credit risk
are managed within the Board’s established limits that consider
factors, such as maintaining a prudent balance of risk-taking
across diversified risk types and business units (compliance
such as
with regulatory
controlling the
concentrations
exposure to lower credit quality assets, and limiting growth in,

and loan-to-value

considering

guidance,

ratios),

factors

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

51

and overall exposure to, any product or risk segment where the
Corporation does not have sufficient experience and a proven
ability to predict credit losses.

credit

The significant changes in the economic conditions and the
resulting changes in the borrower’s profile over the past several
years requires the Corporation to continue to focus on the
identification, monitoring and managing of its credit risk. The
Corporation manages
risk by maintaining sound
underwriting standards, monitoring and evaluating loan
portfolio quality,
its trends and collectability, and assessing
reserves and loan concentrations. Also, credit risk is mitigated
by implementing and monitoring lending policies and collateral
requirements, and instituting credit
review procedures to
ensure appropriate actions to comply with laws and regulations.
The Corporation’s credit policies require prompt identification
and quantification of asset quality deterioration or potential loss
in order to ensure the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.
Included in these policies, primarily determined by the amount,
type of loan and risk characteristics of the credit facility, are
various approval levels and lending limit constraints, ranging
from the branch or department level to those that are more
the Corporation
centralized. When considered necessary,
and
extensions
credit
support
requires
commitments, which is generally in the form of real estate and
personal property, cash on deposit and other highly liquid
instruments.

collateral

to

that

in the detail

The Corporation’s Credit Strategy Committee (“CRESCO”)
is management’s top policy-making body with respect to credit-
related matters and credit strategies. CRESCO reviews the
activities of each subsidiary,
it deems
appropriate, to ensure a proactive and coordinated management
of credit granting, credit exposures and credit procedures.
CRESCO’s principal functions include reviewing the adequacy
of the allowance for loan losses and periodically approving
appropriate provisions, monitoring compliance with charge-off
policy, establishing portfolio diversification standards, yield and
quality standards,
reporting
establishing credit
standards, monitoring asset quality, and approving credit
policies and amendments thereto for the subsidiaries and/or
business lines, including special lending approval authorities
when and if appropriate. The analysis of
the allowance
adequacy is presented to the Risk Management Committee of
the Board of Directors for review, consideration and ratification
on a quarterly basis.

exposure

independent of

The Corporation also has

a Corporate Credit Risk
Management Division (“CCRMD”). CCRMD is a centralized
unit,
the lending function. The CCRMD’s
functions include identifying, measuring and controlling credit
risk independently from the business units, evaluating the
credit risk rating system and reviewing the adequacy of the
allowance for loan losses in accordance with GAAP and
regulatory standards. CCRMD also ensures that the subsidiaries
comply with the credit policies and applicable regulations, and

52

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

the portfolio,

the CCRMD
monitors credit underwriting standards. Also,
including
performs ongoing monitoring of
potential areas of concern for
specific borrowers and/or
geographic regions. During the past years, the CCRMD has
strengthened its quantitative measurement capabilities, part of
continued improvements
risk management
processes.

to the credit

construction,

The Corporation’s Corporate Loan Review and Model Risk
Monitoring (“CLR & MRM”) Division is an independent
function from the CCRMD. Through the Commercial Loan
the Corporate Loan Review Department
Review Unit at
(“CLRD”), CLR & MRM evaluates compliance with the Bank’s
Commercial Credit Norms and Procedures and the precision of
risk rating accuracy. The CLRD performs annual credit process
reviews of several commercial portfolios, including small and
middle market,
asset-based and corporate
banking lending groups in BPPR, as well as BPNA’s commercial
and construction portfolios. This group evaluates the credit risk
profile of each originating unit along with each unit’s credit
administration effectiveness, including the assessment of the
risk rating representative of the current credit quality of the
collateral
loans,
of
by CLRD
documentation. The monitoring
contributes to assess compliance with credit policies and
underwriting standards, to determine the current level of credit
risk, to evaluate the effectiveness of the credit management
process and to identify control deficiencies that may arise in the
credit-origination and management processes. Based on its
findings, CLRD develops
to implement
corrective actions,
if necessary, that help in maintaining a
sound credit process and that credit risk is kept at an acceptable
level. The Loan Review Department reports the results of the
credit process reviews to the Risk Management Committee of
the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

credit
performed

recommendations

evaluation

and

and

the

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation’s credit exposure
was centered in its $24.9 billion total loan portfolio, which
represented 61% of
assets. The portfolio
composition for the last five years is presented in Table 9.

earning

its

The Corporation issues certain credit-related off-balance
sheet financial instruments including commitments to extend
credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit
to meet the financing needs of its customers. For these financial
instruments, the contract amount represents the credit risk
the counterparty to perform in
associated with failure of
accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract and
the decline in value of the underlying collateral. The credit risk
associated with these financial instruments varies depending on
the counterparty’s creditworthiness and the value of any
collateral held. Refer to Note 27 to the consolidated financial
statements and to the Contractual Obligations and Commercial
Commitments section of this MD&A for the Corporation’s
involvement in these credit-related activities.

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation maintained a reserve of
approximately $10 million for potential losses associated with
unfunded loan commitments
related to commercial and
consumer lines of credit (2016 - $9 million).

The Corporation is also exposed to credit risk by using
derivative instruments but manages the level of risk by only
dealing with counterparties of good credit standing, entering
into master netting agreements whenever possible and, when
appropriate, obtaining collateral. Refer to Note 29 to the
consolidated financial statements for further information on the
in derivative instruments and
Corporation’s
hedging activities, and the Derivatives sub-section included
under Risk Management in this MD&A.

involvement

the investment

the composition of

The Corporation may also encounter risk of default in
relation to its investment securities portfolio. Refer to Notes 7
securities
and 8 for
available-for-sale
investment
securities portfolio held by the Corporation at December 31,
2017 are mostly Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored
entities, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed
securities and Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political
subdivisions.

held-to-maturity. The

and

The Corporation’s credit risk exposure is spread among
individual consumers, small and medium businesses, as well as
corporate borrowers engaged in a wide variety of industries. Of
these commercial lending relationships, 312 have an aggregate
exposure of $10 million or more. At December 31, 2017, highly
leveraged transactions and credit facilities to finance real estate
ventures or business acquisitions amounted to $246 million
(2016 – $195 million), and there are no loans to less developed
countries.
to
concentrations of credit risk by the nature of its lending limits.

The Corporation

exposure

limits

its

The Corporation has a significant portfolio of commercial
loans, mostly secured by commercial real estate properties. Due
to their nature, these loans entail a higher credit risk than
consumer and residential mortgage loans, since they are larger
in size, may have less collateral coverage, higher concentrated
risk in a single borrower and are generally more sensitive to
economic downturns. General
and
numerous other factors continue to create volatility in collateral
values and have increased the possibility that additional losses
may have to be recognized with respect to the Corporation’s
current nonperforming assets. Furthermore, given the current
slowdown in the real estate market, particularly in Puerto Rico,
the properties securing these loans may be difficult to dispose
of, if foreclosed.

conditions

economic

Historically, the levels of real estate prices in Puerto Rico
were more stable than in other U.S. markets. Nevertheless, the
current economic environment has accelerated the devaluation
of properties.
In addition, demographic trends are also
impacting the demand for housing and hence the devaluation of
few years, as the recession has
properties. Over the last
continued, outmigration has accelerated to leading lower

housing demand in Puerto Rico. Further declines in property
values could impact the credit quality of the loan portfolios in
Puerto Rico as the value of the collateral underlying the loans is
the primary source of repayment in the event of foreclosure.
Lower real estate values could increase the provision for loan
losses,
foreclosures and the cost of
repossessing and disposing of real estate collateral.

loan delinquencies,

Over the past several years, the Corporation has focused in
de-risking its loan portfolios by reducing its exposure in asset
classes with historically high loss content. In Puerto Rico, the
construction portfolio has been reduced significantly standing
at only $95 million in December 31, 2017. In the U.S., during
the second half of 2014, the divesture of its regional operations
in California, Illinois, and Central Florida, as well as the sale of
certain non-performing and legacy assets were completed, as
part of the U.S. operations reorganization. Furthermore, the
Corporation has significantly curtailed the production of
non-traditional mortgages as it ceased originating subprime
consumer loans and non-conventional mortgage loans in its
U.S. mainland operations. This shift in the risk profile of the
credit portfolios has strengthened the Corporation and its better
positioned to operate in Puerto Rico’s complex environment.
The Corporation continues to analyze and monitor the higher
risk segments of
and although deemed
appropriately sized and within the risk tolerance limits, remains
attentive to changes in trends.

its portfolios,

Management continues to refine the Corporation’s credit
standards to meet the changing economic environment. The
Corporation has strengthened its underwriting criteria, as well
as enhanced its line management, collection strategies and
problem loan management process. The commercial lending
and administration groups continue strengthening critical areas
to manage more effectively the current scenario,
focusing
strategies on critical steps in the origination and portfolio
management processes to ensure the quality of incoming loans
as well as to detect and manage potential problem loans early.
The
also tightened the
underwriting standards across all business lines and reduced its
exposure in areas that are more likely to be impacted under the
current economic conditions.

group has

consumer

lending

During the month of September, Hurricanes Irma and Maria
made landfall causing extensive destruction in Puerto Rico, the
U.S. and British Virgin Islands. These natural disasters left
unprecedented destruction causing a collapse of the electric,
water and telecommunication systems, leaving the population
with huge challenges in light of an already fragile economy
prior to the hurricanes. Restoration of the island’s electric
infrastructure and the telecommunications network, as well as
the speed of
remain the most critical
challenges for Puerto Rico’s recovery from the hurricanes.
Power outage has extended much longer than expected, causing
people to migrate off-island and business disruptions, among
other issues. Power generation is currently at approximately

such restoration,

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

53

85% of normal electricity production, up from 30% at the end
of October, now reaching 87% of all customers.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, a loan payment
moratorium was granted to consumer
and commercial
borrowers in response to the effects of the hurricanes. The
Corporation continues to assess the impact of the hurricanes on
its customers and potential credit losses. As of December 31,
2017, the key measures used to evaluate and monitor the
Corporation’s asset quality have been affected by the payment
moratorium, and the temporary suspension of collection and
foreclosure activities after the hurricanes.

Geographic and Government Risk
The Corporation is exposed to geographic and government risk.
composition by
The Corporation’s
geographical area and by business segment reporting are
presented in Note 41 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

and revenue

assets

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
A significant portion of our financial activities and credit
exposure is concentrated in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
(the “Commonwealth” or “Puerto Rico”), which continues to
be in a severe economic and fiscal crisis and was recently
significantly impacted by two major hurricanes.

Hurricanes Impact
During the month of September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and
Maria, two major hurricanes, caused extensive destruction in
Puerto Rico, disrupting the primary market in which BPPR does
business. Most relevant, Hurricane Maria made landfall on
September 20, 2017, causing severe wind and flood damage to
infrastructure, homes and businesses throughout Puerto Rico.
Following the passage of Hurricane Maria, all Puerto Rico was
left without
and
infrastructure services (such as water, communications, ports
and other transportation networks) were severely curtailed and
the government imposed a mandatory curfew. The hurricanes
caused significant disruption to the island’s economic activity.
Most
and
wholesalers, financial institutions, manufacturing facilities and
hotels, were closed for several days.

electrical power, other basic utility

establishments,

including

business

retailers

Puerto Rico was declared a disaster zone by President
Trump due to the impact of the hurricanes, thus making it
eligible for Federal assistance. Notwithstanding the significant
recovery operation that has been carried out by Federal, state
and local governments during the past five months, and which
is still underway, as of the date of this report, approximately
13% of the clients of the government’s electric utility company
remain without power
(according to the government’s
estimates), and number of businesses are operating partially or
remain closed, while others have permanently
closed.
Electronic transactions, a significant source of revenue for
BPPR, declined significantly in the months following the

54

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

a

of

of

as

the

lack

result

levels.

power

hurricanes
and
telecommunication services, but have already returned to
pre-hurricane
the
hurricanes have also accelerated the outmigration trends that
Puerto Rico was experiencing, with many residents moving to
the mainland United States, either on a temporary or
permanent basis.

indicate

reports

Several

that

The damages caused by the hurricanes are substantial and
have had a material adverse impact on economic activity in
Puerto Rico. As further discussed below, the government’s
Proposed Fiscal Plan (as defined below) estimates an 11%
decrease in real gross national product (“GNP”) in fiscal year
2018 (July 2017-June 2018), as well as a steep decrease in the
government’s tax revenues. It is still, however, too early to fully
assess and quantify the extent of the damage caused by the
hurricanes, as well as their long-term impact on economic
activity. For a discussion of the impact of the hurricanes on the
Corporation’s operations and financial results during 2017,
refer to Note 2 – Hurricanes impact, on the accompanying
financial statements. For additional discussion of risk factors
related to the impact of the hurricanes, see Item 1A of this
report.

the hurricanes,

Fiscal and Economic Crisis
Even before
the Commonwealth was
experiencing a severe fiscal and economic crisis resulting from
continuing economic contraction, persistent and significant
budget deficits,
a high debt burden, unfunded legacy
obligations, and lack of access to the capital markets, among
other factors. The Commonwealth’s deficits were historically
covered with bond financings,
from Government
Development Bank for Puerto Rico (“GDB”), and other
extraordinary one-time revenue measures, as well through the
deferment of the cost of certain legacy obligations, such as
pensions.

loans

Notwithstanding the implementation of a number of
extraordinary measures aimed at increasing revenues, reducing
expenditures, and managing the government’s liquidity, the
Commonwealth’s structural
imbalance between revenue and
expenditure and its unfunded legacy obligations, coupled with
the Commonwealth’s inability to access the capital markets,
eventually resulted in the Commonwealth and certain of its
instrumentalities being unable to pay scheduled debt payments
services. A
while
moratorium on most debt service payments has been in place
2016 and, as further discussed below, the Commonwealth and
several of
its instrumentalities are currently pursuing debt
restructuring proceedings under Titles III or VI of the Puerto
Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act
(“PROMESA”).

government

continuing

provide

to

Following the hurricanes,

the Commonwealth and its
instrumentalities have had to incur significant extraordinary
expenditures, while experiencing a substantial decrease in tax

and other revenues. The Commonwealth’s municipalities are
also facing similar challenges. Such circumstances have
aggravated the enduring fiscal and economic crisis and have
further strained the government’s liquidity, notwithstanding the
receipt of significant Federal assistance. The government has
announced that it will need to obtain loans from the Federal
government in order to continue financing the recovery efforts
and to provide necessary, interim support to the Puerto Rico
Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”) and the Puerto Rico
Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (“PRASA”). Furthermore, the
Legislative Assembly recently enacted legislation to authorize
the government to make loans of up to $550 million and
$80 million to PREPA and PRASA, respectively, in order to
cover the expected liquidity shortfalls of such entities, which
provide essential electric power and water services to the
residents of Puerto Rico. On February 19, 2018, the federal
judge
restructuring
proceedings under Title III of PROMESA (further discussed
below) authorized PREPA to obtain a $300 million emergency
loan from the Commonwealth. Such loan is expected to provide
temporary liquidity relief to PREPA to allow for recovery efforts
further service interruptions. The
to continue and prevent
it will need to implement a
Government anticipates that
number of additional extraordinary measures to address its
many challenges, some of which are described in the Proposed
Fiscal Plan (further discussed below).

presiding

pending

debt

over

the

Economic Performance
Puerto Rico entered into recession in the fourth quarter of fiscal
year 2006. Puerto Rico’s GNP has thereafter contracted in real
terms every year between fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2016
(inclusive), with the exception of growth of 0.5% in fiscal year
2012 (likely as a result of the large amount of governmental
stimulus and deficit spending in that fiscal year). The last
Puerto Rico Planning Board estimates, released in April 2017
(before the impact of the hurricanes), project GNP to further
contract by 1.7% and 1.5% during fiscal years 2017 and 2018,
respectively. The latest Economic Activity Index issued by
GDB, which is an indicator of general economic activity and not
a direct measurement of GNP, reflected a 2.1% reduction in the
average for fiscal year 2017, compared to the prior fiscal year.
During the first six months of fiscal year 2018 (July 2017-
December 2017), the Economic Activity Index reflected a 9.4%
average reduction compared to the corresponding figure for
fiscal year 2017.

As discussed above, Hurricanes Irma and Maria have had a
material adverse impact on economic activity that is likely to be
reflected in further reductions to GNP and the Economic
Activity Index during fiscal year 2018. The Puerto Rico
economy could also be adversely impacted as a result of the
enactment by the U.S. Congress of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of
2017, which imposes a 12.5% tax on income generated from
patents and licenses held by companies outside of the United

States, including those operating in Puerto Rico. Such new tax
could affect Puerto Rico’s ability to attract or retain foreign
corporations engaged in manufacturing, a dominant sector in
the Puerto Rico economy. Considering these factors,
the
Proposed Fiscal Plan estimates an 11% contraction in real GNP
for fiscal year 2018.

created a

seven-member

Enactment of PROMESA
PROMESA, which was enacted by the Federal government in
June 2016,
federally-appointed
oversight board (the “Oversight Board”) with ample powers
over the fiscal and economic affairs of the Commonwealth, its
instrumentalities,
and municipalities. On August 2016,
President Obama appointed the seven voting members of the
Oversight Board. Pursuant to PROMESA, the Oversight Board
will remain in place until market access is restored and
balanced budgets,
in accordance with modified accrual
accounting, are produced for at least four consecutive years.

its

instrumentalities

The Oversight Board has designated the Commonwealth and
“covered entities” under
as
all of
PROMESA. None of
the Commonwealth’s municipalities,
however, have been designated as covered entities as of the date
of this report. Such designation has several implications under
PROMESA. First, it means that the Governor has to submit
such entity’s annual budgets and, if the Oversight Board so
requests, its fiscal plans, to the Oversight Board for its review
and approval. Second, covered entities may not issue debt or
guarantee, exchange, modify, repurchase, redeem, or enter into
similar transactions with respect to their debts without the
prior approval of the Oversight Board. Finally, they could also
potentially be eligible to use the restructuring processes
provided by PROMESA. One of such restructuring processes,
Title VI,
is a largely out-of-court process through which a
government entity and its financial creditors can agree on terms
to restructure such entity’s debt. If a supermajority of creditors
of a certain category agrees, that agreement can bind all other
creditors in such category. The other one, Title III, draws on
the federal bankruptcy code and provides a court-supervised
process for a comprehensive restructuring led by the Oversight
Board. Access to either of these procedures is dependent on
compliance with
in
established
PROMESA, including the approval of the Oversight Board.

requirements

certain

Fiscal Plans
Commonwealth Fiscal Plan. As required by PROMESA, the
government submitted a fiscal plan to the Oversight Board,
which the Oversight Board certified, with certain amendments,
on March 2017 (the “Original Fiscal Plan”). The Original Fiscal
Plan,
its
instrumentalities, estimated that, absent the revenue enhancing
and expense reduction measures set forth therein and assuming
the payment of debt service as contracted, the Commonwealth’s
10-year budget gap would reach approximately $66.9 billion.

the Commonwealth and several of

covering

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

55

the Original Fiscal Plan projected that

Assuming the successful implementation of all measures set
the
forth therein,
Commonwealth and the other entities covered by the fiscal plan
would only have $7.8 billion available for the payment of debt
service during said 10-year period (compared to $35 billion of
contractual debt
recognizing the need for
thus
significant debt restructuring and/or write downs.

service),

a

(i)

plan

prepare

new fiscal

As a result of the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria,
on October 31, 2017, the Oversight Board requested that the
government
revising
macroeconomic driver effects on revenue and expenses,
(ii) adapting fiscal/structural reform measures and schedule
based on feasibility and recovery timeline, and (iii) integrating
recovery funds and reimbursement timing with the capital plan.
The government submitted such revised fiscal plan to the
Oversight Board on January 24, 2018 and, on February 5, 2018,
the Oversight Board sent a letter to Governor Rosselló calling
for certain revisions to the revised plan. The government
submitted a further revised fiscal plan on February 12, 2018
(the “Proposed Fiscal Plan”). The Oversight Board is in the
process of reviewing the Proposed Fiscal Plan and has stated
that it expects to certify a fiscal plan for the Commonwealth by
March 30, 2018. The fiscal plan that is ultimately certified for
the Commonwealth, however, may vary significantly from the
Proposed Fiscal Plan.

The Proposed Fiscal Plan, which covers a 6-year period,
estimates an 11% contraction in real GNP during fiscal year
2018, followed by 5 years of economic growth. It also projects
that the Commonwealth will have a cash flow surplus of
approximately $3.4 billion over such period, excluding the
payment of any debt service (compared to a $4.8 billion cash
flow surplus projected by the Original Fiscal Plan for the same
period, excluding the payment of debt service). The economic
performance and cash flow projections take into account the
adverse impact of
the hurricanes on the economy and
government revenues, which is expected to be partially offset
by the positive impact of increased federal support, significant
reconstruction spending, and structural reforms. The Proposed
Fiscal Plan includes illustrative estimates of the implied debt
the Commonwealth and the instrumentalities
capacity of
covered by the plan, based on a range of interest rates and
assuming a 30-year term. Such estimates reaffirm the need for
significant debt
and/or write-downs. The
Proposed Fiscal Plan does not take any position as to the
repayments to any particular class of
allocation of debt
creditors. Pursuant
the
Commonwealth will need a liquidity facility in fiscal year 2018
to finance the recovery effort and to provide necessary, interim
support to PREPA and PRASA. Finally, the Proposed Fiscal
Plan includes a number measures intended to be implemented
including
by the government to reduce the financing gap,
the
public-private
efforts,
centralization of

to the Proposed Fiscal Plan,

government’s procurement

consolidations,

partnerships,

restructuring

agency

the

56

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

appropriations

reductions
in
implementation
improvement of
services provided by municipalities.

the
and
the
healthcare
of
tax collections, and the consolidation of

incentives,
reforms,

and

tax

provided

subsidies

Neither the Original Fiscal Plan nor the Proposed Fiscal
Plan contemplate a restructuring of the debt of Puerto Rico’s
municipalities. Both plans, however, as part of their expense
reduction measures, contemplate the gradual reduction of
budgetary
to municipalities, which
constitute a material portion of the operating revenues of
certain municipalities. The Proposed Fiscal Plan contemplates
that such subsidies will be reduced by 80% of current levels by
fiscal year 2023. Pursuant to the Proposed Fiscal Plan, the
reduction in direct payments to municipalities could be offset
by a modernized property tax regime that will focus on updated
property values and improved tax collections, and on the
regionalization of services through the implementation of a new
county structure. Furthermore, according to the Proposed
is also considering a county
Fiscal Plan,
support fund of $100 million per year, with a sunset in fiscal
year 2023, to incentivize and enable the transition into the new
county structure. The Proposed Fiscal Plan is publicly available
at the website of the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial
Advisory Authority.

the government

Other Fiscal Plans. Pursuant to PROMESA, the Oversight
Board also requested and approved fiscal plans for (i) GDB, (ii)
and Transportation Authority,
Puerto Rico Highways
(iii) PREPA, (iv) PRASA and (v) the Public Corporation for the
Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives. All such fiscal plans
reflected that the applicable government entity is unable to pay
its financial obligations in full, thus recognizing the need for
debt relief. Moreover, following the hurricanes, the Oversight
Board requested that the government submit new fiscal plans
for such entities. The government submitted revised fiscal plans
for PREPA and PRASA on January 24, 2018, and the Oversight
Board sent a letter to Governor Rosselló calling for certain
revisions to the same on February 5, 2018. Further revised
fiscal plans for PREPA and PRASA were submitted by the
government to the Oversight Board and are currently being
reviewed by the Oversight Board. PREPA’s certified fiscal plan,
as well as the most recent public draft of the fiscal plan for
PREPA, assume changes to the treatment of the municipal
contribution in lieu of taxes, which could result in increased
electricity expenses for municipalities. The Oversight Board has
stated that it intends to certify fiscal plans for PREPA and
PRASA by March 30, 2018. The fiscal plans ultimately certified
by the Oversight Board for PREPA and PRASA may vary
significantly from the most recent versions of the fiscal plans
for such entities submitted by the government to the Oversight
Board.

GDB’s certified fiscal plan (a revised fiscal plan for GDB has
not yet been submitted to the Oversight Board) contemplates
the wind-down of GDB’s operations and the distribution of the

cash flows of GDB’s
loan portfolio among its creditors
(including depositors). Pursuant to the Restructuring Support
Agreement, dated May 15, 2017, entered into by and among
GDB and a significant portion of its financial creditors (the
“GDB RSA”), GDB noteholders and municipal depositors would
be eligible to exchange their claims against GDB for one of
three tranches of bonds to be issued by a new government
entity and which would have varied upfront exchange ratios
(ranging from 55% to 75%) and coupon rates (ranging from
3.5% to 7.5%). The new bonds would be payable from
payments received in respect of certain assets to be transferred
by GDB to such new government entity (consisting largely of
municipal loans). The legality of the modification of GDB’s
financial obligations outlined in the GDB RSA is currently being
challenged in court by certain dissenting municipalities with
deposits in GDB.

the Oversight Board, on behalf of

Pending Title III and Title VI Proceedings
the
On May 3, 2017,
Commonwealth, filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for
the District of Puerto Rico to restructure the Commonwealth’s
liabilities under Title III of PROMESA. The Oversight Board has
subsequently filed analogous petitions with respect to COFINA,
ERS, HTA and PREPA. As of the date of this report, the plans of
adjustment for said entities’ debts have not been filed. Based on
the projection of funds available for debt service under the
applicable fiscal plans, however, the restructuring is expected to
result in significant discounts on creditor recoveries.

On July 12, 2017,

the Oversight Board conditionally
authorized GDB to pursue the modification of its financial
obligations outlined in the GDB RSA pursuant to Title VI of
PROMESA.

Exposure of the Corporation
The credit quality of BPPR’s loan portfolio necessarily reflects,
among other things, the general economic conditions in Puerto
Rico and other adverse conditions affecting Puerto Rico
consumers and businesses. The effects of
the prolonged
recession are reflected in limited loan demand, an increase in
the rate of foreclosures and delinquencies on loans granted in
Puerto Rico. While PROMESA provides a process to address the
Commonwealth’s fiscal crisis, the length and complexity of the
Title III proceedings for the Commonwealth and various of its
the adjustment measures required by the
instrumentalities,
fiscal plans and the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria
suggest a risk of further significant economic contraction. In
addition, the measures taken to address the fiscal crisis and
those that will have to be taken in the near future will likely
affect many of our
individual customers and customers’
businesses, which could cause credit losses that adversely affect
us and may negatively affect consumer confidence. This, in
turn, results in reductions in consumer spending that may also
adversely impact our interest and non-interest revenues. If

the Commonwealth’s

global or local economic conditions worsen or the Government
of Puerto Rico and the Oversight Board are unable to
post-hurricane
adequately manage
recovery efforts and pre-existing fiscal crisis,
including by
consummating an orderly restructuring of its debt obligations
while continuing to provide essential services, these adverse
effects could continue or worsen in ways that we are not able to
predict. For additional discussion of risk factors related to the
impact of the hurricanes, see Item 1A of this report.

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation’s direct exposure to
the Puerto Rico government and its instrumentalities and
municipalities amounted to $ 484 million, which is fully
outstanding at year-end (compared to a direct exposure of
approximately $584 million, of which $529 million was
the
outstanding at December 31, 2016). Deterioration of
Commonwealth’s fiscal and economic situation, including any
negative ratings implications, could further adversely affect the
value of our Puerto Rico government obligations, resulting in
losses to us. Of the amount outstanding, $ 435 million consists
of loans and $ 49 million are securities ($459 million and
$70 million, respectively, at December 31, 2016). All of the
amount outstanding at December 31, 2017 were obligations
from various Puerto Rico municipalities. In most cases, these
were “general obligations” of a municipality, to which the
applicable municipality has pledged its good faith, credit and
unlimited taxing power, or
a
municipality, to which the applicable municipality has pledged
other
the
revenues. At December 31, 2017, 74% of
Corporation’s exposure to municipal loans and securities was
concentrated in the municipalities of San Juan, Guaynabo,
Carolina and Bayamón. Although the Oversight Board has not
designated any of the Commonwealth’s 78 municipalities as
covered entities under PROMESA, it may decide to do so in the
future. For a more detailed description of the Corporation’s
direct exposure to the Puerto Rico government and its
to Note 27 –
instrumentalities and municipalities,
Commitments and contingencies.

“special obligations” of

refer

During the third quarter of 2017, the Corporation sold all of
its Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (“COFINA”)
bonds at a gain of approximately $0.1 million. The Corporation
had recorded an other-than-temporary impairment charge of
$8.3 million in respect of those bonds during the second
quarter of 2017 as a result of
the Title III
proceeding in respect of COFINA and the non-payment of
interest on the COFINA bonds in June 2017 pursuant to a court
order issued in such proceeding.

the filing of

In addition, at December 31, 2017, the Corporation had
$386 million in indirect exposure to loans or securities issued
or guaranteed by Puerto Rico governmental entities, but whose
principal source of repayment are non-governmental entities. In
such obligations,
entity
guarantees any shortfall in collateral in the event of borrower
default ($406 million at December 31, 2016). These included

the Puerto Rico governmental

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

57

$310 million in residential mortgage loans guaranteed by the
Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority (“HFA”), an entity that
has been designated as a covered entity under PROMESA
(December 31, 2016 - $326 million). These mortgage loans are
secured by the underlying properties and the HFA guarantee
serves to cover shortfalls in collateral in the event of a borrower
default. Although the Governor is currently authorized by local
legislation to impose a temporary moratorium on the financial
obligations of HFA, he has not exercised this power as of the
date hereof. Also, at December 31, 2017, the Corporation had
$44 million in Puerto Rico housing bonds issued by HFA,
which are secured by second mortgage loans on Puerto Rico
residential properties, $7 million in pass-through securities that
have been economically defeased and refunded and for which
collateral including U.S. agencies and Treasury obligations has
been escrowed, and $25 million of commercial real estate notes
issued by government entities, but payable from rent paid by
private parties ($43 million, $6 million and $31 million
December 31, 2016, respectively).

BPPR’s commercial

loan portfolio also includes loans to
private borrowers who are service providers, lessors, suppliers
or have other
relationships with the government. These
borrowers could be negatively affected by the fiscal measures to
be implemented to address the Commonwealth’s fiscal crisis
and the ongoing Title III proceedings under PROMESA
described above. Similarly, BPPR’s mortgage and consumer loan
portfolios include loans to government employees which could
also be negatively affected by fiscal measures such as employee
layoffs or furloughs.

BPPR also has a significant amount of deposits from the
Commonwealth, its instrumentalities, and municipalities. The
amount of such deposits may fluctuate depending on the
financial condition and liquidity of such entities, as well as on
the ability of BPPR to maintain these customer relationships.

United States Virgin Islands
The Corporation has operations in the United States Virgin
Islands
(the “USVI”) and has credit exposure to USVI
government entities.

The USVI has been experiencing a number of fiscal and
economic challenges that could adversely affect the ability of its
public corporations and instrumentalities to service their
outstanding debt obligations, and was also severely impacted by
Hurricanes Irma and María. PROMESA does not apply to the
USVI and, as such, there is currently no federal legislation
permitting the restructuring of the debts of the USVI and its
public corporations and instrumentalities.

To the extent that the fiscal condition of the USVI continues
to deteriorate, the U.S. Congress or the Government of the
USVI may enact legislation allowing for the restructuring of the
financial obligations of USVI government entities or imposing a
including by making PROMESA
stay on creditor remedies,
applicable to the USVI.

58

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation’s direct exposure to
USVI instrumentalities and public corporations amounted to
approximately $82 million, of which approximately $73 million
is outstanding. Of the amount outstanding, approximately (i)
$43 million represents loans to the West Indian Company LTD,
a government-owned company that owns and operates a cruise
ship pier and shopping mall complex in St. Thomas, (ii)
$14 million represents loans to the Virgin Islands Water and
Power Authority, a public corporation of the USVI that operates
USVI’s water production and electric generation plants, and (iii)
$16 million represents loans to the Virgin Islands Public
Finance Authority, a public corporation of the USVI created for
the purpose of raising capital for public projects.

U.S. Government
As further detailed in Notes 7 and 8 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements, a substantial portion of the Corporation’s
securities
investment
to the U.S.
in the form of U.S. Government sponsored
Government
entities, as well as agency mortgage-backed and U.S. Treasury
securities. In addition, $1.7 billion of residential mortgages and
$88 million commercial loans were insured or guaranteed by
the U.S. Government or its agencies at December 31, 2017.

represented exposure

Non-Performing Assets
Non-performing assets include primarily past-due loans that are
no longer accruing interest, renegotiated loans, and real estate
property acquired through foreclosure. A summary, including
certain credit quality metrics, is presented in Table 28.

On June 30, 2015, the shared-loss arrangement under the
commercial loss share agreement with the FDIC related to the
loans acquired from Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted
transaction in 2010 expired. Loans and OREO’s that remain
covered under
the single-family loss share
agreement continue to be presented as covered assets in the
accompanying tables and credit metrics as of December 31,
2017.

the terms of

Because of the application of ASC Subtopic 310-30 to the
Westernbank acquired loans and the loss protection provided
by the FDIC which limits the risks on the covered loans, the
Corporation has determined to provide certain quality metrics
in this MD&A that exclude such covered loans to facilitate the
comparison between loan portfolios and across periods. The
Corporation believes the inclusion of these loans in certain
asset quality ratios in the numerator or denominator (or both)
would result in a distortion to these ratios. In addition, because
charge-offs related to the acquired loans are recorded against
the non-accretable balance, the net charge-off ratio including
the acquired loans is lower for the single-family loan portfolios
which includes covered loans. The inclusion of these loans in
the asset quality ratios could result in a lack of comparability
across periods and could negatively impact comparability with
impacted by acquisition
other portfolios

that were not

accounting. The Corporation believes that the presentation of
asset quality measures, excluding covered loans and related
amounts from both the numerator and denominator, provides a
better perspective into underlying trends related to the quality
of its loan portfolio.

Non-performing assets, excluding covered loans and OREO,
decreased by $18 million when compared with December 31,
2016, mainly attributed to lower Puerto Rico OREOs of
$10 million, mostly related to the temporary suspension of
foreclosure activities after
the hurricanes. Non-performing
$7 million from
decreased
loans held-in-portfolio
December 31, 2016, mostly driven by lower Puerto Rico
mortgage NPLs of $11 million, impacted by lower inflows as a
result of the payment moratorium.

by

Table 28 - Non-Performing Assets

At December 31, 2017, non-performing loans secured by
real estate held-in-portfolio, excluding covered loans, amounted
to $449 million in the Puerto Rico operations and $36 million
in the U.S. operations. These figures compare to $467 million
in the Puerto Rico operations and $21 million in the U.S.
operations
In addition to the
non-performing loans included in Table 28 at December 31,
there were $155 million of non-covered performing
2017,
loans, mostly commercial
loans, which in management’s
opinion, are currently subject to potential future classification
as non-performing and are considered impaired, compared with
$169 million at December 31, 2016.

at December 31, 2016.

(Dollars in thousands)

BPPR

BPNA

Popular,
Inc.

BPPR

BPNA

Popular,
Inc.

BPPR

BPNA

Popular,
Inc.

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

Non-accrual loans:
Commercial
Construction
Legacy [1]
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer

Total non-performing loans

held-in-portfolio, excluding covered
loans

Non-performing loans held-for-sale [2]
Other real estate owned (“OREO”),

$ 161,226 $ 3,839 $ 165,065 $159,655 $ 3,693 $163,348 $177,902 $ 3,914 $181,816
3,550
3,649
3,009
351,471
58,304

–
3,039
2,974
321,549
58,330

–
–
2,974
306,697
40,543

–
3,337
3,062
329,907
58,261

–
–
3,062
318,194
51,597

3,550
–
3,009
337,933
52,440

–
3,039
–
14,852
17,787

–
3,337
–
11,713
6,664

–
3,649
–
13,538
5,864

511,440
–

39,517
–

550,957
–

532,508
–

25,407
–

557,915
–

574,834
44,696

26,965
473

601,799
45,169

excluding covered OREO

167,253

2,007

169,260

177,412

3,033

180,445

151,439

3,792

155,231

Total non-performing assets, excluding

covered assets

Covered loans and OREO [3]

$ 678,693 $41,524 $ 720,217 $709,920 $28,440 $738,360 $770,969 $31,230 $802,199
40,571

22,948

22,948

40,571

36,044

36,044

–

–

–

Total non-performing assets

$ 701,641 $41,524 $ 743,165 $745,964 $28,440 $774,404 $811,540 $31,230 $842,770

Accruing loans past-due 90 days or

more [4] [5]

$1,225,149 $

– $1,225,149 $426,652 $

– $426,652 $446,725 $

– $446,725

Excluding covered loans: [6]
Non-performing loans to loans

held-in-portfolio

Including covered loans:
Non-performing loans to loans

held-in-portfolio

Interest lost

2.27%

2.45%

2.69%

2.23%

$

29,920

2.41%

$ 29,385

2.63%

$ 27,644

[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA reportable segment.

[2] There were no non-performing loans held-for-sale as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 - $45 million in commercial loans and

$95 thousand in construction loans).

[3] The amount consists of $3 million in non-performing loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-20 and $20 million in covered OREO at December 31, 2017
(December 31, 2016 - $4 million and $32 million, respectively; December 31, 2015 - $4 million and $37 million, respectively). It excludes covered loans accounted
for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest
income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analyses.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

59

[5]

[4] The carrying value of loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 that are contractually 90 days or more past due was $272 million at December 31, 2017
(December 31, 2016 - $282 million; December 31, 2015 - $349 million). This amount is excluded from the above table as the loans’ accretable yield interest
recognition is independent from the underlying contractual loan delinquency status.
It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more
as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. The balance of these loans includes $840 million related to the rebooking of loans
previously pooled into GNMA securities, in which the Corporation had a buy-back option as further described below. These balances include $178 million of
residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 -
$181 million; December 31, 2015 - $164). Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately $58 million in reverse mortgage loans which are guaranteed by FHA,
but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of the loans, it is the Corporation’s policy to exclude these balances from
non-performing assets (December 30, 2016 - $68 million; December 31, 2015 - $70 million).

[6] These asset quality ratios have been adjusted to remove the impact of covered loans. Appropriate adjustments to the numerator and denominator have been
reflected in the calculation of these ratios. Management believes the inclusion of acquired loans in certain asset quality ratios that include non-performing assets,
past due loans or net charge-offs in the numerator and denominator results in distortions of these ratios and they may not be comparable to other periods
presented or to other portfolios that were not impacted by purchase accounting.

Table 28 (continued) - Non-Performing Assets

(Dollars in thousands)

Non-accrual loans:
Commercial
Construction
Legacy [1]
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer

Total non-performing loans held-in-portfolio, excluding covered loans
Non-performing loans held-for-sale [2]
Other real estate owned (“OREO”), excluding covered OREO

Total non-performing assets, excluding covered assets
Covered loans and OREO [3]

Total non-performing assets

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

BPPR

BPNA

$257,910
13,812
–
3,102
295,629
40,930

611,383
225
119,144

$ 2,315
–
1,545
–
9,284
5,956

19,100
18,674
16,356

Popular,
Inc.

$260,225
13,812
1,545
3,102
304,913
46,886

630,483
18,899
135,500

BPPR

BPNA

$186,097
18,108
–
3,495
206,389
33,166

447,255
489
105,206

$ 92,956
5,663
15,050
–
26,292
10,732

150,693
603
30,295

Popular,
Inc.

$279,053
23,771
15,050
3,495
232,681
43,898

597,948
1,092
135,501

$730,752
148,099

$54,130
–

$784,882
148,099

$552,950
197,388

$181,591
–

$734,541
197,388

$878,851

$54,130

$932,981

$750,338

$181,591

$931,929

Accruing loans past-due 90 days or more [4] [5]

$447,990

$

–

$447,990

$418,028

$

–

$418,028

Excluding covered loans: [6]
Non-performing loans to loans held-in-portfolio

Including covered loans:
Non-performing loans to loans held-in-portfolio
Interest lost

3.25%

2.95%

$ 23,413

2.77%

2.55%

$ 29,766

[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA reportable segment.

[2] Non-performing loans held-for-sale consist of $14.0 million in mortgage loans, $309 thousand in commercial loans and $4.5 million in consumer loans at

December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $603 thousand in commercial loans and $489 thousand in mortgage loans).

[3] The amount consists of $18 million in non-performing loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-20 and $130 million in covered OREO at December 31, 2014
(December 31, 2013 - $29 million and $168 million, respectively). It excludes covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 as they are considered to
be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated
cash flow analyses.

[4] The carrying value of loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 that are contractually 90 days or more past due was $516 million at December 31, 2014
(December 31, 2013 - $751 million). This amount is excluded from the above table as the loans’ accretable yield interest recognition is independent from the
underlying contractual loan delinquency status.
It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more
as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These balances include $125 million and $115 million, respectively, of residential
mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

[5]

[6] These asset quality ratios have been adjusted to remove the impact of covered loans. Appropriate adjustments to the numerator and denominator have been
reflected in the calculation of these ratios. Management believes the inclusion of acquired loans in certain asset quality ratios that include non-performing assets,
past due loans or net charge-offs in the numerator and denominator results in distortions of these ratios and they may not be comparable to other periods
presented or to other portfolios that were not impacted by purchase accounting.

60

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

financial

statements pursuant

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more are composed
primarily of credit cards, residential mortgage loans insured by
FHA / VA, and delinquent mortgage loans included in the
Corporation’s
to GNMA’s
buy-back option program. Under the GNMA program, issuers
such as BPPR have the option but not
the obligation to
repurchase loans that are 90 days or more past due. For
accounting purposes, these loans subject to the repurchase
option are required to be reflected on the financial statements
of the issuer with an offsetting liability. As of December 31,
2017, loans past due 90 days or more include approximately
$840 million in loans previously pooled into GNMA securities
with a buy-back option. While the borrowers for our serviced
GNMA portfolio benefited from the loan payment moratorium
as part of the hurricane relief efforts, the delinquency status of
these loans continued to be reported to GNMA without
considering the moratorium. Also, accruing loans past due 90
days or more include residential conventional loans purchased
from other financial institutions that, although delinquent, the
Corporation has received timely payment from the sellers /
servicers, and, in some instances, have partial guarantees under
recourse agreements.

(“CRE”),

The Corporation’s commercial loan portfolio secured by real
amounted to
excluding covered loans,
estate
$7.6 billion at December 31, 2017, of which $2.1 billion was
secured with owner occupied properties, compared with
$7.2 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, at December 31,
2016. CRE non-performing loans, excluding covered loans,
amounted to $124 million at December 31, 2017, compared
with $130 million at December 31, 2016. The CRE
non-performing loans ratios for the BPPR and BPNA segments
were 2.77% and 0.10%, respectively, at December 31, 2017,
compared with 2.83% and 0.07%, respectively, at December 31,
2016.

Loan Delinquencies
Another key measure used to evaluate and monitor the
Corporation’s asset quality is
loan delinquencies. Loans
delinquent 30 days or more and delinquencies, as a percentage
of their related portfolio category at December 31, 2017 and
2016, are presented below.

Table 29 - Loan Delinquencies

(Dollars in thousands)

2017

Commercial
Construction
Legacy
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer
Covered loans
Loans held-for-sale

Total

Loans delinquent
30 days or more

$ 364,679
170
3,747
14,687
1,926,939
156,289
82,764
1,829

$2,551,104

Total loans

$11,488,861
880,029
32,980
809,990
7,270,407
3,810,527
517,274
132,395

$24,942,463

Total
delinquencies as a
percentage of total
loans

Loans delinquent
30 days or more

3.17%
0.02
11.36
1.81
26.50
4.10
16.00
1.38

10.23%

$ 456,318
1,668
4,516
11,037
1,260,403
167,852
110,336
459

$2,012,589

2016

Total loans

$10,798,507
776,300
45,293
702,893
6,696,361
3,754,393
572,878
88,821

$23,435,446

Total
delinquencies as a
percentage of total
loans

4.23%
0.21
9.97
1.57
18.82
4.47
19.26
0.52

8.59%

31,

the

For

year

ended December

total
2017,
non-performing loan inflows, excluding consumer
loans,
decreased by $77 million, or 17%, when compared to the
inflows for the year ended in 2016. Inflows of non-performing
the BPPR segment decreased by
loans held-in-portfolio at
$60 million, or 15%, compared to the inflows for the year
ended 2016, mostly related to lower mortgage inflows of
$59 million,
payment moratorium
implemented after the hurricanes. Under the loan moratorium,

prompted

the

by

although the repayment
schedule was modified, certain
borrowers continued to make payments, having an impact on
the respective delinquency status. Inflows of non-performing
loans held-in-portfolio at
the BPNA segment decreased by
$17 million, or 36%, from the same period in 2016, mostly
driven by lower commercial inflows of $13 million. Refer to
Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for more
information on loan delinquencies.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

61

Table 30 - Activity in Non-Performing Loans Held-in-Portfolio (Excluding Consumer and Covered Loans)

(Dollars in thousands)

Beginning balance
Plus:

New non-performing loans
Advances on existing non-performing loans

Less:

Non-performing loans transferred to OREO
Non-performing loans charged-off
Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections

Ending balance NPLs

For the year ended December 31,
2017
BPNA

Popular, Inc.

BPPR

$ 477,849

$ 18,743

$ 496,592

341,196
–

29,899
785

371,095
785

(40,260)
(89,896)
(220,966)

(46)
(919)
(26,732)

(40,306)
(90,815)
(247,698)

$ 467,923

$ 21,730

$ 489,653

Table 31 - Activity in Non-Performing Loans Held-in-Portfolio (Excluding Consumer and Covered Loans)

(Dollars in thousands)

Beginning balance
Plus:

New non-performing loans
Advances on existing non-performing loans
Reclassification from construction loans to commercial loans

Less:

Non-performing loans transferred to OREO
Non-performing loans charged-off
Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections
Reclassification from construction loans to commercial loans

Ending balance NPLs

For the year ended December 31,
2016
BPNA

Popular, Inc.

BPPR

$ 519,385

$ 21,101

$ 540,486

401,143
–
2,436

47,433
322
–

(50,940)
(89,536)
(302,203)
(2,436)

(1,188)
(3,260)
(45,665)
–

448,576
322
2,436

(52,128)
(92,796)
(347,868)
(2,436)

$ 477,849

$ 18,743

$ 496,592

Table 32 - Activity in Non-Performing Commercial Loans Held-In-Portfolio (Excluding Covered Loans)

For the year ended December 31,
2017

BPPR

BPNA Popular, Inc.

$159,655

$ 3,693

$163,348

78,469
–

8,071
4

(6,282)
(37,380)
(33,236)

–
(117)
(7,812)

86,540
4

(6,282)
(37,497)
(41,048)

$161,226

$ 3,839

$165,065

(In thousands)

Beginning balance - NPLs
Plus:

New non-performing loans
Advances on existing non-performing loans

Less:

Non-performing loans transferred to OREO
Non-performing loans charged-off
Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections

Ending balance - NPLs

62

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Table 33 - Activity in Non-Performing Commercial Loans Held-in-Portfolio (Excluding Covered Loans)

(In thousands)

Beginning balance - NPLs
Plus:

New non-performing loans
Advances on existing non-performing loans
Reclassification from construction loans to commercial loans

Less:

Non-performing loans transferred to OREO
Non-performing loans charged-off
Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections

Ending balance - NPLs

For the year ended December 31,
2016
BPNA

Popular, Inc.

BPPR

$177,902

$ 3,914

$181,816

77,615
–
2,436

20,542
178
–

(6,700)
(41,011)
(50,587)

–
(811)
(20,130)

98,157
178
2,436

(6,700)
(41,822)
(70,717)

$159,655

$ 3,693

$163,348

Table 34 - Activity in Non-Performing Construction Loans Held-In-Portfolio (Excluding Covered Loans)

(In thousands)

Beginning balance - NPLs
Plus:

New non-performing loans

Less:

Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections

Ending balance - NPLs

For the year ended December 31,
2017

BPPR

BPNA Popular, Inc.

$ –

99

(99)

$ –

$–

–

–

$–

$ –

99

(99)

$ –

Table 35 - Activity in Non-Performing Construction Loans Held-in-Portfolio (Excluding Covered Loans)

(In thousands)

Beginning balance - NPLs
Plus:

New non-performing loans

Less:

Non-performing loans transferred to OREO
Non-performing loans charged-off
Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections
Reclassification from construction loans to commercial loans

Ending balance - NPLs

For the year ended December 31,
2016

BPPR

BPNA Popular, Inc.

$ 3,550

$

–

$ 3,550

1,543

671

2,214

(304)
(1,103)
(1,250)
(2,436)

–
–
(671)
–

(304)
(1,103)
(1,921)
(2,436)

$

–

$

–

$

–

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

63

Table 36 - Activity in Non-Performing Mortgage Loans Held-in-Portfolio (Excluding Covered Loans)

(In thousands)

Beginning balance - NPLs
Plus:

New non-performing loans
Advances on existing non-performing loans

Less:

Non-performing loans transferred to OREO
Non-performing loans charged-off
Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections

Ending balance - NPLs

For the year ended December 31,
2017
BPNA

Popular, Inc.

BPPR

$ 318,194

$ 11,713

$ 329,907

262,628
–

21,714
662

284,342
662

(33,978)
(52,516)
(187,631)

(46)
(775)
(18,416)

(34,024)
(53,291)
(206,047)

$ 306,697

$ 14,852

$ 321,549

Table 37 - Activity in Non-Performing Mortgage Loans Held-in-Portfolio (Excluding Covered Loans)

For the year ended December 31,
2016
BPNA

Popular, Inc.

BPPR

$ 337,933

$ 13,538

$ 351,471

321,985

25,002

346,987

(43,936)
(47,422)
(250,366)

(1,144)
(2,160)
(23,523)

(45,080)
(49,582)
(273,889)

$ 318,194

$ 11,713

$ 329,907

unknown, such as economic developments affecting specific
customers, industries or markets. Other factors that can affect
management’s estimates are the years of historical data when
estimating losses, changes in underwriting standards, financial
accounting standards and loan impairment measurements,
among others. Changes in the financial condition of individual
borrowers, in economic conditions, in historical loss experience
and in the condition of the various markets in which collateral
may be sold may all affect the required level of the allowance
for loan losses. Consequently, the business financial condition,
liquidity, capital and results of operations could also be
affected. Refer to the Critical Accounting Policies / Estimates
section of this MD&A for a description of the Corporation’s
allowance for loans losses methodology.

Refer to Table 38 for a summary of the activity in the
allowance for loan losses and selected loan losses statistics for
the past 5 years.

(In thousands)

Beginning balance - NPLs
Plus:

New non-performing loans

Less:

Non-performing loans transferred to OREO
Non-performing loans charged-off
Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections

Ending balance - NPLs

Allowance for Loan Losses
Non-Covered Loan Portfolio
The allowance for loan losses, which represents management’s
estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio,
is
maintained at a sufficient level to provide for estimated credit
losses on individually evaluated loans as well as estimated
credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio.
The Corporation’s management evaluates the adequacy of the
allowance for
In this
evaluation, management considers current economic conditions
and the resulting impact on Popular Inc.’s loan portfolio, the
composition of
and risk
loan type
characteristics, historical
loss experience, results of periodic
credit reviews of individual loans, regulatory requirements and
loan impairment measurement, among other factors.

loan losses on a quarterly basis.

the portfolio by

The Corporation must

rely on estimates and exercise
judgment regarding matters where the ultimate outcome is

64

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Table 38 - Allowance for Loan Losses and Selected Loan Losses Statistics

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at the beginning of year
Provision for loan losses (reversal of

provision) - Continuing operations [4]
Provision for loan losses - Discontinued

operations

Non-covered
loans

2017
Covered
loans

Total

Non-covered
loans

2016
Covered
loans

Total

Non-covered
loans

2015
Covered
loans

Total

$510,301

$30,350

$540,651

$502,935

$34,176

$537,111

$519,719

$ 82,073

$601,792

319,682

5,742

325,424

171,126

(1,110)

170,016

217,458

24,020

241,478

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

829,983

36,092

866,075

674,061

33,066

707,127

737,177

106,093

843,270

Charged-offs:
BPPR

Commercial [4]
Construction
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total BPPR charged-offs

BPNA

Commercial
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total BPNA charged-offs

Popular, Inc.

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total charged-offs

Recoveries:
BPPR

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total BPPR recoveries

BPNA

Commercial
Construction
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total BPNA recoveries

Popular, Inc.

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total recoveries

49,591
3,588
8,407
78,121
109,252
–

248,959

36,399
897
1,223
19,926
–

58,445

85,990
3,588
8,407
897
79,344
129,178
–

307,404

27,196
6,211
1,637
3,177
19,119
–

57,340

2,242
7
2,627
983
4,404
–

10,263

29,438
6,218
1,637
2,627
4,160
23,523
–

67,603

–
–
–
4,049
122
–

4,171

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
4,049
122
–

4,171

–
–
–
1,313
10
–

1,323

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
1,313
10
–

1,323

49,591
3,588
8,407
82,170
109,374
–

253,130

36,399
897
1,223
19,926
–

58,445

85,990
3,588
8,407
897
83,393
129,300
–

311,575

27,196
6,211
1,637
4,490
19,129
–

58,663

2,242
7
2,627
983
4,404
–

62,486
3,103
6,151
68,075
106,304
–

246,119

1,115
535
2,506
13,430
–

17,586

63,601
3,103
6,151
535
70,581
119,734
–

263,705

41,731
5,124
2,263
3,759
29,998
–

82,875

4,428
–
2,448
573
4,176
–

10,263

11,625

29,438
6,218
1,637
2,627
5,473
23,533
–

68,926

46,159
5,124
2,263
2,448
4,332
34,174
–

94,500

–
–
–
3,524
19
–

3,543

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
3,524
19
–

3,543

–
–
–
808
19
–

827

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
808
19
–

827

62,486
3,103
6,151
71,599
106,323
–

249,662

1,115
535
2,506
13,430
–

17,586

63,601
3,103
6,151
535
74,105
119,753
–

267,248

41,731
5,124
2,263
4,567
30,017
–

83,702

4,428
–
2,448
573
4,176
–

105,716
13,628
5,561
53,296
110,384
–

288,585

1,452
2,019
1,670
9,507
–

14,648

107,168
13,628
5,561
2,019
54,966
119,891
–

303,233

31,826
14,514
2,258
2,305
26,508
–

77,411

5,294
–
4,779
391
3,858
–

11,625

14,322

46,159
5,124
2,263
2,448
5,140
34,193
–

95,327

37,120
14,514
2,258
4,779
2,696
30,366
–

91,733

37,936
25,086
–
6,158
853
–

70,033

–
–
–
–
–

–

37,936
25,086
–
–
6,158
853
–

70,033

6,504
4,700
–
930
842
–

12,976

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

6,504
4,700
–
–
930
842
–

143,652
38,714
5,561
59,454
111,237
–

358,618

1,452
2,019
1,670
9,507
–

14,648

145,104
38,714
5,561
2,019
61,124
120,744
–

373,266

38,330
19,214
2,258
3,235
27,350
–

90,387

5,294
–
4,779
391
3,858
–

14,322

43,624
19,214
2,258
4,779
3,626
31,208
–

12,976

104,709

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

65

(Dollars in thousands)

Non-covered
loans

2017
Covered
loans

Total

Non-covered
loans

2016
Covered
loans

Total

Non-covered
loans

2015
Covered
loans

Total

Net loans charged-offs (recoveries):
BPPR

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

22,395
(2,623)
6,770
74,944
90,133
–

Total BPPR net charged-offs

191,619

–
–
–
2,736
112
–

2,848

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
2,736
112
–

2,848

–

–

22,395
(2,623)
6,770
77,680
90,245
–

20,755
(2,021)
3,888
64,316
76,306
–

194,467

163,244

34,157
(7)
(1,730)
240
15,522
–

48,182

56,552
(2,630)
6,770
(1,730)
77,920
105,767
–

242,649

–

–

(3,313)
–
(1,913)
1,933
9,254
–

5,961

17,442
(2,021)
3,888
(1,913)
66,249
85,560
–

169,205

5,445

–

–
–
–
2,716
–
–

2,716

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
2,716
–
–

2,716

–

–

20,755
(2,021)
3,888
67,032
76,306
–

73,890
(886)
3,303
50,991
83,876
–

165,960

211,174

31,432
20,386
–
5,228
11
–

57,057

(3,313)
–
(1,913)
1,933
9,254
–

5,961

17,442
(2,021)
3,888
(1,913)
68,965
85,560
–

171,921

5,445

(3,842)
–
(2,760)
1,279
5,649
–

326

70,048
(886)
3,303
(2,760)
52,270
89,525
–

211,500

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

31,432
20,386
–
–
5,228
11
–

57,057

(35,779)

(1,823)

–

13,037

(13,037)

34,157
(7)
(1,730)
240
15,522
–

48,182

56,552
(2,630)
6,770
(1,730)
75,184
105,655
–

239,801

–

–

105,322
19,500
3,303
56,219
83,887
–

268,231

(3,842)
–
(2,760)
1,279
5,649
–

326

101,480
19,500
3,303
(2,760)
57,498
89,536
–

268,557

(37,602)

–

537,111

118,072

419,039

$

$

$

590,182

$33,244

109,091

$

–

481,091

$33,244

$

$

$

623,426

109,091

514,335

$

$

$

510,301

$30,350

111,377

$

–

398,924

$30,350

$

$

$

540,651

111,377

429,274

$

$

$

502,935

$ 34,176

118,072

$

–

384,863

$ 34,176

$

$

$

$24,292,794
22,909,181

$24,810,068
23,448,298

$22,773,747
22,373,143

$23,346,625
22,980,546

$22,346,115
21,497,403

$22,992,230
22,925,237

2.43%
21.99

1.05

2.46x

1.33
1.40%

2.51%
22.12

2.24%
35.84

2.32%
35.67

2.25%
30.25

1.03

2.57x

1.34
1.39%

0.76

3.02x

1.01
0.76%

0.75

3.14x

0.99
0.74%

0.98

2.38x

1.03
1.01%

107.12

112.47

91.47

96.23

83.57

2.34%
28.05

1.17

2.00x

0.90
1.05%

88.68

BPNA

Commercial
Construction
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total BPNA net charged-offs

Popular, Inc.

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total net loans charged-offs

Net write-downs [2]

Balance transferred from covered

to non-covered loans

Balance at end of year

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Outstanding at year end
Average
Ratios:
Allowance for loan losses to
loans held-in-portfolio
Recoveries to charge-offs
Net charge-offs to average loans

held-in-portfolio

Allowance for loans losses to net

charge-offs

Provision for loan losses to:
Net charge-offs [3]
Average loans held-in-portfolio
Allowance to non-performing
loans held-in-portfolio

[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA segment.

[2] Net write-downs are related to loans sold or transferred to held-for-sale.
[3] Excluding the provision for loans losses and net write-down related to loans sold or reclassified to held-for-sale.
[4] For the year ended December 31, 2017, includes the elimination of an incremental $6.0 million provision for loan losses and corresponding charge-off related to
the inter-company transfer of a loan between BPPR and Popular, Inc., its bank holding company, the impact of which is eliminated in the consolidated results of
the Corporation in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

66

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Table 38 (continued) - Allowance for Loan Losses and Selected Loan Losses Statistics

(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at the beginning of year
Provision for loan losses - Continuing operations
Provision for loan losses (reversal) - Discontinued

operations

Charged-offs:
BPPR

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer

Total BPPR charged-offs
BPNA

Commercial
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total BPNA charged-offs
Popular, Inc.
Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total charged-offs
Recoveries:
BPPR

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer

Total BPPR recoveries
BPNA

Commercial
Construction
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total BPNA recoveries
Popular, Inc.
Recoveries:

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Legacy [1]
Mortgage

Non-covered
loans [4]
$538,463
223,999

2014
Covered
loans
$102,092
46,135

Total [4]
$640,555
270,134

Non-covered
loans [4]
$ 621,701
536,710

2013
Covered
loans
$108,906
69,396

Total [4]
$ 730,607
606,106

(6,764)
755,698

–
148,227

(6,764)
903,925

(3,543)
1,154,868

–
178,302

(3,543)
1,333,170

70,402
1,722
6,028
45,389
122,400
245,941

16,628
8,071
3,517
15,948
4,452
48,616

87,030
1,722
6,028
8,071
48,906
138,348
4,452
294,557

31,020
5,231
2,067
1,389
25,745
65,452

15,523
237
17,141
2,321
3,783
9,997
49,002

46,543
5,468
2,067
17,141
3,710

34,741
36,223
–
9,156
(2,589)
77,531

–
–
–
–
–
–

34,741
36,223
–
–
9,156
(2,589)
–
77,531

1,835
8,537
–
714
291
11,377

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1,835
8,537
–
–
714

105,143
37,945
6,028
54,545
119,811
323,472

16,628
8,071
3,517
15,948
4,452
48,616

121,771
37,945
6,028
8,071
58,062
135,759
4,452
372,088

32,855
13,768
2,067
2,103
26,036
76,829

15,523
237
17,141
2,321
3,783
9,997
49,002

48,378
14,005
2,067
17,141
4,424

112,266
6,757
6,034
49,418
113,616
288,091

26,117
17,423
10,155
21,622
38,957
114,274

138,383
6,757
6,034
17,423
59,573
135,238
38,957
402,365

26,665
15,399
2,528
1,682
38,056
84,330

16,933
–
21,320
2,352
3,618
20,052
64,275

43,598
15,399
2,528
21,320
4,034

28,423
39,729
–
10,679
3,952
82,783

–
–
–
–
–
–

28,423
39,729
–
–
10,679
3,952
–
82,783

816
5,621
–
65
71
6,573

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

816
5,621
–
–
65

140,689
46,486
6,034
60,097
117,568
370,874

26,117
17,423
10,155
21,622
38,957
114,274

166,806
46,486
6,034
17,423
70,252
139,190
38,957
485,148

27,481
21,020
2,528
1,747
38,127
90,903

16,933
–
21,320
2,352
3,618
20,052
64,275

44,414
21,020
2,528
21,320
4,099

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

67

(Dollars in thousands)

Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total recoveries
Net loans charged-offs (recoveries):
BPPR

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer

Total BPPR net loans charged-offs
BPNA

Commercial
Construction
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations

Total BPNA net loans charged-offs (recoveries)
Popular, Inc.
Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Legacy [1]
Mortgage
Consumer
Discontinued operations
Total net loans charged-offs
Net write-downs [2]
Net write-downs related to loans transferred to

discontinued operations

Balance at end of year

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Outstanding at year end
Average
Ratios:
Allowance for loan losses to loans held-in-portfolio
Recoveries to charge-offs
Net charge-offs to average loans held-in-portfolio
Allowance for loans losses to net charge-offs
Provision for loan losses to:
Net charge-offs [3]
Average loans held-in-portfolio
Allowance to non-performing loans

held-in-portfolio

Non-covered
loans [4]

29,528
9,997
114,454

39,382
(3,509)
3,961
44,000
96,655
180,489

1,105
(237)
(9,070)
1,196
12,165
(5,545)
(386)

40,487
(3,746)
3,961
(9,070)
45,196
108,820
(5,545)
180,103
(35,674)

2014
Covered
loans
291
–
11,377

32,906
27,686
–
8,442
(2,880)
66,154

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

32,906
27,686
–
–
8,442
(2,880)
–
66,154
–

(20,202)
519,719

–
$82,073

140,141

$

5

379,578

$82,068

$

$

$

$

$

$

Total [4]

29,819
9,997
125,831

Non-covered
loans [4]

41,674
20,052
148,605

2013
Covered
loans

71
–
6,573

27,607
34,108
–
10,614
3,881
76,210

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

27,607
34,108
–
–
10,614
3,881
–
76,210
–

Total [4]

41,745
20,052
155,178

113,208
25,466
3,506
58,350
79,441
279,971

9,184
–
(3,897)
7,803
18,004
18,905
49,999

122,392
25,466
3,506
(3,897)
66,153
97,445
18,905
329,970
(362,645)

85,601
(8,642)
3,506
47,736
75,560
203,761

9,184
–
(3,897)
7,803
18,004
18,905
49,999

94,785
(8,642)
3,506
(3,897)
55,539
93,564
18,905
253,760
(362,645)

–
538,463

–
$102,092

103,506

$

293

434,957

$101,799

$

$

$

–
640,555

103,799

536,756

$

$

$

72,288
24,177
3,961
52,442
93,775
246,643

1,105
(237)
(9,070)
1,196
12,165
(5,545)
(386)

73,393
23,940
3,961
(9,070)
53,638
105,940
(5,545)
246,257
(35,674)

(20,202)
601,792

140,146

461,646

$19,404,451
19,990,182

$21,947,113
22,760,961

$21,611,866
21,354,143

$24,596,293
24,581,862

2.68%
38.86
0.90
2.89x

1.17
1.05%

82.43

2.74%
33.82
1.08
2.44x

1.04
1.13%

2.49%
36.93
1.19
2.12x

0.85
2.50%

2.60%
31.99
1.34
1.94x

0.86
2.45%

92.82

90.05

103.78

[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financing related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA segment.

[2] Net write-downs are related to loans sold or transferred to held-for-sale.
[3] Excluding the provision for loans losses and net write-down related to loans sold or reclassified to held-for-sale.
[4]

Prior periods provision for loan losses and net charge-offs presented in this table has been retrospectively adjusted for the impact of the discontinued operations for
comparative purposes. Loans (ending and average) balances and credit quality ratios for prior periods included in this table has not been retrospectively adjusted
for the impact of the discontinued operations.

68

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table presents net charge-offs to average loans held-in-portfolio (“HIP”) ratios by loan category for the years

ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

Table 39 - Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans HIP (Non-covered loans)

Commercial
Construction
Leasing
Legacy
Mortgage
Consumer

Total

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

BPPR BPNA Popular Inc.

BPPR BPNA Popular Inc.

BPPR BPNA Popular Inc.

0.31% 0.88%
(2.88)
0.91
–
1.30
2.77

–
–
(4.30)
0.03
3.17

1.13% 0.82%

0.51%
(0.32)
0.91
(4.30)
1.15
2.82

1.05%

0.28
(1.98)
0.59
–
1.09
2.31

(0.11)%
–
–
(3.67)
0.23
1.74

0.95% 0.12%

0.17%
(0.28)
0.59
(3.67)
0.98
2.23

0.76%

1.05
(0.76)
0.56
–
0.85
2.49

(0.16)%
–
–
(3.79)
0.13
1.21

1.24% 0.01%

0.74%
(0.14)
0.56
(3.79)
0.75
2.34

0.98%

Net charge-offs, excluding covered loans, for the year ended
December 31, 2017,
increased by $70.6 million, when
compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, and by
$28.3 million, when compared to the year ended December 31,

2015. Increase from 2016 was mainly driven higher U.S.
commercial net charge-offs of $37 million, mainly related to the
U.S. taxi medallion portfolio.

Table 40 - Composition of ALLL

December 31, 2017

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial Construction Legacy [2] Leasing Mortgage

Consumer

Total [3]

Specific ALLL
Impaired loans [1]
Specific ALLL to impaired loans [1]

General ALLL
Loans held-in-portfolio, excluding impaired

$
$

$

36,982
323,455

11.43%

$
$

–
–
–%

178,683

$ 8,362

$
$

$

–
–
–%

$
475
$ 1,456

$
48,832
$ 518,275

$
22,802
$ 104,237

32.62%

9.42%

21.88%

798

$ 11,516

$ 114,790

$ 166,942

$
$

$

109,091
947,423

11.51%

481,091

loans [1]

$11,165,406

$880,029

$32,980

$808,534

$6,752,132

$3,706,290

$23,345,371

General ALLL to loans held-in-portfolio,

excluding impaired loans [1]

Total ALLL
Total non-covered loans
held-in-portfolio [1]

1.60%

0.95%

2.42%

1.42%

1.70%

4.50%

2.06%

$

215,665

$ 8,362

$

798

$ 11,991

$ 163,622

$ 189,744

$

590,182

$11,488,861

$880,029

$32,980

$809,990

$7,270,407

$3,810,527

$24,292,794

ALLL to loans held-in-portfolio [1]

1.88%

0.95%

2.42%

1.48%

2.25%

4.98%

2.43%

[1] Excludes covered loans acquired on the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction.
[2] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA segment.

[3] Excludes covered loans acquired on the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction. At December 31, 2017, the general allowance on the covered loans amounted to

$33.2 million.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

69

Table 41 - Composition of ALLL

December 31, 2016

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial Construction Legacy [2] Leasing Mortgage

Consumer

Total [3]

Specific ALLL
Impaired loans [1]
Specific ALLL to impaired loans [1]

General ALLL
Loans held-in-portfolio, excluding impaired

$
$

$

42,375
338,422

12.52%

$
$

$
$

–
–
–%

–
–
–%

$
535
$ 1,817

$
44,610
$ 506,364

$
23,857
$ 109,454

29.44%

8.81%

21.80%

160,279

$ 9,525

$ 1,343

$ 7,127

$ 103,324

$ 117,326

$
$

$

111,377
956,057

11.65%

398,924

loans [1]

$10,460,085

$776,300

$45,293

$701,076

$6,189,997

$3,644,939

$21,817,690

General ALLL to loans held-in-portfolio,

excluding impaired loans [1]

Total ALLL
Total non-covered loans held-in-

portfolio [1]

1.53 %

1.23%

2.97%

1.02%

1.67%

3.22%

1.83%

$

202,654

$ 9,525

$ 1,343

$ 7,662

$ 147,934

$ 141,183

$

510,301

$10,798,507

$776,300

$45,293

$702,893

$6,696,361

$3,754,393

$22,773,747

ALLL to loans held-in-portfolio [1]

1.88%

1.23%

2.97%

1.09%

2.21%

3.76%

2.24%

[1] Excludes covered loans acquired on the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction.
[2] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA segment.

[3] Excludes covered loans acquired on the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction. At December 31, 2016, the general allowance on the covered loans amounted to

$30.4 million.

Table 42 - Composition of ALLL

December 31, 2015

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial Construction Legacy [2] Leasing Mortgage

Consumer

Total [3]

Specific ALLL
Impaired loans [1]
Specific ALLL to impaired loans [1]

General ALLL
Loans held-in-portfolio, excluding impaired

$
$

$

49,243
337,133

$
264
$ 2,481

14.61%

10.64%

$
$

–
–
–%

$
573
$ 2,404

$
44,029
$ 471,932

$
23,963
$ 111,836

23.84%

9.33%

21.43%

147,590

$ 8,605

$ 2,687

$ 10,420

$

89,283

$ 126,278

$
$

$

118,072
925,786

12.75%

384,863

loans [1]

$ 9,762,030

$678,625

$64,436

$625,246

$6,564,149

$3,725,843

$21,420,329

General ALLL to loans held-in-portfolio,

excluding impaired loans [1]

Total ALLL
Total non-covered loans held-in-

portfolio [1]

1.51%

1.27%

4.17%

1.67%

1.36%

3.39%

1.80%

$

196,833

$ 8,869

$ 2,687

$ 10,993

$ 133,312

$ 150,241

$

502,935

$10,099,163

$681,106

$64,436

$627,650

$7,036,081

$3,837,679

$22,346,115

ALLL to loans held-in-portfolio [1]

1.95%

1.30%

4.17%

1.75%

1.89%

3.91%

2.25%

[1] Excludes covered loans acquired on the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction.
[2] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA segment.

[3] Excludes covered loans acquired on the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction. At December 31, 2015, the general allowance on the covered loans amounted to

$34.2 million.

70

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Table 43 details the breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by loan categories. The breakdown is made for analytical

purposes, and it is not necessarily indicative of the categories in which future loan losses may occur.

Table 43 - Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

2017

2016

At December 31,
2015

2014

2013

% of loans
in each
category to
total loans ALLL

% of loans
in each
category to
total loans ALLL

% of loans
in each
category to
total loans ALLL

% of loans
in each
category to
total loans ALLL

% of loans
in each
category to
total loans

47.3% $202.7
9.5
3.6
1.3
0.2
7.7
3.3
147.9
29.9
141.2
15.7

47.4% $196.8
8.9
3.4
2.7
0.2
11.0
3.1
133.3
29.4
150.2
16.5

45.2% $211.2
6.7
3.0
3.0
0.3
7.1
2.8
123.3
31.5
168.4
17.2

41.9% $175.0
5.3
1.3
13.7
0.4
10.6
2.9
156.9
33.5
176.9
20.0

46.4%
1.0
1.0
2.5
30.9
18.2

100.0% $510.3

100.0% $502.9

100.0% $519.7

100.0% $538.4

100.0%

(Dollars in millions)

Commercial
Construction
Legacy
Leasing
Mortgage
Consumer

Total [1]

ALLL

$215.7
8.4
0.8
12.0
163.6
189.7

$590.2

[1] Note: For purposes of this table the term loans refers to loans held-in-portfolio excluding covered loans and held-for-sale.

Non-covered loans portfolio
At December 31, 2017, the allowance for loan losses, increased
by $80 million when compared with December 31, 2016,
mostly driven by an increase in the Puerto Rico segment of
$50 million.

At December 31, 2017, the allowance for loan losses at the
BPPR segment increased by $50 million to $518 million, or
2.87% of non-covered loans held-in-portfolio, compared with
$468 million, or 2.73% of non-covered loans held-in-portfolio,
at December 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses was
$470 million, or 2.67% of non-covered loans held-in-portfolio,
the
at December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2017,
Corporation had made a provision charge of $61.8 million to
increase the environmental factors reserve to $117.6 million,
for non-covered loans, based on management’s best estimate of
the impact of the hurricanes on the ability of the borrowers to
repay their loans. Management will continue to carefully assess
and review the exposure of the portfolios to hurricane-related
factors, economic trends and their effect on credit quality. The
Corporation may adjust these estimates as more information
becomes available. This increase was offset by a $6.5 million net
decrease resulting from the annual review of the components of
the ALLL models. The ratio of the allowance to non-performing
loans held-in-portfolio was 101.30% at December 31, 2017,
compared with 87.88% at December 31, 2016 and 81.75% at
December 31, 2015.

loan losses at

The allowance for

the BPNA segment
increased by $30 million to $72 million, or 1.16% of loans
held-in-portfolio, compared with $42 million, or 0.75% of loans
held-in-portfolio, at December 31, 2016, and $33 million, or
0.69% of loans held-in-portfolio, at December 31, 2015, driven
by higher reserves for the U.S. taxi medallion portfolio. Total
to
taxi medallion charge-offs

amounted

during

2017

$36.1 million. The U.S. operation continued to reflect positive
results with strong growth and favorable credit quality metrics,
once the impact of the taxi medallion portfolio acquired from
the FDIC in the assisted sale of Doral Bank is excluded. The
effect of the annual review of the allowance methodology was a
decrease of $1.9 million for the BPNA segment. The ratio of the
the
allowance to non-performing loans held-in-portfolio at
BPNA segment was 182.40% at December 31, 2017, compared
with 166.56% at December 31, 2016 and 123.43% at
December 31, 2015.

Covered loans portfolio
The Corporation’s allowance for loan losses for the covered
loan portfolio acquired in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted
transaction amounted to $33 million at December 31, 2017,
compared to $30 million at December 31, 2016. This increase
was mainly due to a $5.8 million provision related to
adjustments to the estimated cash flows of purchased credit
impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-10 to reflect the
payment moratorium offered to certain eligible borrowers on
the previous quarter.

Decreases in expected cash flows after the acquisition date
for loans (pools) accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are
recognized by recording an allowance for loan losses in the
current period. For purposes of loans accounted for under ASC
Subtopic 310-20 and new loans originated as a result of loan
commitments assumed, the Corporation’s assessment of the
allowance for loan losses is determined in accordance with the
accounting guidance of loss contingencies in ASC Subtopic
450-20 (general
and loan
impairment guidance in ASC Section 310-10-35 for loans
the
individually evaluated for
Corporation records an increase in the FDIC loss share asset for

impairment. Concurrently,

inherent

reserve

losses)

for

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

71

the expected reimbursement from the FDIC under the loss
sharing agreements.

Troubled debt restructurings
The Corporation’s TDR loans, excluding covered loans,
amounted to $1.3 billion at December 2017,
increasing by
$12 million, or approximately 1%, from December 31, 2016.
TDRs in accruing status increased by $36 million from
December 31, 2016, due to sustained borrower performance,
while non-accruing TDRs decreased by $24 million.

Refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for
additional information on modifications considered troubled
debt
and
quantitative data about troubled debt restructurings performed
in the past twelve months.

restructurings,

qualitative

including

certain

The tables that follow present the approximate amount and
impaired loans for
percentage of non-covered commercial
which the Corporation relied on appraisals dated more than
one year old for purposes of
impairment requirements at
December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Table 44 - Non-Covered Impaired Loans With Appraisals Dated 1 Year Or Older

(In thousands)

Commercial

[1]

Based on outstanding balance of total impaired loans.

December 31, 2017

Total Impaired Loans – Held-in-portfolio (HIP)

Count

112

Outstanding Principal
Balance

Impaired Loans with
Appraisals Over One-
Year Old [1]

$267,302

30%

Table 45 - Non-Covered Impaired Loans With Appraisals Dated 1 Year Or Older

(In thousands)

Commercial

[1]

Based on outstanding balance of total impaired loans.

December 31, 2016

Total Impaired Loans – Held-in-portfolio (HIP)

Count

118

Outstanding Principal
Balance

Impaired Loans with
Appraisals Over One-
Year Old [1]

$283,782

8%

is

for

as well

overseeing

responsible

Enterprise Risk and Operational Risk Management
The Financial and Operational Risk Management Division (the
“FORM Division”)
the
implementation of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
framework,
as developing and overseeing the
implementation of risk programs and reporting that facilitate a
broad integrated view of risks. The FORM Division also leads
the ongoing development of a strong risk management culture
and the framework that support effective risk governance. For
the Corporate Compliance
new products and initiatives,
Division has put
to ensure that an
in place processes
appropriate standard readiness assessment is performed before
launching a new product or initiative. Similar procedures are
followed with the Treasury Division for transactions involving
the purchase and sale of assets.

Operational

risk can manifest

in various ways,
including errors, fraud, cyber attacks, business interruptions,
inappropriate behavior of employees, and failure to perform in
a timely manner, among others. These events can potentially

itself

72

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

result in financial losses and other damages to the Corporation,
including reputational harm. The successful management of
operational
to a diversified
financial services company like Popular because of the nature,
volume and complexity of its various businesses.

risk is particularly important

senior

To monitor and control operational risk and mitigate related
losses, the Corporation maintains a system of comprehensive
policies and controls. The Corporation’s Operational Risk
Committee (ORCO), which is composed of
level
representatives from the business lines and corporate functions,
provides executive oversight to facilitate consistency of effective
policies, best practices, controls and monitoring tools for
managing and assessing all types of operational risks across the
Corporation. The FORM Division, within the Corporation’s
Risk Management Group, serves as ORCO’s operating arm and
is responsible for establishing baseline processes to measure,
monitor, limit and manage operational risk. In addition, the
Auditing Division provides oversight about policy compliance
and ensures adequate attention is paid to correct the identified
issues.

segment

Operational risks fall into two major categories: business
specific and corporate-wide affecting all business lines. The
primary responsibility for
the day-to-day management of
business specific risks relies on business unit managers.
Accordingly, business unit managers are responsible for
ensuring that appropriate risk containment measures, including
specific policies and
corporate-wide or business
procedures, controls and monitoring tools, are in place to
minimize risk occurrence and loss exposures. Examples of
these
data
personnel management
reconciliation processes, transaction processing monitoring and
analysis and contingency plans for systems interruptions. To
manage corporate-wide risks, specialized functions, such as
Legal,
and
Outsourcing Risk Management, and Finance and Compliance,
among others, assist the business units in the development and
implementation of risk management practices specific to the
needs of the individual businesses.

Business Continuity

Information

practices,

Security,

include

Operational risk management plays a different role in each
category. For business specific risks, the FORM Division works
with the segments to ensure consistency in policies, processes,
and assessments. With respect to corporate-wide risks, such as
information security, business continuity and outsourcing risk
management, legal and compliance, the risks are assessed and a
consolidated corporate view is developed and communicated to
the business level. Procedures exist that are designed to ensure
that policies relating to conduct, ethics, and business practices
are followed. We continually monitor the system of internal
controls, data processing systems, and corporate-wide processes
and procedures to manage operational risk at appropriate, cost-
level of review is applied to
effective levels. An additional

current and potential regulation and its impact on business
processes, to ensure that appropriate controls are put in place
to address regulation requirements. Today’s threats to customer
information and information systems are complex, more wide
spread, continually emerging, and increasing at a rapid pace.
The Corporation continuously monitors these threats and, to
date, we have not experienced any material losses as a result of
cyber attacks.

ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND
ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTING
STANDARDS
Refer to Note 4, “New Accounting Pronouncements” to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.

prepares

its Consolidated

Adjusted net income – Non-GAAP Financial Measure
The Corporation
Financial
Statements using accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States (“U.S. GAAP” or the “reported basis”). In
addition to analyzing the Corporation’s results on a reported
basis, management monitors the “adjusted net income” of the
Corporation and excludes the impact of certain transactions on
the results of
income is a
its operations. Adjusted net
non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that the
information to
income provides meaningful
adjusted net
the
of
underlying
investors
Corporation’s ongoing operations.

performance

about

the

Tables 46, 47 and 48 present a reconciliation of reported
ended
income

years

the

for

results
to Adjusted net
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Table 46 - Adjusted Net Income for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

U.S. GAAP Net income
Non-GAAP Adjustments:
Impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act [1]

Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

Pre-tax

Income tax
effect

Impact on net
income

–

168,358

$107,681

168,358

$276,039

[1] On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Act”) was signed into law by the President of the United States. The Act, among other things, reduced the
maximum federal Corporate Tax rate from 35% to 21%. The adjustments reduced the DTA related to the Corporation’s U.S. operations as a result of lower
realizable benefit at the lower tax rate.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

73

Table 47 - Adjusted Net Income for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

U.S. GAAP Net income
Non-GAAP Adjustments:
Impact of EVERTEC restatement [1]
Bulk sale of WB loans and OREO [2]
FDIC arbitration award [3]
Goodwill impairment charge [5]
Other FDIC - LSA adjustments [6]
Income from discontinued operations [7]

Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

Pre-tax

Income tax
effect

Impact on net
income

2,173
(891)
171,757
3,801
8,806
(2,015)

–
347 [4]
(41,108) [4]
–
(2,380) [4]
880

$216,691

2,173
(544)
130,649
3,801
6,426
(1,135)

$358,061

[1] Represents Popular Inc.’s proportionate share of the cumulative impact of EVERTEC restatement and other corrective adjustments to its financial statements, as
disclosed in EVERTEC’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10K. Due to the preferential tax rate on the income from EVERTEC, the tax effect of this transaction was
insignificant to the Corporation.

[2] Represents the impact of the bulk sale of Westernbank loans and OREO. Gains and losses related to assets acquired from Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted

transaction are subject to the capital gains tax rate of 20%.

[3] Represents the arbitration decision denying BPPR’s request for reimbursement in certain shared loss claims. Gains and losses related to assets acquired from

Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted transaction are subject to the capital gains tax rate of 20%.

[4] Gains and losses related to assets acquired from Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted transaction are subject to the capital gains tax rate of 20%. Other items

related to the FDIC loss-sharing agreements are subject to the statutory tax rate of 39%.

[5] Represents goodwill impairment charge in the Corporation’s securities subsidiary. The securities subsidiary is a limited liability company with a partnership
election. Accordingly, its earnings flow through Popular, Inc., holding company, for income tax purposes. Since Popular, Inc. has a full valuation allowance on its
deferred tax assets, this results in an effective tax rate of 0%.

[6] Additional adjustments, including prior period recoveries, related to restructured commercial loans to reduce the indemnification asset to its expected realizable

value.

[7] Represents income from discontinued operations associated with the BPNA reorganization.

Table 48 - Adjusted Net Income for the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (Non-GAAP)

(In thousands)

U.S. GAAP Net income
Non-GAAP Adjustments:
BPNA reorganization [1]
Doral Transaction [2]
OTTI [3]
Reversal DTA - PNA [4]
Loss on bulk sale of covered OREOs [5]
Adjustment to FDIC indemnification asset [6]
MSR’s acquired [7]
Impairment of loans under proposed portfolio sale [8]
Bulk sale [9]

Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

Pre-tax

Income tax
effect

Impact on net
income

17,065
25,576
14,445
–
4,391
10,887
(4,378)
15,190
5,852

–
(7,690)
(2,486)
(589,030)
(1,712)
(2,177)
1,707
(5,924)
(2,282)

$ 895,344

17,065
17,886
11,959
(589,030)
2,679
8,710
(2,671)
9,266
3,570

$ 374,778

[2]

[1] Represents restructuring charges associated with the reorganization of BPNA. The impact of the partial reversal of the valuation allowance of the deferred tax asset
at BPNA corresponding to the income for the year 2015 was reflected in the effective tax rate, effectively reducing the income tax expense by the benefit of such
reversal.
Includes approximately $0.8 million of fees charged for loan servicing cost to the FDIC, $2.1 million of fees charged for services provided to the alliance
co-bidders, personnel costs related to former Doral Bank employees retained on a temporary basis and incentive compensation for an aggregate of $7.1 million,
building rent expense of Doral Bank’s administrative offices for $4.1 million, professional fees and business promotion expenses directly associated with the Doral
Bank Transaction and systems conversion for $16.0 million and other expenses, including equipment, business promotions and communications, of $1.3 million.
Includes items corresponding to BPPR, which were taxed at 39% and items corresponding to BPNA, which had an effective tax rate of 0% due to the impact of the
partial reversal of the valuation allowance, mentioned above.

[3] Represents an other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) recorded on Puerto Rico government investment securities available- for- sale. These securities had an
amortized cost of approximately $41.1 million and a market value of $26.6 million. Based on the fiscal and economic situation in Puerto Rico, together with the
government’s announcements regarding its ability to pay its debt, Popular determined that the unrealized loss, a portion of which had been in an unrealized loss
for a period exceeding twelve months, was other than temporary. The tax effect of this impairment is reflected at the capital gains rate of 20%, except for entities
which had a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax asset.

[4] Represents the partial reversal of the valuation allowance of a portion of the deferred tax asset amounting to approximately $1.2 billion, at the U.S. operations.
[5] Represents the loss on a bulk sale of covered OREOs completed in the second quarter and the related mirror accounting of the 80% reimbursable from the FDIC.

74

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

[6] The negative amortization of the FDIC’s Indemnification Asset included a $10.9 million expense related to losses incurred by the corporation that were not
claimed to the FDIC before the expiration of the loss-share portion of the agreement on June 30, 2015, and that are not subject to the ongoing arbitrations. Gains
and losses related to assets acquired from Westernbank as part of the FDIC assisted transaction are subject to the capital gains tax rate of 20%.

[7] Represents the fair value of mortgage servicing rights acquired for a portfolio previously serviced by Doral Bank, for which Popular acted as a backup servicer,

under a pre-existing contract.

[8] Represents impairment based on the estimated fair value of loans acquired from Westernbank, that Popular has the intent to sell and were subject to the ongoing

arbitration with the FDIC.

[9] Represents the impact of a bulk sale of loans at the BPPR segment, which had a book value of approximately $34.4 million.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

75

Statistical Summary 2013-2017
Statements of Financial Condition

(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash and due from banks
Money market investments:

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements

to resell

Time deposits with other banks
Total money market investments
Trading account securities, at fair value
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value
Investment securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
Other investment securities, at lower of cost or realizable value
Loans held-for-sale, at lower of cost or fair value
Loans held-in-portfolio:

Loans not covered under loss-sharing agreements with the

FDIC

Loans covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC
Less – Unearned income

Allowance for loan losses
Total loans held-in-portfolio, net

FDIC loss-share asset
Premises and equipment, net
Other real estate not covered under loss-sharing agreements with

the FDIC

Other real estate covered under loss-sharing agreements with the

FDIC

Accrued income receivable
Mortgage servicing assets, at fair value
Other assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:

Deposits:

Non-interest bearing
Interest bearing
Total deposits

Federal funds purchased and assets sold under agreements to

repurchase

Other short-term borrowings
Notes payable
Other liabilities
Liabilities from discontinued operations

Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock
Surplus
Retained earnings
Treasury stock – at cost
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Total stockholders’ equity

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

76

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

2017

2016

At December 31,
2015

2014

2013

$

402,857

$

362,394

$

363,674

$

381,095

$

423,211

–
5,255,119
5,255,119
43,187
10,178,738
93,821
167,225
132,395

24,423,427
517,274
130,633
623,426
24,186,642
45,192
547,142

23,637
2,866,580
2,890,217
59,805
8,209,806
98,101
167,818
88,821

96,338
2,083,754
2,180,092
71,659
6,062,992
100,903
172,248
137,000

151,134
1,671,252
1,822,386
138,527
5,315,159
103,170
161,906
106,104

181,020
677,433
858,453
339,743
5,294,800
140,496
181,752
110,426

22,895,172
572,878
121,425
540,651
22,805,974
69,334
543,981

22,453,813
646,115
107,698
537,111
22,455,119
310,221
502,611

19,498,286
2,542,662
93,835
601,792
21,345,321
542,454
494,581

21,704,010
2,984,427
92,144
640,555
23,955,738
948,608
519,516

169,260

180,445

155,231

135,500

135,501

19,595
213,844
168,031
1,991,323
627,294
35,672
$44,277,337

32,128
138,042
196,889
2,145,510
627,294
40,050
$38,661,609

36,685
124,234
211,405
2,193,162
626,388
58,109
$35,761,733

130,266
121,818
148,694
1,636,519
465,676
37,595
$33,086,771

168,007
131,536
161,099
1,686,977
647,757
45,132
$35,748,752

$ 8,490,945
26,962,563
35,453,508

$ 6,980,443
23,515,781
30,496,224

$ 6,401,515
20,808,208
27,209,723

$ 5,783,748
19,023,787
24,807,535

$ 5,922,682
20,788,463
26,711,145

390,921
96,208
1,536,356
1,696,439
–
39,173,432

479,425
1,200
1,574,852
911,951
–
33,463,652

762,145
1,200
1,662,508
1,019,018
1,815
30,656,409

1,271,657
21,200
1,701,904
1,012,029
5,064
28,819,389

1,659,292
401,200
1,584,173
766,792
–
31,122,602

50,160
1,042
4,298,503
1,194,994
(90,142)
(350,652)
5,103,905
$44,277,337

50,160
1,040
4,255,022
1,220,307
(8,286)
(320,286)
5,197,957
$38,661,609

50,160
1,038
4,229,156
1,087,957
(6,101)
(256,886)
5,105,324
$35,761,733

50,160
1,036
4,196,458
253,717
(4,117)
(229,872)
4,267,382
$33,086,771

50,160
1,034
4,170,152
594,430
(881)
(188,745)
4,626,150
$35,748,752

Statistical Summary 2013-2017
Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

Interest income:
Loans
Money market investments
Investment securities
Trading account securities

Total interest income
Less - Interest expense

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses - non-covered loans
Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered loans

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

Mortgage banking activities
Net gain (loss) and valuation adjustments on investment securities
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment securities
Trading account (loss) profit
Net (loss) gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans

held-for-sale

Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves
FDIC loss-share (expense) income
Other non-interest income

Total non-interest income

Operating expenses:
Personnel costs
All other operating expenses

Total operating expenses

2017

For the years ended December 31,
2014
2015
2016

$1,478,765
51,495
191,197
4,487

$1,459,720
16,428
152,011
6,414

$1,458,706
7,243
126,064
11,001

1,725,944
223,980

1,501,964
319,682
5,742

1,634,573
212,518

1,422,055
171,126
(1,110)

1,603,014
194,031

1,408,983
217,458
24,020

1,176,540

1,252,039

1,167,505

25,496
334
(8,299)
(817)

(420)
(22,377)
(10,066)
435,316

419,167

56,538
1,962
(209)
(785)

8,245
(17,285)
(207,779)
457,249

297,936

81,802
141
(14,445)
(4,723)

542
(18,628)
20,062
454,790

519,541

$1,478,750
4,224
132,631
17,938

1,633,543
688,471

945,072
223,999
46,135

674,938

30,615
(870)
–
4,358

40,591
(40,629)
(103,024)
455,474

386,515

2013

$1,481,096
3,464
141,807
21,573

1,647,940
303,366

1,344,574
536,710
69,396

738,468

71,657
7,966
–
(13,483)

(52,708)
(37,054)
(82,051)
896,686

791,013

484,230
772,966

487,476
768,159

477,519
810,702

418,679
775,005

428,697
793,293

1,257,196

1,255,635

1,288,221

1,193,684

1,221,990

Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income tax
Income tax expense (benefit)

338,511
230,830

294,340
78,784

398,825
(495,172)

(132,231)
58,279

307,491
(251,327)

Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax

$ 107,681
–

$ 215,556
1,135

$ 893,997
1,347

$ (190,510) $ 558,818
40,509

(122,980)

Net Income (Loss)

$ 107,681

$ 216,691

$ 895,344

$ (313,490) $ 599,327

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Stock

$ 103,958

$ 212,968

$ 891,621

$ (317,213) $ 595,604

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

77

Statistical Summary 2013-2017
Average Balance Sheet and Summary of Net Interest Income
On a Taxable Equivalent Basis*

(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Interest earning assets:
Money market investments
U.S. Treasury securities
Obligations of U.S. Government

sponsored entities

Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and

political subdivisions

Collateralized mortgage obligations
and mortgage-backed securities

Other

Total investment securities

Trading account securities
Loans
WB loans

Total loans (net of unearned

income)

Total interest earning assets/

Interest income

Total non-interest earning assets
Total assets from continuing

operations

Total assets from discontinued

operations

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Interest bearing liabilities:
Savings, NOW, money market and
other interest bearing demand
accounts
Time deposits
Short-term borrowings
Notes payable

Total interest bearing liabilities/

Interest expense

Total non-interest bearing liabilities
Total liabilities from continuing

operations

Total liabilities from discontinued

operations
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’

equity

Net interest income on a taxable

equivalent basis

Cost of funding earning assets
Net interest margin
Effect of the taxable equivalent

adjustment

Net interest income per books

2017

2016

2015

Average
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

Average
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

Average
Balance

Interest

Average
Rate

$ 4,480,651 $
2,969,635

51,496 1.15% $ 3,103,390 $
49,916 1.68

1,567,364

16,428 0.53% $ 2,382,045 $
21,835 1.39

921,249

7,243 0.30%
13,559 1.47

667,140

13,593 2.04

810,568

15,743 1.94

1,278,469

21,962 1.72

111,455

7,409 6.65

127,694

8,496 6.65

159,110

11,776 7.40

5,667,586
178,110
9,593,926
82,673

182,485 3.22
9,065 5.09
262,468 2.74
5,953 7.20
21,787,574 1,367,059 6.27
148,033 8.59
1,723,719

4,735,418
181,255
7,422,299
125,231

147,097 3.11
8,784 4.85
201,955 2.72
8,243 6.58
21,113,219 1,320,432 6.25
175,207 8.99
1,949,023

3,275,702
179,928
5,814,458
209,270

105,562 3.22
9,761 5.42
162,620 2.80
13,064 6.24
20,712,524 1,294,714 6.25
208,779 8.95
2,332,784

23,511,293 1,515,092 6.44

23,062,242 1,495,639 6.49

23,045,308 1,503,493 6.52

$37,668,543 $1,835,009 4.87% $33,713,162 $1,722,265 5.11% $31,451,081 $1,686,420 5.36%

3,735,596

$41,404,139

–
$41,404,139

3,900,580

$37,613,742

–
$37,613,742

–

–

3,735,224

$35,186,305

–
$35,186,305

–

–

–

–

$18,218,583 $
7,625,484
452,205
1,548,635

57,714 0.32% $14,548,307 $
84,150 1.10
5,725 1.27
76,392 4.93

7,910,063
763,496
1,575,903

45,550 0.31% $12,474,170 $
82,027 1.04
7,812 1.02
77,129 4.89

8,157,908
1,028,406
1,728,928

35,272 0.28%
72,261 0.89
7,512 0.73
78,986 4.57

223,981 0.80

–

–

27,844,907
8,214,703

36,059,610

–
36,059,610
5,344,529

212,518 0.86

–

–

24,797,769
7,535,742

32,333,511

1,754
32,335,265
5,278,477

194,031 0.83

–

–

23,389,412
7,089,940

30,479,352

2,091
30,481,443
4,704,862

$41,404,139

$37,613,742

$35,186,305

$1,611,028

$1,509,747

$1,492,389

0.59%
4.28%

0.63%
4.48%

0.62%
4.74%

109,065
$1,501,963

87,692
$1,422,055

83,406
$1,408,983

*

Shows the effect of the tax exempt status of some loans and investments on their yield, using the applicable statutory income tax rates. The computation considers
the interest expense disallowance required by the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code. This adjustment is shown in order to compare the yields of the tax exempt
and taxable assets on a taxable basis.

Note: Average loan balances include the average balance of non-accruing loans. No interest income is recognized for these loans in accordance with the Corporation’s

policy.

78

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Statistical Summary 2013-2017
Average Balance Sheet and Summary of Net Interest Income

On a Taxable Equivalent Basis

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets
Interest earning assets:
Money market investments

U.S. Treasury securities
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political

subdivisions

Collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed

securities

Other

Total investment securities

Trading account securities

Loans
WB loans

Total loans (net of unearned income)

Average
Balance

2014

Interest

Average
Rate

Average
Balance

2013

Interest

Average
Rate

$

1,305,326

$

264,393
2,006,170

4,224

4,730
31,913

0.32% $

1,036,495

$

3,464

0.33%

1.79
1.59

37,429
1,273,766

1,505
28,926

4.02
2.27

188,125

13,450

7.15

172,403

12,295

7.13

3,231,806
195,139

5,885,633

339,563

19,595,972
2,770,779

22,366,751

101,650
10,265

162,008

20,914

1,239,469
293,610

1,533,079

3.15
5.26

2.75

6.16

6.33
10.60

6.85

3,758,610
245,980

5,488,188

416,538

19,572,159
3,227,719

22,799,878

106,377
12,765

161,868

26,026

1,218,349
300,745

1,519,094

2.83
5.19

2.95

6.25

6.22
9.32

6.66

Total interest earning assets/Interest income

$ 29,897,273

$ 1,720,225

5.75% $ 29,741,099

$ 1,710,452

5.75%

Total non-interest earning assets

Total assets from continuing operations

Total assets from discontinued operations

Total assets

3,758,897

$ 33,656,170

1,525,687

$ 35,181,857

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Interest bearing liabilities:
Savings, NOW, money market and other interest bearing

demand accounts

Time deposits
Short-term borrowings
Notes payable

Total interest bearing liabilities/Interest expense

Total non-interest bearing liabilities

Total liabilities from continuing operations

Total liabilities from discontinued operations

Total liabilities

Stockholders’ equity

$

$ 11,557,597
7,556,109
1,886,662
1,627,541

22,627,909

6,409,810

29,037,719

1,588,386

30,626,105

4,555,752

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 35,181,857

4,362,183

$ 34,103,282

–

–

2,163,711

–

–

$ 36,266,993

30,187
74,900
67,376
516,008

688,471

$

0.26% $ 11,243,095
7,956,922
0.99
2,571,875
3.57
1,719,985
31.70

3.04

–

–

23,491,877

6,390,174

29,882,051

2,208,593

32,090,644

4,176,349

$ 36,266,993

31,080
93,777
38,430
140,079

303,366

0.28%
1.18
1.49
8.14

1.29

–

–

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis

$ 1,031,754

$ 1,407,086

Cost of funding earning assets

Net interest margin

Effect of the taxable equivalent adjustment

Net interest income per books

2.30%

3.45%

1.02%

4.73%

86,682

$

945,072

62,512

$ 1,344,574

*

Shows the effect of the tax exempt status of loans and investments on their yield, using the applicable statutory income tax rates. The computation considers the
interest expense disallowance required by the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code. This adjustment is shown in order to compare the yield of the tax exempt and
taxable assets on a taxable basis.

Note: Average loan balances include the average balance of non-accruing loans. No interest income is recognized for these loans in accordance with the Corporation’s

policy.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

79

Statistical Summary 2016-2017
Quarterly Financial Data

(In thousands, except per common share information)

Fourth
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Second
Quarter

First
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Second
Quarter

First
Quarter

2017

2016

Summary of Operations
Interest income
Interest expense

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses - non-covered loans
Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered loans
Mortgage banking activities
Net gain and valuation adjustments on investment

securities

Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment

securities

Trading account (loss) profit
Net (loss) gain on sale of loans, including valuation

adjustments on loans held-for-sale

Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans

sold

FDIC loss-share income (expense)
Other non-interest income
Operating expenses

Income (loss) from continuing operations before

income tax

Income tax expense (benefit)

$ 445,333 $435,883 $428,733 $415,995 $ 411,044 $407,299 $412,210 $404,020
51,608

53,612

55,639

57,712

53,897

58,117

51,659

54,254

387,216
70,001
1,487
(1,853)

378,171
157,659
3,100
5,239

374,479
49,965
2,514
10,741

362,098
42,057
(1,359)
11,369

355,405
40,924
441
14,488

353,687
42,594
750
15,272

360,551
39,668
804
16,227

352,412
47,940
(3,105)
10,551

50

–
(137)

103

–
253

19

162

30

349

1,583

–

(8,299)
(655)

–
(278)

–
(1,627)

–
(113)

(209)
1,117

–
(162)

–

(420)

–

–

–

8,549

–

(304)

(11,075)
2,614
96,532
321,955

(6,406)
(3,948)
105,553
317,088

(2,930)
(475)
118,392
306,835

(1,966)
(8,257)
114,839
311,318

(3,051)
(130,334)
120,319
320,871

(4,390)
(61,723)
118,034
323,672

(5,746)
(12,576)
110,107
309,149

(4,098)
(3,146)
108,789
301,943

79,904
182,058

698
(19,966)

131,958
35,732

125,951
33,006

(7,006)
(1,766)

62,649
15,839

121,433
32,446

117,264
32,265

(Loss) income from continuing operations

$(102,154) $ 20,664 $ 96,226 $ 92,945 $

(5,240) $ 46,810 $ 88,987 $ 84,999

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net (loss) income

–

–

–

–

$(102,154) $ 20,664 $ 96,226 $ 92,945 $

1,135
–
(4,105) $ 46,810 $ 88,987 $ 84,999

–

–

Net (loss) income applicable to common stock

$(103,085) $ 19,734 $ 95,295 $ 92,014 $

(5,036) $ 45,880 $ 88,056 $ 84,068

Net (loss) income per common share - basic

Net (loss) income per common share - diluted

Dividends Declared per Common Share

$

$

$

(1.01) $

0.19 $

0.94 $

0.89 $

(0.05) $

0.44 $

0.85 $

(1.01) $

0.19 $

0.94 $

0.89 $

(0.05) $

0.44 $

0.85 $

0.25 $

0.25 $

0.25 $

0.25 $

0.15 $

0.15 $

0.15 $

0.81

0.81

0.15

Selected Average Balances
(In millions)

Total assets
Loans
Interest earning assets
Deposits
Interest-bearing liabilities
Selected Ratios

Return on assets
Return on equity

$ 43,252 $ 41,703 $ 41,071 $ 39,546 $ 39,086 $ 38,091 $ 37,371 $ 35,892
22,986
31,937
27,338
23,481

23,548
38,031
33,503
26,692

23,830
39,496
34,905
29,075

23,042
34,201
29,411
25,129

23,309
37,327
32,940
27,665

23,077
35,262
30,637
25,868

23,353
35,775
31,340
23,660

23,144
33,431
28,857
24,679

(0.94)% 0.20% 0.94% 0.95% (0.04)% 0.49% 0.96% 0.95%
(7.67)

(0.38)

1.47

6.58

3.46

7.13

7.24

6.80

Note: Because each reporting period stands on its own the sum of the net income (loss) per common share for the quarters may not equal to the net income (loss) per

common share for the year.

80

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of Popular, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control
over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and for our
assessment of internal control over financial reporting. The Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process
designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and includes
controls over the preparation of financial statements in accordance with the instructions to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for Bank Holding Companies (Form FR Y-9C) to comply with the reporting requirements of Section 112 of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA). The Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that:

(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions

of the assets of the Corporation;

(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of
the Corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Corporation; and

(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of

the Corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The management of Popular, Inc. has assessed the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Based on our assessment, management concluded that the Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial

reporting as of December 31, 2017 based on the criteria referred to above.

The Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of
the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as stated in their report dated March 1, 2018
which appears herein.

Ignacio Alvarez
President and
Chief Executive Officer

Carlos J. Vázquez
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

81

Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Popular, Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Popular, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“the
Corporation”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income
(loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,
including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the
Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control –
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Corporation as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. Also in our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the
COSO.

Basis for Opinions
The Corporation’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control
over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the
accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on
the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our
audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement,
whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement
of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.
Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial
reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.
Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

82

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. Management’s assessment and our audit of Popular, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting also
included controls over the preparation of financial statements in accordance with the instructions to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for Bank Holding Companies (Form FR Y-9C) to comply with the reporting requirements of Section 112 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA). A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that
receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of
the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
San Juan, Puerto Rico
March 1, 2018

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
(OF PUERTO RICO)
License No. LLP-216 Expires Dec. 1, 2019
Stamp E299588 of the P.R. Society of
Certified Public Accountants has been
affixed to the file copy of this report

We have served as the Corporation’s auditor since 1971, which includes periods before the Corporation became subject to SEC
reporting requirements.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

83

POPULAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

(In thousands, except share information)
Assets:
Cash and due from banks

Money market investments:

Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Time deposits with other banks

Total money market investments

Trading account securities, at fair value:

Pledged securities with creditors’ right to repledge
Other trading securities

Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value:

Pledged securities with creditors’ right to repledge
Other investment securities available-for-sale

Investment securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value 2017 - $84,303; 2016 - $75,576)
Other investment securities, at lower of cost or realizable value (realizable value 2017 - $170,539; 2016 - $170,890)
Loans held-for-sale, at lower of cost or fair value

Loans held-in-portfolio:

Loans not covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC
Loans covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC
Less – Unearned income

Allowance for loan losses

Total loans held-in-portfolio, net

FDIC loss-share asset
Premises and equipment, net
Other real estate not covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC
Other real estate covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC
Accrued income receivable
Mortgage servicing assets, at fair value
Other assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:

Deposits:

Non-interest bearing
Interest bearing

Total deposits

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase
Other short-term borrowings
Notes payable
Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Refer to Note 27)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 2,006,391 shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 170,000,000 shares authorized; 104,238,159 shares issued (2016 - 104,058,684) and

102,068,981 shares outstanding (2016 - 103,790,932)

Surplus
Retained earnings
Treasury stock - at cost, 2,169,178 shares (2016 - 267,752)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Total stockholders’ equity

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

84

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

$

402,857

$

362,394

–
5,255,119

5,255,119

625
42,562

393,634
9,785,104
93,821
167,225
132,395

24,423,427
517,274
130,633
623,426

24,186,642

45,192
547,142
169,260
19,595
213,844
168,031
1,991,323
627,294
35,672

23,637
2,866,580

2,890,217

11,486
48,319

491,843
7,717,963
98,101
167,818
88,821

22,895,172
572,878
121,425
540,651

22,805,974

69,334
543,981
180,445
32,128
138,042
196,889
2,145,510
627,294
45,050

$44,277,337

$38,661,609

$ 8,490,945
26,962,563

35,453,508

390,921
96,208
1,536,356
1,696,439

$ 6,980,443
23,515,781

30,496,224

479,425
1,200
1,574,852
911,951

39,173,432

33,463,652

50,160

50,160

1,042
4,298,503
1,194,994
(90,142)
(350,652)

5,103,905

1,040
4,255,022
1,220,307
(8,286)
(320,286)

5,197,957

$44,277,337

$38,661,609

POPULAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share information)
Interest income:

Loans
Money market investments
Investment securities
Trading account securities
Total interest income

Interest expense:

Deposits
Short-term borrowings
Long-term debt

Total interest expense

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses - non-covered loans
Provision (reversal) for loan losses - covered loans

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

Service charges on deposit accounts
Other service fees (Refer to Note 36)
Mortgage banking activities (Refer to Note 12)
Net gain and valuation adjustments on investment securities
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment securities
Trading account loss
Net (loss) gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold
FDIC loss-share (expense) income (Refer to Note 37)
Other operating income

Total non-interest income

Operating expenses:
Personnel costs
Net occupancy expenses
Equipment expenses
Other taxes
Professional fees
Communications
Business promotion
FDIC deposit insurance
Other real estate owned (OREO) expenses
Other operating expenses
Amortization of intangibles
Goodwill impairment charge
Restructuring costs

Total operating expenses

Income from continuing operations before income tax
Income tax expense (benefit)
Income from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net Income

Net Income Applicable to Common Stock

Net Income per Common Share – Basic
Net income from continuing operations
Net income from discontinued operations

Net Income per Common Share – Basic

Net Income per Common Share – Diluted
Net income from continuing operations
Net income from discontinued operations

Net Income per Common Share – Diluted

Dividends Declared per Common Share

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

$1,478,765
51,495
191,197
4,487
1,725,944

$1,459,720
16,428
152,011
6,414
1,634,573

$1,458,706
7,243
126,064
11,001
1,603,014

141,864
5,724
76,392
223,980
1,501,964
319,682
5,742

1,176,540
153,709
217,267
25,496
334
(8,299)
(817)
(420)
(22,377)
(10,066)
64,340
419,167

484,230
89,194
65,142
43,382
292,488
22,466
58,445
26,392
48,540
117,539
9,378
–
–
1,257,196
338,511
230,830
107,681
–
$ 107,681

127,577
7,812
77,129
212,518
1,422,055
171,126
(1,110)

1,252,039
160,836
234,770
56,538
1,962
(209)
(785)
8,245
(17,285)
(207,779)
61,643
297,936

487,476
85,653
62,225
42,304
323,043
23,897
53,014
24,512
47,119
90,447
12,144
3,801
–
1,255,635
294,340
78,784
215,556
1,135
$ 216,691

107,533
7,512
78,986
194,031
1,408,983
217,458
24,020

1,167,505
160,108
236,090
81,802
141
(14,445)
(4,723)
542
(18,628)
20,062
58,592
519,541

477,519
86,888
60,110
39,797
308,985
25,146
52,076
27,626
85,568
95,075
11,019
–
18,412
1,288,221
398,825
(495,172)
893,997
1,347
$ 895,344

$ 103,958

$ 212,968

$ 891,621

1.02
–

1.02

1.02
–

1.02

1.00

$

$

$

2.05
0.01

2.06

2.05
0.01

2.06

0.60

$

$

$

8.65
0.01

8.66

8.64
0.01

8.65

0.30

$

$

$

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

85

POPULAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Years ended December 31,
2016

(In thousands)

2017

2015

$107,681

$216,691

$895,344

(3,078)
(8,465)
22,428
(3,800)
(45,156)
8,299
(334)
(1,295)

1,888

(29,513)
(853)

(30,366)

(4,026)
(18,691)
21,948
(3,800)
(59,666)
209
(379)
(3,612)

3,149

(64,868)
1,468

(63,400)

(3,098)
(26,283)
20,100
(3,800)
(32,440)
14,445
(141)
(4,376)

4,702

(30,891)
3,877

(27,014)

$ 77,315

$153,291

$868,330

Years ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

$ 3,301
(8,744)
1,482
4,831
(1,559)
67
505
(736)

$ (853)

$ 7,289
(8,562)
1,482
1,081
(42)
39
1,409
(1,228)

$ 1,468

$10,251
(7,839)
1,482
2,569
(2,486)
28
1,707
(1,835)

$ 3,877

Net income

Other comprehensive loss before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Adjustment of pension and postretirement benefit plans

Amortization of net losses
Amortization of prior service credit

Unrealized holding losses on investments arising during the period

Other-than-temporary impairment included in net income
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

Unrealized net losses on cash flow hedges

Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income

Other comprehensive loss before tax
Income tax (expense) benefit

Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Comprehensive income, net of tax

Tax effect allocated to each component of other comprehensive loss:

(In thousands)

Adjustment of pension and postretirement benefit plans

Amortization of net losses
Amortization of prior service credit

Unrealized holding losses on investments arising during the period

Other-than-temporary impairment included in net income
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

Unrealized net losses on cash flow hedges

Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income

Income tax (expense) benefit

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

86

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

POPULAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY

(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2014
Net income
Issuance of stock
Tax windfall benefit on vesting of restricted stock
Dividends declared:
Common stock
Preferred stock

Common stock purchases
Common stock reissuance
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Transfer to statutory reserve

Balance at December 31, 2015

Net income
Issuance of stock
Tax windfall benefit on vesting of restricted stock
Dividends declared:
Common stock
Preferred stock

Common stock purchases
Common stock reissuance
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Transfer to statutory reserve

Balance at December 31, 2016

Net income
Issuance of stock
Dividends declared:
Common stock

Preferred stock
Common stock purchases

Common stock reissuance
Stock based compensation
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Transfer to statutory reserve

Balance at December 31, 2017

Disclosure of changes in number of shares:
Preferred Stock:

Balance at beginning and end of year

Common Stock:

Balance at beginning of year
Issuance of stock

Balance at end of year
Treasury stock

Common Stock – Outstanding

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Common
stock

Preferred
stock

Surplus

Retained
earnings

Treasury
stock

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss

$1,036

$50,160

$4,196,458 $ 253,717
895,344

$ (4,117)

$(229,872)

2

6,224
169

(31,076)
(3,723)

(2,086)
102

26,305

(26,305)

(27,014)

Total

$4,267,382
895,344
6,226
169

(31,076)
(3,723)
(2,086)
102
(27,014)
–

$1,038

$50,160

$4,229,156 $1,087,957

$ (6,101)

$(256,886)

$5,105,324

2

7,435
47

216,691

(62,234)
(3,723)

(2,202)
17

(63,400)

18,384

(18,384)

216,691
7,437
47

(62,234)
(3,723)
(2,202)
17
(63,400)
–

$1,040

$50,160

$4,255,022 $1,220,307

$ (8,286)

$(320,286)

$5,197,957

2

6,945

107,681

(102,136)
(3,723)

4,518
(13)
4,896

(81,938)
82

27,135

(27,135)

(30,366)

107,681
6,947

(102,136)
(3,723)
(77,420)
69
4,896
(30,366)
–

$1,042

$50,160

$4,298,503 $1,194,994

$(90,142)

$(350,652)

$5,103,905

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

2,006,391

2,006,391

2,006,391

104,058,684
179,475

103,816,185
242,499

103,614,553
201,632

104,238,159
(2,169,178)

104,058,684
(267,752)

103,816,185
(197,209)

102,068,981

103,790,932

103,618,976

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

87

POPULAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Provision for loan losses
Goodwill impairment losses
Amortization of intangibles
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
Net accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums and deferred fees
Impairment losses on long-lived assets
Other-than-temporary impairment on investment securities
Fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing rights
FDIC loss-share expense (income)
Adjustments to indemnity reserves on loans sold
Earnings from investments under the equity method
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Loss (gain) on:

Disposition of premises and equipment
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities
Sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale and mortgage banking activities
Sale of foreclosed assets, including write-downs

Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale
Net originations on loans held-for-sale
Net decrease (increase) in:

Trading securities
Accrued income receivable
Other assets

Net increase (decrease) in:

Interest payable
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation
Other liabilities

Total adjustments
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:

Net increase in money market investments
Purchases of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Held-to-maturity
Other

Proceeds from calls, paydowns, maturities and redemptions of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Held-to-maturity
Other

Proceeds from sale of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Other

Net (disbursements) repayments on loans
Proceeds from sale of loans
Acquisition of loan portfolios
Acquisition of trademark
Net payments (to) from FDIC under loss sharing agreements
Net cash received and acquired from business combination
Acquisition of servicing advances
Cash paid related to business acquisitions
Return of capital from equity method investments
Mortgage servicing rights purchased
Acquisition of premises and equipment
Proceeds from sale of:

Premises and equipment and other productive assets
Foreclosed assets

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:

Net increase (decrease) in:

Deposits
Federal funds purchased and assets sold under agreements to repurchase
Other short-term borrowings

Payments of notes payable
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, including reissuance of treasury shares
Dividends paid
Net payments for repurchase of common stock
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
Cash and due from banks at end of period

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

107,681

$

216,691

$

895,344

325,424
–
9,378
48,364
(22,310)
4,784
8,299
36,519
10,066
22,377
(34,083)
207,428

4,281
(334)
(16,670)
21,715
(244,385)
69,464
(315,522)

501,618
(75,802)
(50,508)

2,549
(13,100)
28,279
527,831
635,512

170,016
3,801
12,144
46,874
(40,786)
–
209
25,336
207,779
17,285
(31,288)
61,574

4,094
(1,962)
(35,517)
19,357
(310,217)
89,887
(510,783)

753,839
(13,808)
(26,304)

165
(55,678)
(13,241)
372,776
589,467

241,478
–
11,019
47,474
(73,496)
–
14,445
7,904
(20,062)
18,628
(24,373)
(519,128)

(3,629)
(141)
(35,013)
60,378
(401,991)
124,111
(792,821)

1,083,683
5,392
100,133

528
3,252
(72,980)
(225,209)
670,135

(2,364,902)

(710,125)

(357,706)

(4,139,762)
–
(29,672)

(3,407,779)
–
(14,130)

(2,014,315)
(750)
(40,847)

2,023,295
6,232
–

1,227,966
4,588
11,122

1,362,712
4,856
46,341

14,992
30,265
(398,676)
415
(535,534)
–
(7,679)
–
–
–
8,694
–
(62,697)

5,259
9,021
(267,205)
141,363
(535,445)
–
98,518
–
–
–
907
–
(100,320)

9,753
96,540
(5,348,736)

8,897
83,357
(3,444,006)

4,954,105
(88,505)
95,008
(95,607)
55,000
7,016
(95,910)
(75,664)
(1,756)
4,753,687
40,463
362,394
402,857

$

3,286,428
(282,719)
–
(254,816)
165,047
7,437
(65,932)
(563)
(1,623)
2,853,259
(1,280)
363,674
362,394

$

$

96,760
14,950
431,676
30,160
(338,447)
(50)
247,976
731,279
(61,304)
(17,250)
13,329
(2,400)
(62,656)

12,880
141,145
238,339

207,338
(509,512)
(148,215)
(737,889)
277,398
6,226
(19,257)
(1,021)
(963)
(925,895)
(17,421)
381,095
363,674

During the year ended December 31, 2017 there have not been any cash flows associated with discontinued operations. The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 includes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities associated with discontinued operations.

88

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements

Note 1 - Nature of Operations
Note 2 - Hurricanes Impact
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 4 - New Accounting Pronouncements
Note 5 - Restrictions on Cash and Due from Banks and Certain Securities
Note 6 - Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell
Note 7 - Investment Securities Available-For-Sale
Note 8 - Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity
Note 9 - Loans
Note 10 - Allowance for Loan Losses
Note 11 - FDIC Loss Share Asset and True-Up Payment Obligation
Note 12 - Mortgage Banking Activities
Note 13 - Transfers of Financial Assets and Mortgage Servicing Assets
Note 14 - Premises and Equipment
Note 15 - Other Real Estate Owned
Note 16 - Other Assets
Note 17 - Investment in Equity Investees
Note 18 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Note 19 - Deposits
Note 20 - Borrowings
Note 21 - Offsetting of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Note 22 - Trust Preferred Securities
Note 23 - Stockholders’ Equity
Note 24 - Regulatory Capital Requirements
Note 25 - Other Comprehensive Loss
Note 26 - Guarantees
Note 27 - Commitments and Contingencies
Note 28 - Non-consolidated Variable Interest Entities
Note 29 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Note 30 - Related Party Transactions
Note 31 - Fair Value Measurement
Note 32 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Note 33 - Employee Benefits
Note 34 - Net Income per Common Share
Note 35 - Rental Expense and Commitments
Note 36 - Other Service Fees
Note 37 - FDIC Loss Share (Expense) Income
Note 38 - Stock-Based Compensation
Note 39 - Income Taxes
Note 40 - Supplemental Disclosure on the Consolidated Statements of Cash

Flows

Note 41 - Segment Reporting
Note 42 - Subsequent Events
Note 43 - Popular, Inc. (Holding company only) Financial Information
Note 44 - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor and

Issuers of Registered Guaranteed Securities

90
90
91
102
106
106
107
110
112
120
135
137
137
140
141
142
142
142
145
145
149
150
151
152
154
155
157
164
166
169
174
181
186
193
193
194
194
194
196

200
200
203
203

207

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

89

In Puerto Rico,

Note 1 - Nature of operations
Popular, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is a diversified, publicly
owned financial holding company subject to the supervision
and regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System. The Corporation has operations in Puerto Rico, the
United States and the Caribbean.
the
Corporation provides retail, mortgage and commercial banking
services,
through its principal banking subsidiary, Banco
Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”), as well as investment
banking, broker-dealer, auto and equipment
leasing and
specialized
through
insurance
financing,
subsidiaries. In the U.S. mainland, the Corporation operates
Banco Popular North America (“BPNA”). BPNA focuses efforts
and resources on the core community banking business. BPNA
operates branches in New York, New Jersey and South Florida
under the name of Popular Community Bank. Note 41 to the
consolidated financial statements presents information about
the Corporation’s business segments.

services

and

Note 2 - Hurricanes impact
During September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria (the
“hurricanes”), impacted Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin
Islands, causing extensive damage and disrupting the markets
in which Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”) does
business.

On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in the
USVI and the BVI as a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-
Simpson scale, causing catastrophic wind and water damage to
the islands’ infrastructure, homes and businesses. Hurricane
Irma’s winds and resulting flooding also impacted certain
municipalities of Puerto Rico, causing the failure of electricity
infrastructure in a significant portion of the island. While
hurricane Irma also struck Popular’s operations in Florida,
neither our operations nor those of our clients in the region
were materially impacted.

electrical power, other basic utility

Two weeks later, on September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria,
made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 hurricane, causing
extensive destruction and flooding throughout Puerto Rico.
Following the passage of Hurricane Maria, all Puerto Rico was
and
left without
infrastructure services (such as water, communications, ports
and other transportation networks) were severely curtailed and
the government imposed a mandatory curfew. The hurricanes
caused a significant disruption to the island’s economic activity.
Most
and
wholesalers, financial institutions, manufacturing facilities and
hotels, were closed for several days.

establishments,

including

business

retailers

Puerto Rico and the USVI were declared disaster zones by
President Trump due to the impact of the hurricanes, thus
making them eligible for Federal assistance. Notwithstanding
the significant recovery operation that is underway by the
Federal, state and local governments, as of the date of this
report, many businesses and homes in Puerto Rico and the

90

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

remains

significantly impacted,

remain without power, other basic utility

and
USVI
and many
infrastructure
businesses are partially operating or remain closed. Electronic
transactions, a significant source of revenue for the bank,
declined significantly as a result of the lack of power and
telecommunication services. Several reports indicate that the
hurricanes have also accelerated the outmigration trends that
Puerto Rico was experiencing, with many residents moving to
the mainland United States, either on a temporary or
permanent basis.

While it is too early to assess and quantify the full extent of
the damage caused by the hurricanes, as well as their long-term
impact on economic activity, the damages are substantial and
have, at least in the short-term, had a material adverse impact
on economic activity, as reflected by, among other things, the
slowdown in production and sales activity and the reduction in
the government’s tax revenues. Employment levels have also
decreased in the short-term and could continue to decline as a
result of the impact of the hurricanes on economic activity and
outmigration trends. Furthermore,
the hurricanes severely
damaged or destroyed buildings, homes and other structures,
impacting the value of such properties, some of which may
serve as collateral to our loans. While our collateral is generally
insured, the value of such insured structures, as well as other
structures unaffected by the hurricanes, may be significantly
impacted. Although some of the impact of the hurricanes,
including its short-term impact on economic activity, may be
offset by recovery and reconstruction activity and the influx of
Federal emergency funds and private insurance proceeds, it is
too early to know the amount of Federal and private insurance
such transfers will
money to be received and whether
and
significantly
demographic impact of the hurricanes.

the negative

economic,

offset

fiscal

business

continuity

Prior to the hurricanes, the Corporation had implemented
its
action program. Although the
Corporation’s business critical systems experienced minimal
outages as a result of the storms, the Corporation’s physical
operations in Puerto Rico, the USVI and the BVI, including its
branch and ATM networks, were materially disrupted by the
storms mostly due to lack of electricity and communication as
well as limited accessibility.

During the fourth quarter of 2017,

the Corporation
continued normalizing its operations after the impact of the
hurricanes, pursuant to the government’s partial restoration of
the electric and telecommunications services in the areas in
which
operates.
Reconstruction of
the island’s electric infrastructure and
restoration of the telecommunications network remain the most
critical
recovery from the
for Puerto Rico’s
hurricanes.

Corporation’s

challenges

network

branch

the

The following summarizes the estimated impact on the
Corporation’s earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017

as a result of the impact caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria,
net of estimated insurance receivables of $1.1 million.

further adjustments to these estimates as more information
becomes available.

(In thousands)

Provision for loan losses [1]

Provision for indemnity reserves on loans sold

Operating expenses:
Personnel costs
Net occupancy expenses
Equipment expenses
Business promotion

Donations
Other sponsorship and promotions

expenses

Total business promotion

Professional fees
Communications
OREO expenses
Other expenses

Write-down of premises and

equipment

Other operating expense

Total other expenses

Total operating expenses

Total pre-tax hurricane expenses

Year ended
December 31, 2017

$67,615

$ 3,436

$ 1,841
2,905
531

1,248

2,372

3,620

167
33
2,893

3,626
1,365

4,991

$16,981

$88,032

[1]

Includes $5.8 million in provision for covered loans.

Provision for Loan Losses
Damages associated with Hurricanes Irma and Maria impacted
certain of the Corporation’s asset quality measures, including
higher delinquencies and non-performing loans. Payment
channels, collection efforts and loss mitigation operations were
interrupted as a result of the hurricanes.

At December 31, 2017, within the total allowance for loan
losses the Corporation maintained a reserve of $117.6 million,
for non-covered loans, based on the best estimate of the impact
of the hurricanes on the Corporation’s loan portfolios. This
reserve is based on the near mid-range of the estimated credit
losses related to the hurricanes, which management had
initially estimated to be in the range of $70 million to
$160 million. The impact to the provision for loan losses of
$67.6 million, including $5.8 million for covered loans, related
between
to
management’s best estimate of these losses and the amount
already included as part of the reserves for environmental
factors such as unemployment and deterioration in economic
activity, which amounted to approximately $60 million. This
provision includes $5.6 million for the portfolio of purchased
credit impaired loans, accounted for under ASC 310-30, for
which the estimated cash flows were adjusted to reflect a
payment moratorium offered to certain eligible borrowers
during the third quarter of 2017. The Corporation may make

hurricanes

represents

difference

the

the

Indemnity reserve
The Corporation services a portfolio of loans amounting to
$1.5 billion at December 31, 2017 which were previously sold
by the Corporation with credit recourse. The Corporation has
estimated additional
losses associated with the potential
repurchase liability of loans subject to credit recourse as a result
of the hurricanes. For the year 2017, the provision for loans
indemnity reserves of $22.4 million included
sold for
$3.4 million to account
these estimated losses. At
for
December 31, 2017, the reserve for loans subject to credit
recourse amounted to $58.8 million.

Operating Expenses
The Corporation has recorded year to date expenses related to
structural damages of $6.5 million, net of the related insurance
receivable of $1.1 million. The results also include other
operating expenses for costs such as donations, debris removal,
fuel
satellite telecommunications,
personnel support and other ancillary costs associated with
hurricane recovery efforts.

for backup generators,

Revenue Reduction
In addition to the previously mentioned incremental provision
and direct operating expenses, results for the year 2017 were
impacted by the hurricanes in the form of a reduction in
revenue resulting from reduced merchant transaction activity,
the waiver of certain late fees and service charges to businesses
and consumer in hurricane-affected areas, as well as the
economic and operational disruption on the Corporation’s
mortgage originations, servicing and loss mitigation activities.

While significant progress has been made in economic and
transactional activity since September, the continued impact on
transactional and collection based revenues will depend on the
speed at which electricity, telecommunications and general
merchant services can be restored across the region.

Note 3 - Summary of significant accounting policies
The accounting and financial reporting policies of Popular, Inc.
and its
conform with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America and with prevailing practices within the financial
services industry.

“Corporation”)

subsidiaries

(the

The following is a description of the most significant of

these policies:

Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Popular, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and
In
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
accordance with the consolidation guidance for variable interest

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

91

entities, the Corporation would also consolidate any variable
interest entities (“VIEs”) for which it has a controlling financial
interest; and therefore, it is the primary beneficiary. Assets held
in a fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Corporation and,
accordingly, are not included in the consolidated statements of
financial condition.

from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), as
receiver (the “Doral Bank Transaction”). The Corporation
determined that
acquisition constituted a business
combination as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (“FASB”) Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805 “Business
Combinations”.

this

in

other

recorded

operating

Unconsolidated investments, in which there is at least 20%
ownership, are generally accounted for by the equity method
which the Corporation exercises significant influence, with
earnings
income. These
investments are included in other assets and the Corporation’s
proportionate share of income or loss is included in other
operating income. Those investments in which there is less
than 20% ownership, are generally carried under the cost
method of accounting, unless significant influence is exercised.
Under the cost method, the Corporation recognizes income
when dividends
are
accounted for by the equity method unless the investor’s
the limited partner may have
interest
virtually no influence over partnership operating and financial
policies.

received. Limited partnerships

is so “minor” that

are

Statutory business trusts that are wholly-owned by the
Corporation and are issuers of trust preferred securities are not
consolidated in the Corporation’s
consolidated financial
statements.

liabilities

control. Also,

in the acquiree at

Business combinations
Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition
method. Under this method, assets acquired, liabilities assumed
and any noncontrolling interest
the
acquisition date are measured at their fair values as of the
acquisition date. The acquisition date is the date the acquirer
obtains
arising from
assets or
noncontractual contingencies are measured at their acquisition
date at fair value only if it is more likely than not that they meet
liability. Acquisition-related
the definition of an asset or
restructuring costs that do not meet certain criteria of exit or
disposal activities are expensed as incurred. Transaction costs
are expensed as incurred. Changes in income tax valuation
allowances for acquired deferred tax assets are recognized in
earnings
to the measurement period as an
adjustment to income tax expense. Contingent consideration
classified as an asset or a liability is remeasured to fair value at
each reporting date until the contingency is resolved. The
changes in fair value of
the contingent consideration are
recognized in earnings unless the arrangement is a hedging
instrument for which changes are initially recognized in other
comprehensive income.

subsequent

There were no significant business combinations during

2017 and 2016.

requires management

Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
and
America
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.

to make

estimates

Fair value measurements
The Corporation determines the fair values of its financial
instruments based on the fair value framework established in
the guidance for Fair Value Measurements in ASC Subtopic
820-10, which requires an entity to maximize the use of
observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs
when measuring fair value. Fair value is defined as the
exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to
transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most
advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly
transaction between market participants on the measurement
date. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be
used to measure fair value which are (1) quoted market prices
for
active markets,
(2) observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that
are corroborated by market data, and (3) unobservable inputs
that are not corroborated by market data. The fair value
hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information
used to determine fair values.

liabilities

identical

assets

or

in

The guidance in ASC Subtopic 820-10 also addresses
measuring fair value in situations where markets are inactive
and transactions are not orderly. Transactions or quoted prices
for assets and liabilities may not be determinative of fair value
when transactions are not orderly, and thus, may require
adjustments to estimate fair value. Price quotes based on
transactions that are not orderly should be given little, if any,
weight
in measuring fair value. Price quotes based on
transactions that are orderly shall be considered in determining
fair value, and the weight given is based on facts and
circumstances. If sufficient
information is not available to
determine if price quotes are based on orderly transactions, less
weight should be given to the price quote relative to other
transactions that are known to be orderly.

On February 27, 2015, BPPR, in alliance with other bidders,
including BPNA, acquired certain assets and all deposits (other
than certain brokered deposits) of former Doral Bank (“Doral”)

Covered assets
to loss sharing agreements with the FDIC,
Assets subject
including certain loans and other real estate properties, are

92

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

labeled “covered” on the consolidated statements of financial
the notes to the consolidated
condition and throughout
financial statements. Loans acquired in the Westernbank FDIC-
assisted transaction, except
for credit cards, which remain
subject to the terms of the FDIC loss sharing agreement, are
considered “covered loans” because the Corporation will be
reimbursed for 80% of any future losses on these loans subject
to the terms of such agreement.

Investment securities
Investment securities are classified in four categories and
accounted for as follows:

• Debt securities that the Corporation has the intent and
ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities
held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost. The
Corporation may not sell or transfer held-to-maturity
securities without calling into question its intent to hold
other debt securities to maturity, unless a nonrecurring or
that could not have been reasonably
unusual event
anticipated has occurred. An investment in debt securities
is considered impaired if the fair value of the investment
is less than its amortized cost. For other-than-temporary
impairments the Corporation assesses if it has both the
intent and the ability to hold the security for a period of
time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in its
fair value to its amortized cost. An other-than-temporary
impairment not related to a credit loss (defined as the
difference between the present value of the cash flows
expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis) for
a held-to-maturity security is
recognized in other
comprehensive loss and amortized over the remaining life
of the debt security. The amortized cost basis for a debt
security is adjusted by the credit loss amount of other-
than-temporary impairments.

• Debt and equity securities classified as trading securities
are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses
included in non-interest income.

net

• Debt and equity securities (equity securities with readily
available fair value) not classified as either securities
held-to-maturity or trading securities, and which have a
readily available fair value, are classified as securities
available-for-sale
fair value, with
and reported at
unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and
reported,
other
comprehensive income or loss. The specific identification
method is used to determine realized gains and losses on
securities available-for-sale, which are included in net
gains or losses on sale and valuation adjustment of
investment securities in the consolidated statements of
operations. Declines in the value of debt and equity
considered other-than-temporary
securities
reduce the value of the asset, and the estimated loss is

accumulated

taxes,

that

are

in

of

recorded in non-interest income. For debt securities, the
Corporation assesses whether (a) it has the intent to sell
the debt security, or (b) it is more likely than not that it
will be required to sell
the debt security before its
anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met,
an other-than-temporary impairment on the security is
recognized. In instances in which a determination is made
that a credit loss (defined as the difference between the
present value of the cash flows expected to be collected
and the amortized cost basis) exists but the entity does
not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more
likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the
debt security before the anticipated recovery of
its
remaining amortized cost basis (i.e., the amortized cost
basis less any current-period credit loss), the impairment
is separated into (a) the amount of the total impairment
related to the credit loss, and (b) the amount of the total
impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the
total impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in
the statement of operations. The amount of the total
impairment related to all other factors is recognized in
other comprehensive loss. The other-than-temporary
impairment analyses for both debt and equity securities
are performed on a quarterly basis.

• Investments in equity or other securities that do not have
readily available fair values are classified as other
investment securities in the consolidated statements of
financial condition, and are subject to impairment testing,
if applicable. These securities are stated at the lower of
cost or realizable value. The source of this value varies
according to the nature of the investment, and is primarily
obtained by the Corporation from valuation analyses
prepared by third-parties or from information derived
from financial statements available for the corresponding
venture capital and mutual funds. Stock that is owned by
the Corporation to comply with regulatory requirements,
such as Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan
Bank (“FHLB”) stock, is included in this category, and
their realizable value equals their cost.

The amortization of premiums is deducted and the accretion
of discounts is added to net interest income based on the
interest method over the outstanding period of the related
securities. The cost of securities sold is determined by specific
identification. Net
losses on sales of
realized gains or
investment securities and unrealized loss valuation adjustments
on securities
considered
other-than-temporary,
available-for-sale, held-to-maturity
investment
securities are determined using the specific identification
method and are reported separately in the consolidated
statements of operations. Purchases and sales of securities are
recognized on a trade date basis.

if
any,
and other

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

93

Derivative financial instruments
All derivatives are recognized on the statements of financial
condition at fair value. The Corporation’s policy is not to offset
the fair value amounts recognized for multiple derivative
instruments executed with the same counterparty under a
master netting arrangement nor to offset the fair value amounts
recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable)
or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising
from the same master netting arrangement as the derivative
instruments.

For a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the
derivative instrument, to the extent that it is effective, are
recorded net of taxes in accumulated other comprehensive
income and subsequently reclassified to net income (loss) in
the hedged transaction impacts
the same period(s)
earnings. The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges is
immediately recognized in current earnings. For free-standing
derivative instruments, changes in fair values are reported in
current period earnings.

that

the

includes

documents

relationship

and strategy

for undertaking

Prior to entering a hedge transaction,

the Corporation
formally
between hedging
instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk management
various hedge
objective
transactions. This process
linking all derivative
instruments to specific assets and liabilities on the statements of
financial condition or to specific forecasted transactions or firm
commitments along with a formal assessment, at both inception
of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, as to the effectiveness of
the derivative instrument in offsetting changes in fair values or
cash flows of
accounting is
the hedged item. Hedge
discontinued when the derivative instrument is not highly
effective as a hedge, a derivative expires, is sold, terminated,
when it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur or
when it is determined that it is no longer appropriate. When
hedge accounting is discontinued the derivative continues to be
carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in
earnings.

quotes,

For non-exchange traded contracts, fair value is based on
flow
dealer
the
methodologies
determination of fair value may require significant management
judgment or estimation.

pricing models,
or

cash
for which

discounted

techniques

similar

The fair value of derivative instruments considers the risk of
non-performance by the counterparty or the Corporation, as
applicable.

The Corporation obtains or pledges collateral in connection
the

with its derivative activities when applicable under
agreement.

are

Loans
Loans
held-in-portfolio when
management has the intent and ability to hold the loan for the
foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff. The foreseeable

classified

loans

as

94

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

future is a management judgment which is determined based
loan, business strategies, current market
upon the type of
conditions, balance sheet management and liquidity needs.
Management’s view of the foreseeable future may change based
on changes in these conditions. When a decision is made to sell
or securitize a loan that was not originated or initially acquired
with the intent to sell or securitize, the loan is reclassified from
held-in-portfolio into held-for-sale. Due to changing market
conditions or other strategic initiatives, management’s intent
with respect to the disposition of the loan may change, and
accordingly, loans previously classified as held-for-sale may be
reclassified into held-in-portfolio. Loans transferred between
loans held-for-sale and held-in-portfolio classifications are
recorded at the lower of cost or fair value at the date of transfer.
value upon
acquisition. Credit discounts are included in the determination
of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan losses is not
recorded at the acquisition date.

Purchased loans

accounted at

fair

are

Loans held-for-sale are stated at the lower of cost or fair
value, cost being determined based on the outstanding loan
balance less unearned income, and fair value determined,
generally in the aggregate. Fair value is measured based on
current market prices for similar loans, outstanding investor
commitments, prices of recent sales or discounted cash flow
analyses which utilize inputs and assumptions which are
believed to be consistent with market participants’ views. The
cost basis also includes consideration of deferred origination
fees and costs, which are recognized in earnings at the time of
sale. Upon reclassification to held-for-sale, credit related fair
value adjustments are recorded as a reduction in the allowance
for loan losses (“ALLL”). To the extent that the loan’s reduction
in value has not already been provided for in the allowance for
loan losses, an additional
loan loss provision is recorded.
Subsequent to reclassification to held-for-sale, the amount, by
which cost exceeds fair value, if any, is accounted for as a
valuation allowance with changes therein included in the
determination of net income (loss) for the period in which the
change occurs.

Loans held-in-portfolio are reported at their outstanding
principal balances net of any unearned income, charge-offs,
unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, and
premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Fees collected and
costs incurred in the origination of new loans are deferred and
amortized using the interest method or a method which
approximates the interest method over the term of the loan as
an adjustment to interest yield.

The past due status of a loan is determined in accordance
with its contractual repayment terms. Furthermore, loans are
reported as past due when either interest or principal remains
unpaid for 30 days or more in accordance with its contractual
repayment terms.

Non-accrual loans are those loans on which the accrual of
interest is discontinued. When a loan is placed on non-accrual

is

interest

deemed

generally

income on commercial

uncollectible)
in any event, not

status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is charged
against income and the loan is accounted for either on a cash-
basis method or on the cost-recovery method. Loans designated
as non-accruing are returned to accrual status when the
Corporation expects repayment of the remaining contractual
principal and interest.
Recognition of

and
construction loans is discontinued when the loans are 90 days
or more in arrears on payments of principal or interest or when
other factors indicate that
the collection of principal and
interest is doubtful. The impaired portion of secured loan past
due as to principal and interest is charged-off not later than 365
days past due. However, in the case of a collateral dependent
loan individually evaluated for impairment, the excess of the
the collateral
recorded investment over the fair value of
(portion
promptly
charged-off, but
later than the quarter
following the quarter in which such excess was first recognized.
Commercial unsecured loans are charged-off no later than 180
days past due. Recognition of interest income on mortgage
loans is generally discontinued when loans are 90 days or more
in arrears on payments of principal or interest. The impaired
portion of a mortgage loan is charged-off when the loan is 180
days past due. The Corporation discontinues the recognition of
interest on residential mortgage loans insured by the Federal
Housing Administration (“FHA”) or guaranteed by the U.S.
(“VA”) when 15-months
Department of Veterans Affairs
delinquent as to principal or interest. The principal repayment
on these loans is insured. Recognition of interest income on
closed-end consumer loans and home equity lines of credit is
discontinued when the loans are 90 days or more in arrears on
is generally
payments of principal or
recognized on open-end consumer loans, except for home
equity lines of credit, until
the loans are charged-off.
Recognition of interest income for lease financing is ceased
when loans are 90 days or more in arrears. Closed-end
consumer loans and leases are charged-off when they are 120
days in arrears. Open-end (revolving credit) consumer loans are
charged-off when 180 days
in arrears. Commercial and
consumer overdrafts are generally charged-off no later than 60
days past their due date.

interest.

Income

Purchased impaired loans

accounted for under ASC
Subtopic 310-30 are not considered non-performing and
continue to have an accretable yield as long as there is a
reasonable expectation about the timing and amount of cash
flows expected to be collected. Also, loans charged-off against
the
purchase
accounting are not reported as charge-offs. Charge-offs on loans
accounted under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are recorded only to the
extent
exceed the non-accretable difference
established with purchase accounting.

non-accretable

established

difference

losses

that

in

A loan classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) is
typically in non-accrual status at the time of the modification.

The TDR loan continues in non-accrual status until
the
borrower has demonstrated a willingness and ability to make
the restructured loan payments (at least six months of sustained
performance after the modification (or one year for loans
and
providing for quarterly or
management has concluded that
the
borrower would not be in payment default in the foreseeable
future.

semi-annual payments))
is probable that

it

Lease financing
The Corporation leases passenger and commercial vehicles and
equipment to individual and corporate customers. The finance
method of accounting is used to recognize revenue on lease
contracts that meet the criteria specified in the guidance for
leases in ASC Topic 840. Aggregate rentals due over the term of
the leases less unearned income are included in finance lease
contracts receivable. Unearned income is amortized using a
method which results in approximate level rates of return on
the principal amounts outstanding. Finance lease origination
fees and costs are deferred and amortized over the average life
of the lease as an adjustment to the interest yield.

Revenue for other leases is recognized as it becomes due

under the terms of the agreement.

Loans acquired as part of the Westernbank FDIC-assisted
transaction
Loans acquired in a business acquisition are recorded at fair
value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in
the determination of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan
losses is not recorded at the acquisition date.

The Corporation applied the guidance of ASC Subtopic
loans acquired in Westernbank FDIC-assisted
310-30 to all
transaction (including loans that do not meet scope of ASC
Subtopic 310-30), except for credit cards and revolving lines of
credit that were expressly scoped out from the application of
this guidance since they continued to have revolving privileges
after acquisition. Management used its judgment in evaluating
factors impacting expected cash flows and probable loss
the loan portfolio,
assumptions,
conditions,
portfolio concentrations, distressed economic
quality of underwriting standards of the acquired institution,
reductions
real estate values, among other
considerations that could also impact the expected cash inflows
on the loans.

including the quality of

in collateral

Loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 represent
loans showing evidence of credit deterioration and that it is
probable, at the date of acquisition, that the Corporation would
not collect all contractually required principal and interest
payments. Generally, acquired loans that meet the definition for
nonaccrual status fall within the Corporation’s definition of
impaired loans under ASC Subtopic 310-30. Also, based on the
fair value determined for the acquired portfolio, acquired loans
that did not meet the definition of nonaccrual status also

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

95

resulted in the recognition of a significant discount attributable
to credit quality. Accordingly, an election was made by the
Corporation to apply the accretable yield method (expected
cash flow model of ASC Subtopic 310-30), as a loan with credit
deterioration and impairment,
instead of the standard loan
discount accretion guidance of ASC Subtopic 310-20, for the
loans acquired in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction.
These loans are disclosed as a loan that was acquired with
credit deterioration and impairment.

Loans acquired as part of the Doral Bank FDIC-assisted
transaction
Certain residential mortgage loans and commercial
loans
acquired as part of the Doral Bank Transaction were considered
impaired. Accordingly, the Corporation applied the guidance of
ASC Subtopic 310-30. Refer to Note 9 to the consolidated
financial statements for additional information with respect to
the loans acquired as part of the Doral Bank Transaction that
were considered impaired.

Under ASC Subtopic 310-30, the loans acquired from the
FDIC were aggregated into pools based on loans that had
common risk characteristics. Each loan pool is accounted for as
a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an
aggregate expectation of cash flows. Characteristics considered
in pooling loans in the FDIC-assisted transaction included loan
type, interest rate type, accruing status, amortization type, rate
the
index and source type. Once the pools are defined,
Corporation maintains the integrity of the pool of multiple
loans accounted for as a single asset.

the pool

reasonably

Under ASC Subtopic 310-30, the difference between the
undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the fair
value in the loans, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as
interest
income using the effective yield method over the
estimated life of the loan if the timing and amount of the future
cash flows of
estimable. The
is
non-accretable difference represents the difference between
contractually required principal and interest and the cash flows
expected to be collected. Subsequent to the acquisition date,
increases in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition
date are recognized as a reduction of any allowance for loan
losses established after the acquisition and then as an increase
in the accretable yield for the loans prospectively. Decreases in
expected cash flows after the acquisition date are recognized by
recording an allowance for loan losses.

The fair value discount of lines of credit with revolving
privileges that are accounted for pursuant to the guidance of
ASC Subtopic 310-20 represents the difference between the
contractually required loan payment receivable in excess of the
initial investment in the loan. This discount is accreted into
interest income over the life of the loan if the loan is in
accruing status. Any cash flows collected in excess of the
carrying amount of the loan are recognized in earnings at the
time of collection. The carrying amount of lines of credit with

96

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

revolving privileges, which are accounted pursuant
to the
guidance of ASC Subtopic 310-20, are subject to periodic
review to determine the need for recognizing an allowance for
loan losses.

losses

inherent

Allowance for loan losses
The Corporation follows a systematic methodology to establish
and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to
in the loan portfolio. This
provide for
methodology includes the consideration of
factors such as
current economic conditions, portfolio risk characteristics,
prior loss experience and results of periodic credit reviews of
individual
loans. The provision for loan losses charged to
current operations is based on this methodology. Loan losses
are charged and recoveries are credited to the allowance for
loan losses.

The Corporation’s assessment of the allowance for loan
losses is determined in accordance with the guidance of loss
contingencies in ASC Subtopic 450-20 and loan impairment
guidance in ASC Section 310-10-35. Also, the Corporation
determines the allowance for loan losses on purchased impaired
loans and purchased loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic
310-30 by analogy, by evaluating decreases in expected cash
flows after the acquisition date.

For a detailed description of the principal factors used to
determine the general reserves of the allowance for loan losses
and for the principal enhancements Management made to its
methodology, refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial
statements.

According to the loan impairment accounting guidance in
ASC Section 310-10-35, a loan is impaired when, based on
current information and events, it is probable that the principal
and/or interest are not going to be collected according to the
original contractual
the loan agreement. Current
information and events include “environmental” factors, e.g.
existing industry, geographical, economic and political factors.
Probable means the future event or events which will confirm
the loss or impairment of the loan is likely to occur.

terms of

The Corporation defines commercial and construction
impaired loans as borrowers with total debt greater than or
equal to $1 million with 90 days or more past due, as well as all
loans whose terms have been modified in a troubled debt
restructuring (“TDRs”). In addition,
larger commercial and
construction loans ($1 million and over) that exhibit probable
or observed credit weaknesses are subject to individual review
and
and
construction loans
the Corporation’s
that originally met
threshold for impairment identification in a prior period, but
due to charge-offs or payments are currently below the
$1 million threshold and are still 90 days past due, except for
TDRs, are accounted for under the Corporation’s general
reserve methodology. Although the accounting codification
guidance for specific impairment of a loan excludes large

impairment. Commercial

evaluated

thus

for

loans

impairment

smaller balance homogeneous

that are
groups of
(e.g. mortgage and
collectively evaluated for
consumer loans), it specifically requires that loan modifications
considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) be analyzed
under its provisions. An allowance for loan impairment is
recognized to the extent that the carrying value of an impaired
loan exceeds the present value of the expected future cash flows
discounted at the loan’s effective rate, the observable market
price of the loan, if available, or the fair value of the collateral if
the loan is collateral dependent. The fair value of the collateral
is generally based on appraisals. Appraisals may be adjusted due
to their age, and the type,
location, and condition of the
property or area or general market conditions to reflect the
expected change in value between the effective date of the
impairment measurement date. The
appraisal
Corporation
from
pre-approved appraisers for loans that are considered impaired
following the Corporation’s reappraisals policy. This policy
requires updated appraisals for loans secured by real estate
(including construction loans) either annually or every two
years depending on the total exposure of the borrower. As a
general
reviews
the Corporation
appraisals as part of the underwriting and approval process and
also for credits considered impaired.

procedure,

internally

and the

appraisal

requests

updated

reports

including interest accrued at

Troubled debt restructurings
A restructuring constitutes a TDR when the Corporation
separately concludes that both of the following conditions exist:
1) the restructuring constitute a concession and 2) the debtor is
experiencing financial difficulties. The concessions stem from
an agreement between the Corporation and the debtor or are
imposed by law or a court. These concessions could include a
reduction in the interest rate on the loan, payment extensions,
forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions intended
to maximize collection. A concession has been granted when, as
a result of the restructuring, the Corporation does not expect to
collect all amounts due,
the
original contract rate. If the payment of principal is dependent
on the value of collateral, the current value of the collateral is
taken into consideration in determining the amount of
principal to be collected; therefore, all factors that changed are
considered to determine if a concession was granted, including
the change in the fair value of the underlying collateral that
loan
may be used to repay the loan. Classification of
modifications as TDRs
judgment.
Indicators that the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties
which are considered include: (i) the borrower is currently in
default on any of its debt or it is probable that the borrower
would be in payment default on any of
in the
foreseeable future without the modification; (ii) the borrower
has declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy;
(iii) there is significant doubt as to whether the borrower will
continue to be a going concern; (iv) the borrower has securities

involves a degree of

its debt

that have been delisted, are in the process of being delisted, or
are under threat of being delisted from an exchange; (v) based
on estimates and projections that only encompass the borrower’s
current business capabilities, it is forecasted that the entity-
specific cash flows will be insufficient to service the debt (both
interest and principal) in accordance with the contractual terms
of the existing agreement through maturity; and (vi) absent the
current modification, the borrower cannot obtain funds from
sources other than the existing creditors at an effective interest
rate equal to the current market interest rate for similar debt for
a non-troubled debtor. The identification of TDRs is critical in
the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan
losses. Loans classified as TDRs may be excluded from TDR
status if performance under the restructured terms exists for a
sustained
reasonable period (at
performance) and the loan yields a market rate.

twelve months of

least

A loan may be restructured in a troubled debt restructuring
into two (or more) loan agreements, for example, Note A and
Note B. Note A represents the portion of the original loan
principal amount that is expected to be fully collected along
with contractual interest. Note B represents the portion of the
original
loan that may be considered uncollectible and
charged-off, but the obligation is not forgiven to the borrower.
Note A may be returned to accrual status provided all of the
conditions for a TDR to be returned to accrual status are met.
The modified loans are considered TDRs and thus, are
evaluated under the framework of ASC Section 310-10-35 as
long as the loans are not part of a pool of loans accounted for
under ASC Subtopic 310-30.

Refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for
the

additional
Corporation’s determination of the allowance for loan losses.

information

on TDRs

qualitative

and

Reserve for unfunded commitments
The reserve for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level
believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated
probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities and is
included in other liabilities in the consolidated statements of
financial condition. The determination of the adequacy of the
reserve is based upon an evaluation of the unfunded credit
facilities. Net adjustments
to the reserve for unfunded
commitments are included in other operating expenses in the
consolidated statements of operations.

FDIC loss share indemnification asset and true-up payment
obligation (contingent consideration)
The FDIC loss
initially
recorded at fair value. Fair value was estimated using projected
cash flows related to the loss sharing agreement.

share indemnification asset was

is measured
The FDIC loss share indemnification asset
separately from the related covered assets as
is not
contractually embedded in the assets and is not transferable
with the assets should the assets be sold.

it

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

97

are

recognized in non-interest

The FDIC loss share indemnification asset is recognized on
the same basis as the assets subject to loss share protection. As
such, for covered loans accounted pursuant to ASC Subtopic
310-30, decreases in expected reimbursements from the FDIC
due to improvements in expected cash flows to be received
from borrowers,
income
prospectively over the life of the FDIC loss sharing agreements.
For covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-20, as
the loan discount recorded as of the acquisition date is accreted
into income, a reduction of the related indemnification asset is
recorded as a reduction in non-interest income. Increases in
expected reimbursements from the FDIC are recognized in
non-interest income in the same period that the allowance for
credit losses for the related loans is recognized.

asset

The amortization or accretion due to discounting of the loss
share
sharing
in
reimbursements is included in non-interest income, particularly
in the category of FDIC loss share (expense) income.

expected

changes

loss

and

The true-up payment obligation associated with the loss
share agreements is accounted for at fair value in accordance
with ASC Section 805-30-25-6 as it is considered contingent
consideration. The true-up payment obligation is included as
part of other liabilities in the consolidated statements of
financial condition. Any changes in the carrying value of the
obligation are included in the category of FDIC loss share
(expense) income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Refer to Note 11 for additional information on the FDIC loss

share indemnification asset and true-up payment obligation.

Transfers and servicing of financial assets
The transfer of an entire financial asset, a group of entire
financial assets, or a participating interest in an entire financial
asset in which the Corporation surrenders control over the
assets is accounted for as a sale if all of the following conditions
set forth in ASC Topic 860 are met: (1) the assets must be
isolated from creditors of the transferor, (2) the transferee must
obtain the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking
advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred
assets, and (3) the transferor cannot maintain effective control
over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase
them before their maturity. When the Corporation transfers
financial assets and the transfer fails any one of these criteria,
the Corporation is prevented from derecognizing
the
transferred financial assets and the transaction is accounted for
as a secured borrowing. For federal and Puerto Rico income tax
purposes, the Corporation treats the transfers of loans which do
not qualify as “true sales” under the applicable accounting
guidance, as sales, recognizing a deferred tax asset or liability
on the transaction.

For transfers of financial assets that satisfy the conditions to
be accounted for as sales, the Corporation derecognizes all
recognizes all assets obtained and liabilities
assets
incurred in consideration as proceeds of the sale, including

sold;

98

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

servicing assets and servicing liabilities, if applicable; initially
measures at fair value assets obtained and liabilities incurred in
a sale; and recognizes in earnings any gain or loss on the sale.

The guidance on transfer of financial assets requires a true
sale analysis of the treatment of the transfer under state law as if
the Corporation was a debtor under the bankruptcy code. A
true sale legal analysis includes several legally relevant factors,
such as the nature and level of recourse to the transferor, and
the nature of retained interests in the loans sold. The analytical
conclusion as to a true sale is never absolute and unconditional,
but contains qualifications based on the inherent equitable
powers of a bankruptcy court, as well as the unsettled state of
the common law. Once the legal isolation test has been met,
other
the
factors concerning the nature and extent of
transferor’s control over the transferred assets are taken into
account in order to determine whether derecognition of assets
is warranted.

The Corporation sells mortgage loans to the Government
National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) in the normal course
of business and retains the servicing rights. The GNMA
programs under which the loans are sold allow the Corporation
to repurchase individual delinquent loans that meet certain
criteria. At the Corporation’s option, and without GNMA’s prior
authorization, the Corporation may repurchase the delinquent
loan for an amount equal to 100% of the remaining principal
balance of
the
unconditional ability to repurchase the delinquent loan, the
Corporation is deemed to have regained effective control over
the loan and recognizes the loan on its balance sheet as well as
an offsetting liability, regardless of the Corporation’s intent to
repurchase the loan.

the Corporation has

loan. Once

the

loans originated by others. Whenever

Servicing assets
The Corporation periodically sells or securitizes loans while
retaining the obligation to perform the servicing of such loans.
In addition, the Corporation may purchase or assume the right
to service
the
Corporation undertakes an obligation to service a loan,
management assesses whether a servicing asset or liability
should be recognized. A servicing asset is recognized whenever
the compensation for servicing is expected to more than
adequately compensate
for performing the
servicing. Likewise, a servicing liability would be recognized in
the event that servicing fees to be received are not expected to
adequately compensate the Corporation for its expected cost.
Mortgage servicing assets recorded at fair value are separately
presented on the consolidated statements of financial condition.
separately recognized servicing assets are initially
recognized at
fair value. For subsequent measurement of
servicing rights, the Corporation has elected the fair value
method for mortgage loans servicing rights (“MSRs”). Under
the fair value measurement method, MSRs are recorded at fair
value each reporting period, and changes in fair value are

servicer

the

All

reported in mortgage banking activities in the consolidated
statement of operations. Contractual servicing fees including
ancillary income and late fees, as well as fair value adjustments,
and impairment losses, if any, are reported in mortgage banking
activities in the consolidated statement of operations. Loan
servicing fees, which are based on a percentage of the principal
balances of the loans serviced, are credited to income as loan
payments are collected.

The fair value of servicing rights is estimated by using a cash
flow valuation model which calculates the present value of
taking into
estimated future net
consideration actual and expected loan prepayment rates,
discount rates, servicing costs, and other economic factors,
which are determined based on current market conditions.

servicing cash flows,

Premises and equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated
depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each type of
asset. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed
over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful
lives of
the improvements, whichever is shorter. Costs of
maintenance and repairs which do not improve or extend the
life of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. Costs of
renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are
disposed of, their cost and related accumulated depreciation are
removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in
earnings as realized or incurred, respectively.

incurred during

The Corporation capitalizes interest cost incurred in the
construction of significant real estate projects, which consist
primarily of facilities for its own use or intended for lease. The
amount of interest cost capitalized is to be an allocation of the
the period required to
interest
cost
substantially complete
for
interest
capitalization purposes is to be based on a weighted average
rate on the Corporation’s outstanding borrowings, unless there
is a specific new borrowing associated with the asset. Interest
cost capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015
and 2014 was not significant.

asset. The

rate

the

The Corporation has operating lease arrangements primarily
associated with the rental of premises to support its branch
these
network or
arrangements
rent
on
escalations
non-cancellable operating leases with scheduled rent increases
are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

space. Certain of
for
and provide
expense
Rent

for general office
are non-cancellable

options.

renewal

and

Impairment of long-lived assets
The Corporation evaluates for impairment its long-lived assets
to be held and used, and long-lived assets to be disposed of,
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Restructuring costs
A liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity
is recognized and measured initially at its fair value in the
period in which the liability is incurred. If future service is
required for employees to receive the one-time termination
benefit, the liability is initially measured at its fair value as of
the termination date and recognized over the future service
period.

Other real estate
Other real estate, received in satisfaction of a loan, is recorded
at fair value less estimated costs of disposal. The difference
between the carrying amount of the loan and the fair value less
cost to sell is recorded as an adjustment to the allowance for
to foreclosure, any losses in the
loan losses. Subsequent
the
carrying value arising from periodic re-evaluations of
properties, and any gains or losses on the sale of
these
properties are credited or charged to expense in the period
incurred and are included as OREO expenses. The cost of
maintaining and operating such properties is expensed as
incurred.

Updated appraisals are obtained to adjust the value of the
other real estate assets. The frequency depends on the loan type
and total credit exposure. The appraisal for a commercial or
construction other real estate property with a book value equal
to or greater than $1 million is updated annually and if lower
than $1 million it is updated every two years. For residential
mortgage properties,
the Corporation requests appraisals
annually.

to age,

adjusted due

Appraisals may be

collateral
inspections, property profiles, or general market conditions.
The adjustments applied are based upon internal information
such as other appraisals for the type of properties and/or loss
severity information that can provide historical trends in the
real estate market, and may change from time to time based on
market conditions.

Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill is recognized when the purchase price is higher than
the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations
under the purchase method of accounting. Goodwill is not
amortized, but is tested for impairment at least annually or
more frequently if events or circumstances indicate possible
impairment using a two-step process at each reporting unit
level. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to
identify potential
impairment, compares the fair value of a
reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If
the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount,
the goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired
and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If
needed, the second step consists of comparing the implied fair
value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount
of that goodwill. In determining the fair value of a reporting

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

99

unit, the Corporation generally uses a combination of methods,
which include market price multiples of comparable companies
and the discounted cash flow analysis. Goodwill impairment
losses are recorded as part of operating expenses in the
consolidated statement of operations.

Other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite life are
not amortized, but are tested for impairment using a one-step
process which compares the fair value with the carrying
amount of the asset. In determining that an intangible asset has
an indefinite life, the Corporation considers expected cash
competitive,
inflows
economic and other factors, which could limit the intangible
asset’s useful life.

contractual,

and legal,

regulatory,

Other identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life,
mainly core deposits, are amortized using various methods over
the periods benefited, which range from 5 to 10 years. These
intangibles are evaluated periodically for impairment when
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount may not be recoverable. Impairments on intangible
assets with a finite useful life are evaluated under the guidance
for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets.

Assets sold / purchased under agreements to repurchase /
resell
Repurchase and resell agreements are treated as collateralized
financing transactions and are carried at the amounts at which
the assets will be subsequently reacquired or resold as specified
in the respective agreements.

Guarantees, including indirect guarantees of indebtedness of
others
The Corporation, as a guarantor, recognizes at the inception of
a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation
undertaken in issuing the guarantee. Refer to Note 26 to the
consolidated financial statements for further disclosures on
guarantees.

Treasury stock
Treasury stock is recorded at cost and is carried as a reduction
of stockholders’ equity in the consolidated statements of
financial condition. At the date of retirement or subsequent
reissue, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of
such stock. At retirement, the excess of the cost of the treasury
stock over its par value is recorded entirely to surplus. At
reissuance, the difference between the consideration received
upon issuance and the specific cost is charged or credited to
surplus.

Income Recognition - Insurance agency business
Commissions and fees are recognized when related policies are
effective. Additional premiums and rate adjustments are
recorded as they occur. Contingent commissions are recorded
on an accrual basis when the amount to be received is notified
by the insurance company. Commission income from advance
business is deferred. An allowance is created for expected
to policy
adjustments
cancellations.

to commissions

earned relating

to

agreements

resell. However,

It is the Corporation’s policy to take possession of securities
purchased under
the
counterparties to such agreements maintain effective control
over such securities, and accordingly those securities are not
reflected in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of
financial condition. The Corporation monitors the fair value of
the underlying securities as compared to the related receivable,
including accrued interest.

It is the Corporation’s policy to maintain effective control
over assets sold under agreements to repurchase; accordingly,
such securities continue to be carried on the consolidated
statements of financial condition.

The Corporation may require counterparties to deposit
return collateral pledged, when

collateral or

additional
appropriate.

stated at cost,

Software
Capitalized software is
less accumulated
amortization. Capitalized software includes purchased software
and capitalizable application development costs associated with
internally-developed software. Amortization, computed on a
straight-line method,
the
estimated useful life of the software. Capitalized software is
included in “Other assets” in the consolidated statement of
financial condition.

is charged to operations over

100 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

is

revenue

banking

Income Recognition - Investment banking revenues and
commissions
follows:
Investment
underwriting fees at the time the underwriting is completed and
income is reasonably determinable; corporate finance advisory
fees as earned, according to the terms of the specific contracts;
and sales commissions on a trade-date basis. Commission
income
securities
transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis.

and expenses

related to

customers’

recorded

as

Foreign exchange
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are
translated to U.S. dollars using prevailing rates of exchange at
the end of the period. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are
translated using weighted average rates for the period. The
resulting
from
operations for which the functional currency is other than the
U.S. dollar is reported in accumulated other comprehensive
loss, except for highly inflationary environments in which the
effects are included in other operating expenses.

translation adjustment

foreign currency

The Corporation holds interests in Centro Financiero BHD
León, S.A. (“BHD León”) in the Dominican Republic. The
business of BHD León is mainly conducted in their country’s
foreign currency. The resulting foreign currency translation

adjustment from these operations is reported in accumulated
other comprehensive loss.

Refer to the disclosure of accumulated other comprehensive

The Corporation accounts for the taxes collected from
customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net
basis (excluded from revenues).

loss included in Note 25.

Income taxes
The Corporation recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities
for the expected future tax consequences of events that have
been recognized in the Corporation’s financial statements or tax
returns. Deferred income
are
determined for differences between financial statement and tax
bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or
deductible amounts in the future. The computation is based on
enacted tax laws and rates applicable to periods in which the
temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

and liabilities

tax assets

The guidance for income taxes requires a reduction of the
carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation
allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely
than not (defined as a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that
such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to
establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed
periodically by the Corporation based on the more likely than
not realization threshold criterion. In the assessment for a
valuation allowance, appropriate consideration is given to all
positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the
deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other
matters, all sources of taxable income available to realize the
deferred tax asset,
including the future reversal of existing
temporary differences, the future taxable income exclusive of
taxable
reversing temporary differences and carryforwards,
income in carryback years and tax-planning strategies.
In
is given to
making such assessments,
evidence that can be objectively verified.

significant weight

The valuation of deferred tax assets requires judgment in
assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have
been recognized in the Corporation’s financial statements or tax
returns and future profitability. The Corporation’s accounting
for deferred tax consequences represents management’s best
estimate of those future events.

to

by

taxing

challenge

Such tax positions

Positions taken in the Corporation’s tax returns may be
subject
authorities upon
the
examination. Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in
the financial statements when it is more likely than not the
position will be sustained upon examination by the tax
authorities.
and
subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that
is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement
with the tax authority, assuming full knowledge of the position
and all relevant facts. Interest on income tax uncertainties is
classified within income tax expense in the statement of
operations; while the penalties, if any, are accounted for as
other operating expenses.

are both initially

Income tax expense or benefit for the year is allocated
among continuing operations, discontinued operations, and
other comprehensive income, as applicable. The amount
allocated to continuing operations is the tax effect of the pre-tax
income or loss from continuing operations that occurred during
the year, plus or minus income tax effects of (a) changes in
circumstances that cause a change in judgment about the
realization of deferred tax assets in future years, (b) changes in
tax
and
(d) tax-deductible dividends paid to shareholders, subject to
certain exceptions.

changes

in tax

status,

rates,

laws

(c)

or

Employees’ retirement and other postretirement benefit
plans
Pension costs are computed on the basis of accepted actuarial
methods and are charged to current operations. Net pension
costs are based on various actuarial assumptions regarding
future experience under the plan, which include costs for
services rendered during the period, interest costs and return
on plan assets, as well as deferral and amortization of certain
items such as actuarial gains or losses.

The funding policy is to contribute to the plan, as necessary,
to provide for services to date and for those expected to be
earned in the future. To the extent that these requirements are
fully covered by assets in the plan, a contribution may not be
made in a particular year.

The cost of postretirement benefits, which is determined
based on actuarial assumptions and estimates of the costs of
providing these benefits in the future, is accrued during the
years that the employee renders the required service.

The guidance for compensation retirement benefits of ASC
Topic 715 requires the recognition of the funded status of each
defined pension benefit plan, retiree health care and other
postretirement benefit plans on the statement of
financial
condition.

Stock-based compensation
The Corporation opted to use the fair value method of
recording stock-based compensation as described in the
guidance for employee share plans in ASC Subtopic 718-50.

Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity
of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and
other events and circumstances, except those resulting from
investments by owners and distributions to owners. The
presentation of comprehensive income (loss) is included in
separate consolidated statements of comprehensive income
(loss).

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 101

Net income (loss) per common share
Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing
net
income (loss) adjusted for preferred stock dividends,
including undeclared or unpaid dividends if cumulative, and
charges or credits related to the extinguishment of preferred
stock or induced conversions of preferred stock, by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the year. Diluted income per common share takes into
consideration the weighted average common shares adjusted for
the effect of stock options, restricted stock, performance shares
and warrants, if any, using the treasury stock method.

Statement of cash flows
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash includes cash on
hand and amounts due from banks.

Note 4 - New accounting pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Updates

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02,
Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic
220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The FASB issued ASU 2018-02 in February 2018, which allow a
reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income
to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These stranded tax effects result from
recognizing in income the impact of changes in tax rates even
when the related tax effects were recognized in accumulated
other comprehensive income. The amendments also require
certain disclosures about stranded tax effects.

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

As of December 31, 2017, the Corporation maintained a full
valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets, which were
recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income related
to its U.S. operations. As such, the Corporation does not
anticipate that the adoption of this accounting pronouncement
will have a material impact on its consolidated statements of
financial condition and results of operations. However, the
Corporation will continue to evaluate the impact of this ASU
until its planned adoption date of January 1, 2019.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-01,
Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for
Transition to Topic 842
The FASB issued ASU 2018-01 in January 2018, which provides
an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate under
Topic 842 existing or expired land easements that were not
previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840. An entity that
elects this practical expedient should evaluate new or modified
land easements under Topic 842 after the effective date.

102 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

The Corporation does not anticipate that the adoption of
this accounting pronouncement will have a material effect on
its consolidated statements of financial condition and results of
operations since it does not have any land easements that have
not been previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840.

accounting

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-12,
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted
Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
The FASB issued ASU 2017-12 in August 2017, which makes
more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for
assess
hedge
effectiveness
the
other
requirement for entities to recognize hedge ineffectiveness each
reporting period for
and requiring
presentation of the changes in fair value of cash flow hedges in
the same income statement line item(s) as the earnings effect of
the hedged items when the hedged item affects earnings.

and changes how companies

cash flow hedges

eliminating

things,

among

by,

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The
amendments in this Update should be applied using a modified
retrospective approach as of the adoption date.

The Corporation will be impacted by the simplified
application of hedge accounting. The Corporation does not
anticipate that the adoption of this accounting pronouncement
will have a material effect on its consolidated statements of
financial condition and results of operations since hedge
ineffectiveness has been immaterial to the Corporation and the
earnings effect of the hedges and the hedged items are already
presented in the same income statement line item.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-11,
Earnings per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities
from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic
815): Part I: Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments
with Down Round Features; Part II: Replacement of the
Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial
Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a
Scope Exception
The FASB issued ASU 2017-11 in July 2017, which changes the
classification analysis
certain equity-linked financial
instruments with down round features. When determining
whether these instruments should be classified as liabilities or
equity, a down round feature no longer precludes equity
classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed
to an entity’s own stock. For EPS purposes, the effect of the
down round feature should be recognized as a dividend when
triggered.

of

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The
amendments in this Update may be applied using either a
modified retrospective
retrospective
approach or
approach.

full

a

The Corporation does not anticipate that the adoption of
this accounting pronouncement will have a material effect on
its consolidated statements of financial condition and results of
operations since it does not have any outstanding equity-linked
financial instruments with a down round feature.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-09,
Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of
Modification Accounting
The FASB issued ASU 2017-09 in May 2017, which clarifies
that modification accounting is required only if the fair value,
the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as
equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or
conditions.

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The
amendments in this Update should be applied prospectively to
an award modified on or after the adoption date.

The Corporation does not anticipate that the adoption of
this accounting pronouncement will have a material effect on
its consolidated statements of financial condition and results of
operations since it is not customary for the Corporation to
modify the terms or conditions of its share-based payment
awards.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-08,
Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic
310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt
Securities
The FASB issued ASU 2017-08 in March 2017, which amends
the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held
at a premium by shortening such period to the earliest call date.
The amendments do not require an accounting change for
securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be
amortized to maturity.

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The
amendments in this Update should be applied on a modified
retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment
to
retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption.
The Corporation does not anticipate that the adoption of
this accounting pronouncement will have a material effect on
its consolidated statements of financial condition and results of
operations since the premium of purchased callable debt
securities is not significant.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-07,
Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving
the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net
Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
The FASB issued ASU 2017-07 in March 2017, which requires
that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from
the other components of net benefit cost. The amendments also
provide guidance on how to present the service cost component
and the other components of net benefit cost in the income
statement and allow only the service cost component of net
benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization.

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2017. The amendments in this Update should be
applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost
component and other components of net benefit cost and
prospectively for
cost
component.

capitalization of

service

the

the

The Corporation does not expect that the limitation to
capitalize only the service cost component of the net periodic
benefit cost will have a material impact on its consolidated
statement of operations. Upon adoption, the Corporation will
segregate the presentation of the service cost from the other
components of net periodic benefit costs, all which are
currently reported within personnel costs in its accompanying
consolidated statement of operations.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-05, Other
Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of
Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope
of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial
Sales of Nonfinancial Assets
The FASB issued ASU 2017-05 in February 2017, which, among
the derecognition of
other
things, clarifies the scope of
nonfinancial assets, the definition of
in substance financial
sales of
assets, and impacts
nonfinancial assets by requiring full gain recognition upon the
sale.

the accounting for partial

The amendments of these Updates are effective for fiscal
years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning
after December 15, 2017.

The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact that the
this guidance will have on its consolidated

adoption of
statements of financial condition and results of operations.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-04,
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the
Accounting for Goodwill Impairment
The FASB issued ASU 2017-04 in January 2017, which
simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing
Step 2 of the two-step goodwill impairment test under the
impairment will now be the
current guidance. Goodwill
amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 103

fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.
Entities will be required to disclose the amount of goodwill at
reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.

The amendments of this Update, which should be applied
on a prospective basis, are effective for annual or any interim
goodwill
tests in fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or
annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates
after January 1, 2017.

impairment

Upon adoption of this standard, if the carrying amount of
the
any of
Corporation would be required to record an impairment charge
for the difference up to the amount of the goodwill.

the reporting units exceeds

fair value,

its

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-03,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250) and
Investments- Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323):
Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff
Announcements at the September 22, 2016 and
November 17, 2016 EITF Meetings (SEC Update)
The FASB issued ASU 2017-03 in January 2017, which
incorporates into the Accounting Standards Codification recent
SEC guidance about certain investments in qualified affordable
housing and disclosing under SEC SAB Topic 11.M the effect
on financial statements of adopting the revenue, leases and
credit losses standards.

The Corporation has considered the guidance in this Update
related to the disclosure on the effect on financial statements of
adopting the revenue, leases and credit losses standards in the
preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-01,
Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition
of a Business
The FASB issued ASU 2017-01 in January 2017, which revises
the definition of a business by providing an initial screen to
determine when an integrated set of assets and activities (“set”)
is not a business. Also, the amendments, among other things,
specify the minimum inputs and processes required for a set to
meet the definition of a business when the initial screen is not
met and narrow the definition of the term output so that the
term is consistent with Topic 606.

The amendments of this Update, which should be applied
on a prospective basis, are effective for fiscal years, and interim
periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15,
2017. Early adoption is permitted.

The Corporation will consider this guidance in any business

combinations completed after the effective date.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-18,
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash
The FASB issued ASU 2016-18 in November 2016, which
require entities to present the changes in total cash, cash

104 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in
the statement of cash flows. The new guidance also requires a
reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the
related captions in the balance sheet if restricted cash and
restricted cash equivalents are presented in a different line item
in the balance sheet.

The amendments of this Update, which should be applied
using a retrospective transition method to each period
presented, are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods
within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017.
Early adoption is permitted.

The adoption of this standard will change the presentation

in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-16,
Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets
Other Than Inventory
The FASB issued ASU 2016-16 in October 2016, which
eliminates the exception for all intra-entity sales of assets other
than inventory that requires deferral of the tax effects until the
transferred asset is sold to a third party or otherwise recovered
through use. The new guidance requires a reporting entity to
recognize the tax expense from the sale of the asset in the
seller’s tax jurisdiction when the transfer occurs, even though
the pre-tax effects of
transaction are eliminated in
consolidation. Any deferred tax asset that arises in the buyer’s
jurisdiction would also be recognized at the time of the transfer.
The amendments of this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, but
the
guidance can only be adopted in the first interim period of a
fiscal year. The modified retrospective approach will be
required for transition to the new guidance, with a cumulative-
effect adjustment recorded in retained earnings as of
the
beginning of the period of adoption.

that

The Corporation does not anticipate that the adoption of
this accounting pronouncement will have a material effect on
its consolidated statements of financial condition and results of
operations. Therefore,
this
guidance in any intra-entity transfers of assets other than
inventory completed after the effective date.

the Corporation will consider

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15,
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of
Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
The FASB issued ASU 2016-15 in August 2016, which
addresses specific cash flow issues with the objective of
reducing existing diversity in practice, which may lead to a
difference
transactions between
operating, financing or investing activities. Among other things,
the guidance provides an accounting policy election for
classifying distributions received from equity method investees
and clarifies the application of the predominance principle.

classification of

in the

The amendments of this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. Entities will
be required to apply the guidance retrospectively to all periods
presented, unless it is impracticable to do so.

The Corporation does not anticipate that the adoption of
this accounting pronouncement will have a material effect on
its consolidated statements of cash flows.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13,
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326):
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
The FASB issued ASU 2016-13 in June 2016, which replaces the
incurred loss model with a current expected credit
loss
(“CECL”) model. The CECL model applies to financial assets
subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and
certain off-balance sheet exposures. Under current U.S. GAAP,
an entity reflects credit losses on financial assets measured on
an amortized cost basis only when losses are probable and have
been incurred, generally considering only past events and
current conditions
in making these determinations. ASU
2016-13 prospectively replaces this approach with a forward-
looking methodology that reflects the expected credit losses
over the lives of financial assets, starting when such assets are
first acquired. Under the revised methodology, credit losses will
be measured based on past events, current conditions and
the
reasonable
collectability of financial assets. ASU 2016-13 also revises the
approach to recognizing credit
losses for available-for-sale
securities by replacing the direct write-down approach with the
allowance approach and limiting the allowance to the amount
at which the security’s fair value is less than the amortized cost.
In addition, ASU 2016-13 provides that the initial allowance for
credit losses on purchased credit impaired financial assets will
be recorded as an increase to the purchase price, with
subsequent changes to the allowance recorded as a credit loss
expense.

supportable

forecasts

affect

that

and

ASU 2016-13

requirements
regarding an entity’s assumptions, models and methods for
estimating the allowance for credit losses.

expands disclosure

also

The amendments of this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted as of January 1,
2019.

continued its

The Corporation has

evaluation and
implementation efforts for ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments
– Credit Losses, and has established a cross-discipline
governance structure. A CECL Working Group, with members
from different areas within the organization, has been created
and assigned the responsibility of assessing the impact of the
issues,
standard,
evaluating the
the new guidance to
current credit
related
other
determine

evaluating interpretative
loss models against

necessary

changes

and

any

implementation activities. The Working Group provides
periodic updates to the CECL Steering Committee, which has
oversight responsibilities for the implementation efforts.

The Corporation plans to adopt ASU 2016-13 on January 1,
2020 using a modified retrospective approach. Although early
adoption is permitted beginning in the first quarter of 2019, the
to make that election. The
Corporation does not expect
Corporation expects an increase in its allowance for loan and
lease losses due to the consideration of lifetime credit losses as
part of the calculation.

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02,
Leases (Topic 842)
The FASB issued ASU 2016-02 in February 2016, which
supersedes ASC Topic 840 and sets out the principles for the
recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases
for both lessors and lessees. The new standard requires lessees
to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or
operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the
lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This
classification will determine whether
is
recognized based on an effective interest method or on a
straight-line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A
lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset (“ROU”)
and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12
months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of
12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing
guidance for operating leases today. The new standard requires
leases using an approach that
lessors to account
is
for
substantially equivalent
to existing guidance for sales-type
leases, direct financing leases and operating leases.

expense

lease

The amendments of this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

The ASU is

the Corporation’s
expected to impact
consolidated financial statements since the Corporation has
operating and land lease arrangements for which it is the lessee.
Although the Corporation is still evaluating the impact that the
adoption of this accounting pronouncement will have on its
consolidated financial statements, preliminarily it expects that
the amounts to be recognized as ROU assets and lease liabilities
will be less than 1% of its total assets and will not have a
material impact on its regulatory capital.

FASB Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”), Revenue
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
The FASB has issued a series of ASUs which, among other
things, clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and
develop a common revenue standard. The core principle of the
guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict
the transfer of promised goods or services,
the
satisfaction of performance obligations, to customers in an
amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity

that

is,

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 105

the Corporation does not have any financial
Currently,
the
the fair value option.
liabilities under
Corporation does not expect to be significantly impacted by the
changes in the accounting for equity investments under the
revised guidance.

In addition,

Note 5 - Restrictions on cash and due from banks and
certain securities
The Corporation’s banking subsidiaries, BPPR and BPNA, are
required by federal and state regulatory agencies to maintain
average reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York (the “Fed”) or other banks. Those required average
reserve balances amounted to $ 1.4 billion at December 31,
2017 (December 31, 2016 - $ 1.2 billion). Cash and due from
banks, as well as other highly liquid securities, are used to
cover the required average reserve balances.

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation held $41 million in
restricted assets in the form of
funds deposited in money
market accounts, trading account securities and investment
securities available for sale (December 31, 2016 - $31 million).
The amounts held in trading account securities and investment
securities available for sale consist primarily of restricted assets
held for the Corporation’s non-qualified retirement plans and
fund deposits guaranteeing possible liens or encumbrances over
the title of insured properties.

Note 6 - Securities purchased under agreements to resell
The securities purchased underlying the agreements to resell
were delivered to, and are held by, the Corporation. The
counterparties to such agreements maintain effective control
over such securities. The Corporation is permitted by contract
to repledge the securities, and has agreed to resell to the
counterparties the same or substantially similar securities at the
maturity of the agreements.
The fair value of

the collateral securities held by the
Corporation on these transactions at December 31, was as
follows:

(In thousands)

Not repledged

Total

2017

2016

$–

$–

$27,388

$27,388

expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. A
five-step process is defined to achieve this core principle. The
new guidance also requires disclosures to enable users of
financial statements to understand the nature, timing, and
uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts
with customers.

The amendments of these Updates are effective for fiscal
years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning
after December 15, 2017.

considerations.

The Corporation’s implementation efforts regarding ASU
2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, included a
scoping analysis of revenue streams and related costs, reviewing
the associated contracts, evaluating the timing of when
revenues are currently being recognized in light of when the
performance obligations are fulfilled and assessing principal vs.
agent
its
implementation efforts during the fourth quarter of 2017. There
will be no material changes in the timing of when revenues are
recognized. Although there will be changes on the presentation
of certain costs in the broker-dealer subsidiary, these changes in
presentation are not material to the Corporation’s financial
statements. The Corporation adopted this guidance on
January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach.

The Corporation

concluded

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-01,
Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities
The FASB issued ASU 2016-01 in January 2016, which
primarily affects the accounting for equity investments and
financial
liabilities under the fair value option as follows:
require equity investments (except those accounted for under
the equity method of accounting or those that result
in
consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with
changes in fair value recognized in net income; simplify the
impairment assessment of equity investments without readily
determinable fair values; require changes in fair value due to
instrument-specific credit risk to be presented separately in
other comprehensive income for financial liabilities under the
fair value option; and clarify that the need for a valuation
allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale
securities should be evaluated in combination with the entity’s
other deferred tax assets. In addition, the ASU also impacts the
financial
presentation
instruments.

requirements

disclosure

and

of

The amendments of this Update are effective for fiscal years,
and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2017. Early adoption can only be elected for the
provision to record credit-related fair value changes
for
financial liabilities under the fair value option through other
comprehensive income for those financial statements of fiscal
years and interim periods that have not yet been issued.

106 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Note 7 - Investment securities available-for-sale
The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, approximate fair value, weighted average yield
and contractual maturities of investment securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

U.S. Treasury securities

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years

Total U.S. Treasury securities

Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years

Total obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities

Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions

After 1 to 5 years

Total obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions

Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies

Mortgage-backed securities

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total mortgage-backed securities

Equity securities (without contractual maturity)

Other

After 5 to 10 years

Total other

At December 31, 2017
Gross
unrealized
losses

Gross
unrealized
gains

Fair
value

Weighted
average
yield

$

8
–
281

289

21
22

43

–

–

–
173
57
2,789

3,019

8
206
2,390
19,493

22,097

776

13

13

$ 2,101
26,319
191

$ 1,110,698
2,523,797
293,669

1.06%
1.55
2.24

28,611

3,928,164

1.46

818
3,518

4,336

59

59

–
75
526
26,431

27,032

–
211
3,765
69,071

73,047

–

–

–

275,507
333,426

608,933

6,609

6,609

40
17,070
35,717
890,926

943,753

492
14,594
337,786
4,335,790

4,688,662

1,815

802

802

1.26
1.48

1.38

2.30

2.30

2.60
2.90
2.31
2.01

2.03

4.23
3.50
2.21
2.46

2.44

8.21

3.62

3.62

Amortized
cost

$ 1,112,791
2,550,116
293,579

3,956,486

276,304
336,922

613,226

6,668

6,668

40
16,972
36,186
914,568

967,766

484
14,599
339,161
4,385,368

4,739,612

1,039

789

789

Total investment securities available-for-sale[1]

$10,285,586

$26,237

$133,085

$10,178,738

1.96%

[1]

Includes $6.6 billion pledged to secure public and trust deposits, assets sold under agreements to repurchase, credit facilities and loan servicing agreements that the
secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral, of which $5.6 billion serve as collateral for public funds.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 107

(In thousands)

U.S. Treasury securities

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years

Total U.S. Treasury securities

Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years

Total obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities

Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions

After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions

Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies

Mortgage-backed securities

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total mortgage-backed securities

Equity securities (without contractual maturity)

Other

Within 1 year
After 5 to 10 years

Total other

At December 31, 2016
Gross
unrealized
losses

Gross
unrealized
gains

Fair
value

Weighted
average
yield

Amortized
cost

$ 844,002
1,300,729

$ 1,254
214

$

2,144,731

1,468

100,050
613,293
200

713,543

6,419
5,000
17,605

29,024

13
18,524
39,178
1,180,686

1,238,401

55
19,960
317,185
3,805,675

4,142,875

1,246

8,539
1,004

9,543

102
710
–

812

–
–
–

–

–
429
428
6,313

7,170

1
537
3,701
28,772

33,011

876

11
31

42

28
9,551

9,579

–
2,505
–

2,505

161
1,550
4,542

6,253

–
28
61
23,956

24,045

–
43
1,721
68,790

70,554

–

–
–

–

$ 845,228
1,291,392

1.00%
1.11

2,136,620

1.06

100,152
611,498
200

711,850

6,258
3,450
13,063

22,771

13
18,925
39,545
1,163,043

1,221,526

56
20,454
319,165
3,765,657

4,105,332

2,122

8,550
1,035

9,585

0.98
1.38
5.64

1.32

2.89
3.80
7.09

5.60

1.23
2.89
2.68
1.99

2.02

4.76
3.86
2.29
2.47

2.46

7.94

1.78
3.62

1.97

Total investment securities available-for-sale[1]

$8,279,363

$43,379

$112,936

$8,209,806

1.94%

[1]

Includes $4.1 billion pledged to secure public and trust deposits, assets sold under agreements to repurchase, credit facilities and loan servicing agreements that the
secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral, of which $3.4 billion serve as collateral for public funds.

The weighted average yield on investment

securities
available-for-sale is based on amortized cost; therefore, it does
not give effect to changes in fair value.

The following table presents the aggregate amortized cost
investment securities available-for-sale at

and fair value of
December 31, 2017 by contractual maturity.

Securities not due on a single contractual maturity date,
such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage
obligations, are classified in the period of final contractual
maturity. The expected maturities of collateralized mortgage
obligations, mortgage-backed securities and certain other
securities may differ from their contractual maturities because
they may be subject to prepayments or may be called by the
issuer.

(In thousands)
Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total
Equity securities

Total investment securities

available-for-sale

Amortized cost

Fair value

$ 1,389,619
2,925,277
669,715
5,299,936

10,284,547
1,039

$ 1,386,737
2,895,496
667,974
5,226,716

10,176,923
1,815

$10,285,586

$10,178,738

108 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
sold equity securities and obligations from the Puerto Rico
government and its political subdivisions. The proceeds from
these sales were $ 15.0 million. During the year ended
December 31, 2016, the Corporation sold mortgage-backed
securities, equity securities and obligations from the Puerto
Rico government and its political subdivisions. The proceeds
from these sales were $ 5.3 million. Gross realized gains and
losses on the sale of investment securities available-for-sale for

the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as
follows:

(In thousands)

Gross realized gains
Gross realized losses

Net realized gains on sale of
investment securities
available-for-sale

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

$346
(12)

$378
–

$226
(85)

$334

$378

$141

The following tables present the Corporation’s fair value and gross unrealized losses of investment securities available-for-sale,
aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position,
at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Less than 12 months
Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value

U.S. Treasury securities
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
Mortgage-backed securities

$2,608,473
214,670
6,609
153,336
1,515,295

$14,749
1,108
59
2,110
12,529

Total investment securities available-for-sale in an unrealized

At December 31, 2017
12 months or more
Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value

$1,027,066
376,807
–
595,339
2,652,359

$ 13,862
3,228
–
24,922
60,518

Total

Fair
value

$3,635,539
591,477
6,609
748,675
4,167,654

Gross
unrealized
losses

$ 28,611
4,336
59
27,032
73,047

loss position

$4,498,383

$30,555

$4,651,571

$102,530

$9,149,954

$133,085

(In thousands)

U.S. Treasury securities
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
Mortgage-backed securities

Total investment securities available-for-sale in an unrealized

Less than 12 months
Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value

$1,162,110
430,273
6,258
505,503
3,537,606

$ 9,579
2,426
161
8,112
70,173

At December 31, 2016
12 months or more
Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value

$

–
3,126
16,512
339,236
15,113

$

–
79
6,092
15,933
381

Total

Fair
value

$1,162,110
433,399
22,770
844,739
3,552,719

Gross
unrealized
losses

$ 9,579
2,505
6,253
24,045
70,554

loss position

$5,641,750

$90,451

$373,987

$22,485

$6,015,737

$112,936

As of December 31, 2017, the available-for-sale investment
portfolio reflects gross unrealized losses of approximately
$133 million, driven mainly by U.S. Treasury securities,
collateralized mortgage obligations,
and mortgage-backed
securities.

Management evaluates investment securities for other-than-
temporary (“OTTI”) declines in fair value on a quarterly basis.
Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-
temporary,
the value of a debt security is reduced and a
corresponding charge to earnings is recognized for anticipated
credit losses. Also, for equity securities that are considered
other-than-temporarily impaired, the excess of the security’s

carrying value over its fair value at the evaluation date is
accounted for as a loss in the results of operations. The OTTI
to consider various factors,
analysis requires management
which include, but are not limited to: (1) the length of time and
the extent to which fair value has been less than the amortized
cost basis, (2) the financial condition of the issuer or issuers,
(3) actual collateral attributes, (4) the payment structure of the
debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make
payments,
(5) any rating changes by a rating agency,
(6) adverse conditions specifically related to the security,
industry, or a geographic area, and (7) management’s intent to
sell the debt security or whether it is more likely than not that

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 109

the Corporation would be required to sell the debt security
before a forecasted recovery occurs.

At December 31, 2017, management performed its quarterly
analysis of all debt securities in an unrealized loss position.
Based on the analysis performed, management concluded that
no individual debt
security was other-than-temporarily
impaired as of such date. During the quarter ended June 30,
2017,
the Corporation recognized an other-than-temporary
impairment charge of $8.3 million on Puerto Rico Sales Tax
Financing Corporation (“COFINA”) bonds
classified as
subsequently sold by the
available-for-sale. These were
Corporation during the third quarter of 2017, at a gain of
approximately $0.1 million.

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation did not have the
intent to sell debt securities in an unrealized loss position and it
was not more likely than not that the Corporation would have
to sell the investments securities prior to recovery of their
amortized cost basis.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Corporation
recognized an other-than-temporary impairment charge of
$209 thousand on an investment security available-for-sale
classified as obligations from Puerto Rico government and its
fiscal and economic
political
situation, together with, among other factors, the moratorium
declared on the payment of principal and interest on

subdivisions. Puerto Rico’s

recorded, was

obligations of certain Puerto Rico government
securities,
including those issued or guaranteed by the Commonwealth,
led management to conclude that the unrealized losses on this
security was other-than-temporary. The security, for which an
other-than-temporary impairment was
sold
during the fourth quarter of 2016, resulting in a realized gain of
$30 thousand. The proceeds from this sale were $882 thousand.
The following table states the name of issuers, and the
aggregate amortized cost and fair value of the securities of such
issuer
held-to-maturity
in which the aggregate amortized cost of such
securities),
securities
equity. This
exceeds
information excludes securities backed by the full faith and
credit of
the U.S. Government. Investments in obligations
issued by a state of the U.S. and its political subdivisions and
agencies, which are payable and secured by the same source of
revenue or taxing authority, other than the U.S. Government,
are considered securities of a single issuer.

available-for-sale

stockholders’

(includes

10% of

and

2017

2016

(In
thousands)

FNMA
Freddie Mac

Amortized
cost

$3,621,537
1,358,708

Fair value

$3,572,474
1,335,685

Amortized
cost

$3,255,844
1,381,197

Fair value

$3,211,443
1,361,933

Note 8 - Investment securities held-to-maturity
The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, approximate fair value, weighted average yield
and contractual maturities of investment securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions

Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies

After 5 to 10 years

Total collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies

Other

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years

Total other

At December 31, 2017

Amortized
cost

Gross
unrealized
gains

Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value

Weighted
average
yield

$ 3,295
15,485
29,240
44,734

92,754

67

67

500
500

1,000

$

–
–
–
3,834

3,834

$

79
4,143
8,905
222

$ 3,216
11,342
20,335
48,346

5.96%
6.05
3.89
1.93

13,349

83,239

3.38

4

4

–
–

–

–

–

7
–

7

71

71

493
500

993

5.45

5.45

1.96
2.97

2.47

Total investment securities held-to-maturity [1]

$93,821

$3,838

$13,356

$84,303

3.37%

[1]

Includes $92.8 million pledged to secure public and trust deposits that the secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral.

110 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

(In thousands)
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies

After 5 to 10 years

Total collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
Other

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years

Total other
Total investment securities held-to-maturity [1]

At December 31, 2016

Amortized
cost

Gross
unrealized
gains

Gross
unrealized
losses

Fair
value

$ 1,865
8,583
10,869
52,223
73,540

Weighted
average
yield

5.90%
6.02
6.20
1.91
3.49

$ 1,240
5,957
7,766
8,892
23,855

–
–

78
78

5.45
5.45

3
39
42
$23,897

997
961
1,958
$75,576

1.65
2.44
2.05
3.46%

$ 3,105
14,540
18,635
59,747
96,027

74
74

1,000
1,000
2,000
$98,101

$

–
–
–
1,368
1,368

4
4

–
–
–
$1,372

[1]

Includes $53.1 million pledged to secure public and trust deposits that the secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral.

Securities not due on a single contractual maturity date,
such as collateralized mortgage obligations, are classified in the
period of final contractual maturity. The expected maturities of

collateralized mortgage obligations and certain other securities
may differ from their contractual maturities because they may
be subject to prepayments or may be called by the issuer.

The following table presents the aggregate amortized cost and fair value of

investment securities held-to-maturity at

December 31, 2017 by contractual maturity.

(In thousands)
Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years
Total investment securities held-to-maturity

Amortized cost Fair value
$ 3,709
11,842
20,406
48,346
$84,303

$ 3,795
15,985
29,307
44,734
$93,821

The following tables present the Corporation’s fair value and gross unrealized losses of investment securities held-to-maturity,
aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position,
at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

(In thousands)
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Other
Total investment securities held-to-maturity in an unrealized loss

position

(In thousands)
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Other
Total investment securities held-to-maturity in an unrealized loss

Less than 12 months

At December 31, 2017
12 months or more

Total

Fair
value
$–
–

Gross
unrealized
losses
$–
–

Fair
value
$35,696
743

Gross
unrealized
losses
$13,349
7

Fair
value
$35,696
743

Gross
unrealized
losses
$13,349
7

$–

$–

$36,439

$13,356

$36,439

$13,356

Less than 12 months

Fair
value
$31,294
491

Gross
unrealized
losses
$1,702
9

At December 31, 2016
12 months or more

Total

Fair
value
$30,947
1,217

Gross
unrealized
losses
$22,153
33

Fair
value
$62,241
1,708

Gross
unrealized
losses
$23,855
42

position

$31,785

$1,711

$32,164

$22,186

$63,949

$23,897

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 111

As indicated in Note 7 to these Consolidated Financial
Statements, management evaluates investment securities for
OTTI declines in fair value on a quarterly basis.

The “Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political
subdivisions” classified as held-to-maturity at December 31,
2017 are primarily associated with securities
issued by
municipalities of Puerto Rico and are generally not rated by a
credit rating agency. This includes $49 million of general and
special obligation bonds issued by three municipalities of
Puerto Rico, which are payable primarily from, and have a lien
on, certain property taxes imposed by the issuing municipality.
In the case of general obligations, they also benefit from a
pledge of the full faith, credit and unlimited taxing power of the
issuing municipality and issuing municipalities are required by
law to levy property taxes in an amount sufficient for the
payment of debt service on such general obligations bonds.

The portfolio also includes approximately $44 million in
securities for which the underlying source of payment is not the
central government, but in which a government instrumentality
provides a guarantee in the event of default. The Corporation
performs periodic credit quality reviews on these issuers. Based
on the quarterly analysis performed, management concluded
that no individual debt security held-to-maturity was other-
than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2017. Further
deterioration of the fiscal crisis of the Government of Puerto
Rico or of Puerto Rico’s economy could further affect the value
of these securities, resulting in losses to the Corporation. The
securities
Corporation does not have the intent
held-to-maturity and it
the
that
Corporation will not have to sell these investment securities
prior to recovery of their amortized cost basis.

to sell
is more likely than not

Refer

to Note 27 for additional

information on the

Corporation’s exposure to the Puerto Rico Government.

on

for

pools

based

aggregated

Note 9 - Loans
Loans acquired in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction,
except
lines of credit with revolving privileges, are
accounted for by the Corporation in accordance with ASC
Subtopic 310-30. Under ASC Subtopic 310-30, the acquired
similar
into
loans were
characteristics. Each loan pool is accounted for as a single asset
with a single composite interest
rate and an aggregate
expectation of cash flows. The loans which are accounted for
under ASC Subtopic 310-30 by the Corporation are not
considered non-performing and will continue to have an
accretable yield as long as there is a reasonable expectation
about the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be
collected. The Corporation measures additional losses for this
portfolio when it is probable the Corporation will be unable to
collect all cash flows expected at acquisition plus additional
cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in
estimates after acquisition. Lines of credit with revolving
privileges that were acquired as part of the Westernbank FDIC-

112 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

assisted transaction are accounted for under the guidance of
ASC Subtopic 310-20, which requires that any differences
between the contractually required loan payment receivable in
excess of the Corporation’s initial investment in the loans be
accreted into interest income. Loans accounted for under ASC
Subtopic 310-20 are placed in non-accrual status when past due
in accordance with the Corporation’s non-accruing policy and
any accretion of discount is discontinued.

The risks on loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted transaction
are significantly different from the risks on loans not covered
under the FDIC loss sharing agreements because of the loss
protection provided by the FDIC. Accordingly, the Corporation
presents loans subject
to the loss sharing agreements as
“covered loans” in the information below and loans that are not
subject to the FDIC loss sharing agreements as “non-covered
loans”. The FDIC loss sharing agreements expired on June 30,
2015 for commercial (including construction) and consumer
loans, and expires on June 30, 2020 for single-family residential
mortgage loans, as explained in Note 11.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
recorded purchases (including repurchases) of mortgage loans
amounting to $460 million, consumer loans of $311 million,
commercial loans of $2 million and leases of $2 million, compared
to purchases (including repurchases) of mortgage loans of
$619 million, consumer loans of $164 million and commercial
loans of $51 million, during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Corporation performed whole-loan sales

involving
approximately $64 million of residential mortgage loans during
the year ended December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $83
million). There were no sales of commercial and construction
loans during the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year
excluding the bulk sale of
ended December 31, 2016,
Westernbank loans with a carrying value of approximately
$100 million, the Corporation sold commercial and construction
loans with a carrying value of approximately $47 million. Also,
during the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
securitized approximately $376 million of mortgage loans into
Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage-
backed securities and $86 million of mortgage loans into Federal
National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) mortgage-backed
securities,
compared to $613 million and $163 million,
respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Non-covered loans
The following table presents the composition of non-covered
loans held-in-portfolio (“HIP”), net of unearned income, by
past due status at December 31, 2017 and 2016, including loans
previously covered by the commercial FDIC loss sharing
agreements.

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
Home equity lines of credit
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction
Mortgage
Legacy
Consumer:

Credit cards
Home equity lines of credit
Personal
Other

Total

December 31, 2017
Puerto Rico
Past due

30-59
days

$

–
39,617
7,997
3,556
–
217,890
10,223

7,319
438
13,926
24,405
537

$

60-89
days

426
131
2,291
1,251
–
77,833
1,490

90 days
or more

$

1,210
28,045
123,929
40,862
170
1,596,763
2,974

$

Total
past due

1,636
67,793
134,217
45,669
170
1,892,486
14,687

4,464
395
6,857
5,197
444

18,227
257
19,981
5,466
16,765

30,010
1,090
40,764
35,068
17,746

$

Current

144,763
2,336,766
1,689,397
2,845,658
95,199
4,684,293
795,303

1,063,211
4,997
1,181,548
815,745
139,842

Non-covered
loans HIP
Puerto Rico

$

146,399
2,404,559
1,823,614
2,891,327
95,369
6,576,779
809,990

1,093,221
6,087
1,222,312
850,813
157,588

$325,908

$100,779

$1,854,649

$2,281,336

$15,796,722

$18,078,058

December 31, 2017
U.S. mainland
Past due

60-89
days

90 days
or more

$

–
1,186
–
5,278
–
6,148
417

2
3,675
2,149
–

$

784
1,599
862
97,427
–
14,852
3,039

11
14,997
2,779
–

30-59
days

$

395
4,028
2,684
1,121
–
13,453
291

3
4,653
3,342
–

Total
past due

$ 1,179
6,813
3,546
103,826
–
34,453
3,747

16
23,325
8,270
–

Loans HIP
U.S.
mainland

$1,210,693
1,688,311
318,975
1,004,983
784,660
693,628
32,980

Current

$1,209,514
1,681,498
315,429
901,157
784,660
659,175
29,233

84
158,760
289,732
319

100
182,085
298,002
319

$29,970

$18,855

$136,350

$185,175

$6,029,561

$6,214,736

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 113

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction
Mortgage
Leasing
Legacy [3]
Consumer:

Credit cards
Home equity lines of credit
Personal
Auto
Other

December 31, 2017
Popular, Inc.
Past due

$

30-59
days

395
43,645
10,681
4,677
–
231,343
10,223
291

7,322
5,091
17,268
24,405
537

$

60-89
days

426
1,317
2,291
6,529
–
83,981
1,490
417

4,466
4,070
9,006
5,197
444

$

90 days
or more

1,994
29,644
124,791
138,289
170
1,611,615
2,974
3,039

$

Total
past due

2,815
74,606
137,763
149,495
170
1,926,939
14,687
3,747

Current

$ 1,354,277
4,018,264
2,004,826
3,746,815
879,859
5,343,468
795,303
29,233

18,238
15,254
22,760
5,466
16,765

30,026
24,415
49,034
35,068
17,746

1,063,295
163,757
1,471,280
815,745
140,161

Non-covered
loans HIP
Popular, Inc. [1] [2]

$ 1,357,092
4,092,870
2,142,589
3,896,310
880,029
7,270,407
809,990
32,980

1,093,321
188,172
1,520,314
850,813
157,907

Total

$355,878

$119,634

$1,990,999

$2,466,511

$21,826,283

$24,292,794

[1] Non-covered loans held-in-portfolio are net of $131 million in unearned income and exclude $132 million in loans held-for-sale.
[2]

Includes $7.1 billion pledged to secure credit facilities and public funds that the secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral, of which
$4.6 billion were pledged at the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) as collateral for borrowings, $2.0 billion at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) for discount
window borrowings and $0.5 billion serve as collateral for public funds.

[3] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA segment.

December 31, 2016
Puerto Rico
Past due

30-59
days

$

232
98,604
12,967
19,156
–
289,635
6,619

11,646
–
12,148
32,441
1,259

60-89
days

$

–
4,785
5,014
2,638
–
136,558
1,356

8,752
65
7,918
7,217
294

$

90 days
or more

664
51,435
112,997
32,147
1,668
801,251
3,062

18,725
185
20,686
12,320
19,311

$

Total
past due

896
154,824
130,978
53,941
1,668
1,227,444
11,037

39,123
250
40,752
51,978
20,864

$

Current

173,644
2,409,461
1,660,497
2,617,976
83,890
4,689,056
691,856

1,061,484
8,101
1,109,425
774,614
154,665

Non-covered
loans HIP
Puerto Rico

$

174,540
2,564,285
1,791,475
2,671,917
85,558
5,916,500
702,893

1,100,607
8,351
1,150,177
826,592
175,529

$484,707

$174,597

$1,074,451

$1,733,755

$15,434,669

$17,168,424

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
Home equity lines of credit
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

114 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

(In thousands)
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction
Mortgage
Legacy
Consumer:

Credit cards
Home equity lines of credit
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

(In thousands)
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction
Mortgage
Leasing
Legacy [3]
Consumer:

Credit cards
Home equity lines of credit
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

December 31, 2016
U.S. mainland
Past due

30-59
days
$ 5,952
1,992
2,116
960
–
15,974
833

8
2,908
2,547
–
–
$33,290

60-89
days
–
$
379
540
610
–
5,272
346

28
1,055
1,675
–
–
$9,905

90 days
or more
206
$
1,195
472
101,257
–
11,713
3,337

30
4,762
1,864
–
8
$124,844

Total
past due
$ 6,158
3,566
3,128
102,827
–
32,959
4,516

66
8,725
6,086
–
8
$168,039

Current
$1,058,138
1,353,750
240,617
828,106
690,742
746,902
40,777

92
243,450
234,521
9
180
$5,437,284

Loans HIP
U.S.
mainland
$1,064,296
1,357,316
243,745
930,933
690,742
779,861
45,293

158
252,175
240,607
9
188
$5,605,323

December 31, 2016
Popular, Inc.
Past due

30-59
days
$ 6,184
100,596
15,083
20,116
–
305,609
6,619
833

11,654
2,908
14,695
32,441
1,259
$517,997

$

60-89
days

–
5,164
5,554
3,248
–
141,830
1,356
346

8,780
1,120
9,593
7,217
294
$184,502

$

90 days
or more

870
52,630
113,469
133,404
1,668
812,964
3,062
3,337

18,755
4,947
22,550
12,320
19,319
$1,199,295

$

Total
past due
7,054
158,390
134,106
156,768
1,668
1,260,403
11,037
4,516

39,189
8,975
46,838
51,978
20,872
$1,901,794

Current
$ 1,231,782
3,763,211
1,901,114
3,446,082
774,632
5,435,958
691,856
40,777

1,061,576
251,551
1,343,946
774,623
154,845
$20,871,953

Non-covered
loans HIP
Popular, Inc. [1] [2]
$ 1,238,836
3,921,601
2,035,220
3,602,850
776,300
6,696,361
702,893
45,293

1,100,765
260,526
1,390,784
826,601
175,717
$22,773,747

[1] Non-covered loans held-in-portfolio are net of $121 million in unearned income and exclude $89 million in loans held-for-sale.
[2]

Includes $7.3 billion pledged to secure credit facilities and public funds that the secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral, of which
$4.5 billion were pledged at the FHLB as collateral for borrowings, $2.3 billion at the FRB for discount window borrowings and $0.5 billion serve as collateral for
public funds.

[3] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part

of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the BPNA segment.

The level of delinquencies

for mortgage loans as of
December 31, 2017 was impacted by the loan moratorium
implemented by the Corporation as part of its hurricane relief
measures. Although the repayment schedule was modified as
part of the moratorium, certain borrowers continued to make
payments, having an impact on the respective delinquency
status. Also, loans with a delinquency status of 90 days past due
as of December 31, 2017 include approximately $840 million in
loans previously pooled into GNMA securities. Under the
GNMA program, issuers such as BPPR have the option but not

these loans subject

the obligation to repurchase loans that are 90 days or more past
due. For accounting purposes,
to the
repurchase option are required to be reflected on the financial
statements of the Bank with an offsetting liability. While the
borrowers for our serviced GNMA portfolio benefited from the
loan payment moratorium, the delinquency status of these
loans continued to be reported to GNMA without considering
the moratorium. Management will continue to monitor the
effect of the moratorium as the period comes to an end and the
loan repayment schedule is resumed.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 115

The following tables present non-covered loans held-in-portfolio by loan class that are in non-performing status or are accruing
interest but are past due 90 days or more at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
consist primarily of credit cards, Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) / U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) and other
insured mortgage loans, and delinquent mortgage loans which are included in the Corporation’s financial statements pursuant to
GNMA’s buy-back option program. Servicers of loans underlying GNMA mortgage-backed securities must report as their own
assets the defaulted loans that they have the option (but not the obligation) to repurchase, even when they elect not to exercise
that option.

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage [3]
Leasing
Legacy
Consumer:

Credit cards
Home equity lines of credit
Personal
Auto
Other

At December 31, 2017

Puerto Rico

U.S. mainland

Popular, Inc.

Non-accrual
loans

Accruing
loans past-due
90 days or more [1]

Non-accrual
loans

Accruing
loans past-due
90 days or more [1]

Non-accrual
loans

Accruing
loans past-due
90 days or more [1]

$ 1,115

$

–

$

784

$–

$ 1,899

$

–

18,866
101,068
40,177
306,697
2,974
–

–
–
19,460
5,466
15,617

–
–
685
1,204,691
–
–

18,227
257
141
–
1,148

1,599
862
594
14,852
–
3,039

11
14,997
2,779
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

20,465
101,930
40,771
321,549
2,974
3,039

11
14,997
22,239
5,466
15,617

–
–
685
1,204,691
–
–

18,227
257
141
–
1,148

Total [2]

$511,440

$1,225,149

$39,517

$–

$550,957

$1,225,149

[1] Non-covered loans of $215 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the
application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

[2] For purposes of this table non-performing loans exclude non-performing loans held-for-sale.
[3]

It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more
as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. The balance of these loans increased by $760 million due mainly to the rebooking of loans
previously pooled into GNMA securities. Under the GNMA program, issuers such as BPPR have the option but not the obligation to repurchase loans that are 90
days or more past due. For accounting purposes, these loans subject to the repurchase option are required to be reflected on the financial statements of the Bank
with an offsetting liability. While the borrowers for our serviced GNMA portfolio benefited from the loan payment moratorium, the delinquency status of these
loans continued to be reported to GNMA without considering the moratorium. These balances include $178 million of residential mortgage loans in Puerto Rico
insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2017. Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately
$58 million in reverse mortgage loans in Puerto Rico which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of
the loans, it is the Corporation’s policy to exclude these balances from non-performing assets.

116 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage [3]
Leasing
Legacy
Consumer:

Credit cards
Home equity lines of credit
Personal
Auto
Other

At December 31, 2016

Puerto Rico

U.S. mainland

Popular, Inc.

Non-accrual
loans

Accruing
loans past-due
90 days or more [1]

Non-accrual
loans

Accruing
loans past-due
90 days or more [1]

Non-accrual
loans

Accruing
loans past-due
90 days or more [1]

$

664

$

–

$

206

$–

$

870

$

–

24,611
102,771
31,609
318,194
3,062
–

–
–
20,553
12,320
18,724

–
–
538
406,583
–
–

18,725
185
34
–
587

1,195
472
1,820
11,713
–
3,337

30
4,762
1,864
–
8

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

25,806
103,243
33,429
329,907
3,062
3,337

30
4,762
22,417
12,320
18,732

–
–
538
406,583
–
–

18,725
185
34
–
587

Total [2]

$532,508

$426,652

$25,407

$–

$557,915

$426,652

[1] Non-covered loans by $215 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to

the application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

[2] For purposes of this table non-performing loans exclude non-performing loans held-for-sale.
[3]

It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more
as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These balances include $181 million of residential mortgage loans in Puerto Rico insured
by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2016. Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately $68 million in
reverse mortgage loans in Puerto Rico which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of the loans, it is
the Corporation’s policy to exclude these balances from non-performing assets.

The components of the net financing leases receivable at

At December 31, 2017, future minimum lease payments are

December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

expected to be received as follows:

(In thousands)

2017

2016

(In thousands)

Total minimum lease payments
Estimated residual value of leased property

$681,198

$601,317

(unguaranteed)

Deferred origination costs, net of fees
Less - Unearned financing income

Net minimum lease payments

Less - Allowance for loan losses

Net minimum lease payments, net of

allowance for loan losses

246,248
9,496
126,797

810,145
12,000

210,761
8,309
117,296

703,091
7,677

$798,145

$695,414

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022 and thereafter

Total

$ 44,986
56,421
121,121
173,305
285,365

$681,198

Covered loans
The following tables present the composition of loans by past due status at December 31, 2017 and 2016 for covered loans
held-in-portfolio. The information considers covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-20 and ASC Subtopic 310-30.

(In thousands)

Mortgage
Consumer

Total covered loans

December 31, 2017

30-59
days

$16,640
518

60-89
days

$5,453
147

$17,158

$5,600

Past due

90 days or more

$59,018
988

$60,006

Total
past due

$81,111
1,653

Current

$421,818
12,692

$82,764

$434,510

Covered
loans HIP [1]

$502,929
14,345

$517,274

[1]

Includes $279 million pledged to secure credit facilities at the FHLB which are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 117

(In thousands)

Mortgage
Consumer

Total covered loans

December 31, 2016

30-59
days

60-89
days

$25,506
751

$12,904
245

$26,257

$13,149

Past due

90 days or more

$69,856
1,074

$70,930

Total
past due

$108,266
2,070

Current

$448,304
14,238

$110,336

$462,542

Covered
loans HIP [1]

$556,570
16,308

$572,878

[1]

Includes $337 million pledged to secure credit facilities at the FHLB which are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral.

The following table presents covered loans in nonperforming status and accruing loans past due 90 days or more by loan class

at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Mortgage
Consumer

Total [1]

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Non-accrual
loans

Accruing loans past
due 90 days or more

Non-accrual
loans

Accruing loans past
due 90 days or more

$3,165
188

$3,353

$–
–

$–

$3,794
121

$3,915

$–
–

$–

[1] Covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the

accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analyses.

The Corporation accounts for lines of credit with revolving
privileges under the accounting guidance of ASC Subtopic
310-20, which requires that any differences between the
contractually required loans payment receivable in excess of the
initial investment in the loans be accreted into interest income
if the loan is accruing interest.
over the life of the loans,
Covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-20
amounted to $10 million at December 31, 2017 (December 31,
2016 - $10 million).

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality accounted for
under ASC 310-30
The following provides information of loans acquired with
evidence of credit deterioration as of the acquisition date,
accounted for under the guidance of ASC 310-30.

Loans acquired from Westernbank as part of an FDIC-
assisted transaction
The carrying amount of the Westernbank loans consisted of
loans determined to be impaired at the time of acquisition,
which are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic
that were
310-30 (“credit
considered to be performing at the acquisition date, accounted
for by analogy to ASC Subtopic 310-30 (“non-credit impaired
loans”), as detailed in the following table.

impaired loans”),

and loans

(In thousands)

Commercial real estate
Commercial and industrial
Construction
Mortgage
Consumer

Carrying amount [1]
Allowance for loan losses

December 31, 2017
Carrying amount

Non-credit
impaired loans

Credit impaired
loans

$ 909,389
88,130
–
542,182
16,900

1,556,601
(64,520)

$14,035
–
170
21,357
758

36,320
(5,609)

December 31, 2016
Carrying amount

Non-credit
impaired loans

Credit impaired
loans

Total

$ 923,424
88,130
170
563,539
17,658

$ 985,181
103,476
–
587,949
18,775

1,592,921
(70,129)

1,695,381
(61,855)

$14,440
–
1,668
25,781
1,059

42,948
(7,022)

Total

$ 999,621
103,476
1,668
613,730
19,834

1,738,329
(68,877)

Carrying amount, net of allowance

$1,492,081

$30,711

$1,522,792

$1,633,526

$35,926

$1,669,452

[1] The carrying amount of loans acquired from Westernbank and accounted for under ASC 310-30 which remains subject to the loss sharing agreement with the

FDIC amounted to approximately $507 million as of December 31, 2017 and $563 million as of December 31, 2016.

118 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The outstanding principal balance of Westernbank loans
accounted pursuant to ASC Subtopic 310-30, amounted to
$1.9 billion at December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016–$2.1
billion). At December 31, 2017, none of the acquired loans
from the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction accounted for
under ASC Subtopic 310-30 were considered non-performing
interest income, through accretion of the
loans. Therefore,

difference between the carrying amount of the loans and the
expected cash flows, was recognized on all acquired loans.

Changes in the carrying amount and the accretable yield for
the Westernbank loans accounted pursuant
to the ASC
Subtopic 310-30, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016, were as follows:

(In thousands)

Beginning balance
Accretion
Change in expected cash flows

Ending balance

(In thousands)

Beginning balance
Accretion
Collections / loan sales / charge-offs [1]

Ending balance [2]
Allowance for loan losses ASC 310-30 Westernbank loans

Activity in the accretable yield
Westernbank loans ASC 310-30
For the year ended

December 31, 2017
Credit
impaired
loans

Non-credit
impaired
loans

Total

December 31, 2016
Credit
impaired
loans

Non-credit
impaired
loans

Total

$1,001,908
(139,557)
13,486

$ 8,179
(3,048)
(253)

$1,010,087
(142,605)
13,233

$1,105,732
(162,983)
59,159

$ 6,726
(6,765)
8,218

$1,112,458
(169,748)
67,377

$ 875,837

$ 4,878

$ 880,715

$1,001,908

$ 8,179

$1,010,087

Carrying amount of Westernbank loans accounted for pursuant to ASC 310-30
For the year ended

December 31, 2017
Credit
impaired
loans

Non-credit
impaired
loans

Total

December 31, 2016
Credit
impaired
loans

Non-credit
impaired
loans

Total

$1,695,381
139,557
(278,337)

$1,556,601
(64,520)

$42,948
3,048
(9,676)

$36,320
(5,609)

$1,738,329
142,605
(288,013)

$1,898,146
162,983
(365,748)

$1,592,921
(70,129)

$1,695,381
(61,855)

$ 76,355
6,765
(40,172)

$ 42,948
(7,022)

$1,974,501
169,748
(405,920)

$1,738,329
(68,877)

Ending balance, net of ALLL

$1,492,081

$30,711

$1,522,792

$1,633,526

$ 35,926

$1,669,452

[1] For the year ended December 31, 2016, includes the impact of the bulk sale of loans with a carrying value of approximately $99 million.
[2] The carrying amount of loans acquired from Westernbank and accounted for under ASC 310-30 which remain subject to the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC

amounted to approximately $507 million as of December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016- $563 million).

Other loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
The outstanding principal balance of other acquired loans accounted pursuant to ASC Subtopic 310-30, amounted to $556 million
at December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $700 million). At December 31, 2017, none of the other acquired loans accounted
under ASC Subtopic 310-30 were considered non-performing loans. Therefore, interest income, through accretion of the difference
between the carrying amount of the loans and the expected cash flows, was recognized on all acquired loans.

Changes in the carrying amount and the accretable yield for the other acquired loans accounted pursuant to the ASC Subtopic

310-30, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

Activity in the accretable yield - Other acquired loans ASC 310-30

(In thousands)

Beginning balance
Additions
Accretion
Change in expected cash flows

Ending balance

For the years ended
December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$278,896
11,218
(32,516)
76,175

$333,773

$221,128
17,635
(35,030)
75,163

$278,896

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 119

Carrying amount of other acquired loans accounted for pursuant to ASC 310-30

(In thousands)

Beginning balance
Purchase accounting adjustments related to the Doral Bank Transaction (Refer to Note 18)
Additions
Accretion
Collections and charge-offs

Ending balance

Allowance for loan losses ASC 310-30 non-covered loans

Ending balance, net of allowance for loan losses

For the years ended
December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$562,695
–
18,824
32,516
(97,963)

$516,072
(49,376)

$466,696

$564,050
(4,707)
36,221
35,030
(67,899)

$562,695
(22,431)

$540,264

Note 10 - Allowance for loan losses
The Corporation follows a systematic methodology to establish
and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses
(“ALLL”) to provide for inherent losses in the loan portfolio.
This methodology includes the consideration of factors such as
current economic conditions, portfolio risk characteristics,
prior loss experience and results of periodic credit reviews of
individual
loans. The provision for loan losses charged to
current operations is based on this methodology. Loan losses
are charged and recoveries are credited to the allowance for
loan losses.

The Corporation’s assessment of the allowance for loan
losses is determined in accordance with the guidance of loss
contingencies in ASC Subtopic 450-20 and loan impairment
guidance in ASC Section 310-10-35. Also, the Corporation
determines the allowance for loan losses on purchased impaired
loans and purchased loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic
310-30, by evaluating decreases in expected cash flows after the
acquisition date.

allowance

The accounting guidance provides for the recognition of a
loss
loans. The
for groups of homogeneous
determination for general reserves of the allowance for loan
losses includes the following principal factors:

• Base net

loss rates, which are based on the moving
average of annualized net loss rates computed over a
5-year historical
loss period for the commercial and
construction loan portfolios, and an 18-month period for
the consumer and mortgage loan portfolios. The base net
loss rates are applied by loan type and by legal entity.

• Recent loss trend adjustment, which replaces the base loss
rate with a 12-month average loss rate, when these trends
are higher than the respective base loss rates. The
objective of this adjustment is to allow for a more recent
loss trend to be captured and reflected in the ALLL
estimation process.

the base loss with the recent loss trend adjustment was
mainly concentrated in the leasing, credit cards, personal,
auto and mortgage loan portfolios for 2017 and in the
leasing, auto, other consumer loan and commercial and
industrial loan portfolios for 2016.

For the period ended December 31, 2017, 3% (December
31, 2016 - 0.11 %) of our BPNA segment loan portfolios
utilized the recent loss trend adjustment instead of the
base loss. The effect of replacing the base loss with the
recent loss trend adjustment was concentrated in the
consumer portfolios for 2017 and commercial multifamily
portfolio for 2016.

• Environmental

credit

factors, which include

and
macroeconomic indicators such as unemployment rate,
economic activity index and delinquency rates, adopted to
account for current market conditions that are likely to
cause estimated credit losses to differ from historical
these
losses. The Corporation reflects
environmental
an
adjustment that, as appropriate, increases the historical
loss rate applied to each group. Environmental factors
provide updated perspective on credit and economic
conditions. Regression analysis is used to select these
indicators and quantify the effect on the general reserve of
the allowance for loan losses.

factors on each loan group as

the effect of

As discussed in Note 2 - Hurricanes impact, during the year
ended December 31, 2017, an incremental provision expense of
$67.6 million which includes $5.8 million in provision for
covered loans, was made to the allowance for loan losses based
on management’s best estimate of the impact of the hurricanes
loan portfolios and the ability of
on the Corporation’s
borrowers to repay their loans,
taking into consideration
currently available information and the already challenging
economic environment in Puerto Rico prior to the hurricanes.
Refer to Note 2 for additional information.

For the period ended December 31, 2017, 69% (December
31, 2016–38%) of
the ALLL for non-covered BPPR
segment loan portfolios utilized the recent loss trend
adjustment instead of the base loss. The effect of replacing

During the fourth quarter of 2017, management completed
the annual review of the components of the ALLL models. As
part of this review management updated core metrics related to
the
the estimation process for evaluating the adequacy of

120 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

general reserve of the allowance for loan losses. These updates
to the ALLL models, which are described in the paragraph
below, were implemented as of December 31, 2017 and resulted
in a net decrease to the allowance for loan losses of $4.9 million
for the non-covered portfolio. The effect of the aforementioned
updates was immaterial for the covered loans portfolio.

Management made the following revisions to the ALLL

models during the fourth quarter of 2017:

• Annual review and recalibration of the environmental
factors adjustment. The environmental factor adjustments
are developed by performing regression analyses on

indicators

and economic

selected credit
each
applicable loan segment. During the fourth quarter of
2017, the environmental factor models used to account
for
and macroeconomic
conditions were reviewed and recalibrated based on the
latest applicable trends.

in current

changes

credit

for

The effect of the recalibration to the environmental factors
adjustment resulted in a decrease to the allowance for
loan losses of $6.5 million and offset by an increase of
$1.6 million at December 31, 2017, related to the
non-covered BPPR and BPNA segments, respectively.

The following tables present the changes in the allowance for loan losses, loan ending balances and whether such loans and the

allowance pertain to loans individually or collectively evaluated for impairment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2017
Puerto Rico - Non-covered loans

(In thousands)

Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance

Provision (reversal of provision)
Charge-offs
Recoveries

Ending balance

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired non-covered loans
Non-covered loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired

Commercial Construction Mortgage

Leasing

Consumer

Total

$ 189,686
4,240
(49,591)
27,196

$ 171,531

$

36,982

$ 134,549

$ 1,353
(2,690)
(3,588)
6,211

$ 1,286

$

–

$ 1,286

$ 143,320
90,705
(78,121)
3,177

$ 7,662
11,099
(8,407)
1,637

$ 125,963
138,385
(109,252)
19,119

$ 159,081

$ 11,991

$ 174,215

$

46,354

$

475

$

21,849

$ 112,727

$ 11,516

$ 152,366

$ 323,455

$

–

$ 509,033

$ 1,456

$

99,180

$

$

$

$

$

467,984
241,739
(248,959)
57,340

518,104

105,660

412,444

933,124

loans

Total non-covered loans held-in-portfolio

6,942,444

$7,265,899

95,369

$95,369

6,067,746

808,534

3,230,841

17,144,934

$6,576,779

$809,990

$3,330,021

$18,078,058

(In thousands)

Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance

Provision
Charge-offs
Recoveries

Ending balance

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired covered loans
Covered loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired

loans

Total covered loans held-in-portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2017
Puerto Rico - Covered loans

Commercial Construction Mortgage

Leasing

Consumer

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$

$

$

$

$

$

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$

$

$

$

$

30,159
5,098
(4,049)
1,313

32,521

–

32,521

–

$

$

$

$

$

502,929

$ 502,929

$

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$

$

$

$

$

191
644
(122)
10

723

–

723

–

$

$

$

$

$

30,350
5,742
(4,171)
1,323

33,244

–

33,244

–

14,345

517,274

$

14,345

$

517,274

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 121

(In thousands)

Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance

Provision (reversal of provision)
Charge-offs
Recoveries

Ending balance

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired loans
Loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired loans

Total loans held-in-portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2017
U.S. Mainland
Commercial Construction Mortgage

Legacy

Consumer

Total

$

$

$

$

12,968
65,323
(36,399)
2,242

$ 8,172
(1,103)
–
7

$ 4,614
167
(1,223)
983

$ 1,343
(2,275)
(897)
2,627

$ 15,220
15,831
(19,926)
4,404

44,134

$ 7,076

$ 4,541

–

$

–

44,134

$ 7,076

$ 2,478

$ 2,063

$

$

$

798

$ 15,529

–

$

953

798

$ 14,576

$

$

$

$

42,317
77,943
(58,445)
10,263

72,078

3,431

68,647

$

–
4,222,962

$4,222,962

$

–
784,660

$784,660

$ 9,242
684,386

$

–
32,980

$ 5,057
475,449

$

14,299
6,200,437

$693,628

$32,980

$480,506

$6,214,736

(In thousands)

Commercial Construction Mortgage

Legacy

Leasing

Consumer

Total

For the year ended December 31, 2017
Popular, Inc.

Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance

Provision (reversal of provision)
Charge-offs
Recoveries

Ending balance

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired loans
Loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired

$

$

$

$

$

202,654
69,563
(85,990)
29,438

$ 9,525
(3,793)
(3,588)
6,218

$ 178,093
95,970
(83,393)
5,473

$ 1,343
(2,275)
(897)
2,627

$ 7,662
11,099
(8,407)
1,637

$ 141,374
154,860
(129,300)
23,533

215,665

$ 8,362

$ 196,143

36,982

$

–

$

48,832

178,683

$ 8,362

$ 147,311

323,455

$

–

$ 518,275

$

$

$

$

798

$ 11,991

$ 190,467

–

$

475

$

22,802

798

$ 11,516

$ 167,665

–

$ 1,456

$ 104,237

$

$

$

$

$

540,651
325,424
(311,575)
68,926

623,426

109,091

514,335

947,423

loans

11,165,406

880,029

7,255,061

32,980

808,534

3,720,635

23,862,645

Total loans held-in-portfolio

$11,488,861

$880,029

$7,773,336

$32,980

$809,990

$3,824,872

$24,810,068

(In thousands)

Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance

Provision (reversal of provision)
Charge-offs
Recoveries

Net recoveries (write-downs)

Ending balance

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired non-covered loans
Non-covered loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired

For the year ended December 31, 2016
Puerto Rico - Non-covered loans

Commercial Construction Mortgage

Leasing

Consumer

Total

$ 186,925
19,147
(62,486)
41,731
4,369

$ 189,686

$

42,375

$ 147,311

$ 4,957
(6,539)
(3,103)
5,124
914

$ 1,353

$

–

$ 1,353

$ 128,327
79,309
(68,075)
3,759
–

$ 10,993
557
(6,151)
2,263
–

$ 138,721
63,386
(106,304)
29,998
162

$ 143,320

$ 7,662

$ 125,963

$

42,428

$

535

$

23,185

$ 100,892

$ 7,127

$ 102,778

$ 338,422

$

–

$ 497,488

$ 1,817

$ 106,615

$

$

$

$

$

469,923
155,860
(246,119)
82,875
5,445

467,984

108,523

359,461

944,342

loans

Total non-covered loans held-in-portfolio

6,863,795

$7,202,217

85,558

$85,558

5,419,012

701,076

3,154,641

16,224,082

$5,916,500

$702,893

$3,261,256

$17,168,424

122 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended December 31, 2016
Puerto Rico - Covered Loans

Commercial Construction Mortgage Leasing Consumer

Total

(In thousands)

Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance

Provision (reversal of provision)
Charge-offs
Recoveries

Ending balance

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired covered loans
Covered loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired loans

Total covered loans held-in-portfolio

$–
–
–
–

$–

$–

$–

$–
–

$–

$–
–
–
–

$–

$–

$–

$–
–

$–

$ 33,967
(1,092)
(3,524)
808

$ 30,159

$

–

$ 30,159

$

–
556,570

$556,570

$–
–
–
–

$–

$–

$–

$–
–

$–

$

$

$

$

209
(18)
(19)
19

191

$ 34,176
(1,110)
(3,543)
827

$ 30,350

–

$

–

191

$ 30,350

$

–
16,308

$

–
572,878

$16,308

$572,878

(In thousands)

Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance

Provision (reversal of provision)
Charge-offs
Recoveries

Ending balance

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired loans
Loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired loans

Total loans held-in-portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2016
U.S. Mainland
Commercial Construction Mortgage

Legacy

Consumer

Total

$

$

$

$

9,908
(253)
(1,115)
4,428

12,968

$ 3,912
4,260
–
–

$ 8,172

$ 4,985
1,562
(2,506)
573

$ 2,687
(3,257)
(535)
2,448

$ 11,520
12,954
(13,430)
4,176

$ 4,614

$ 1,343

$ 15,220

–

$

–

$ 2,182

$

–

$

672

12,968

$ 8,172

$ 2,432

$ 1,343

$ 14,548

$

$

$

$

33,012
15,266
(17,586)
11,625

42,317

2,854

39,463

$

–
3,596,290

$3,596,290

$

–
690,742

$690,742

$ 8,876
770,985

$

–
45,293

$ 2,839
490,298

$

11,715
5,593,608

$779,861

$45,293

$493,137

$5,605,323

For the year ended December 31, 2016
Popular, Inc.

(In thousands)

Commercial Construction Mortgage

Legacy

Leasing

Consumer

Total

Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance

Provision (reversal of provision)
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Net recoveries (write-downs)

Ending balance

Specific ALLL

General ALLL

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired loans
Loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired

$

$

$

$

$

196,833
18,894
(63,601)
46,159
4,369

$ 8,869
(2,279)
(3,103)
5,124
914

$ 167,279
79,779
(74,105)
5,140
–

$ 2,687
(3,257)
(535)
2,448
–

$ 10,993
557
(6,151)
2,263
–

$ 150,450
76,322
(119,753)
34,193
162

202,654

$ 9,525

$ 178,093

$ 1,343

$ 7,662

$ 141,374

42,375

$

–

$

44,610

$

–

$

535

$

23,857

160,279

$ 9,525

$ 133,483

$ 1,343

$ 7,127

$ 117,517

338,422

$

–

$ 506,364

$

–

$ 1,817

$ 109,454

$

$

$

$

$

537,111
170,016
(267,248)
95,327
5,445

540,651

111,377

429,274

956,057

loans

10,460,085

776,300

6,746,567

45,293

701,076

3,661,247

22,390,568

Total loans held-in-portfolio

$10,798,507

$776,300

$7,252,931

$45,293

$702,893

$3,770,701

$23,346,625

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 123

The following table provides the activity in the allowance for loan losses related to Westernbank loans accounted for pursuant

to ASC Subtopic 310-30.

(In thousands)

Balance at beginning of period
Provision for loan losses
Net (charge-offs) recoveries

Balance at end of period

Impaired loans

ASC 310-30 Westernbank loans

For the years ended

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$ 68,877
13,496
(12,244)

$ 70,129

$63,563
1,342
3,972

$68,877

The following tables present loans individually evaluated for impairment at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

December 31, 2017
Puerto Rico

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner

occupied

Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
Personal
Auto
Other

Impaired Loans - With an
Allowance
Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance

Impaired Loans With
No Allowance

Recorded
investment

Unpaid
principal
balance

Impaired Loans - Total
Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance

$

206

$

206

$

32

$

–

$

–

$

206

$

206

$

32

101,485

102,262

23,744

11,454

27,522

112,939

129,784

23,744

127,634
43,493
450,226
1,456

33,676
62,488
2,007
1,009

153,495
46,918
504,006
1,456

33,676
62,488
2,007
1,009

10,221
2,985
46,354
475

5,569
15,690
425
165

24,634
14,549
58,807
–

57,219
23,977
75,228
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

152,268
58,042
509,033
1,456

33,676
62,488
2,007
1,009

210,714
70,895
579,234
1,456

33,676
62,488
2,007
1,009

10,221
2,985
46,354
475

5,569
15,690
425
165

Total Puerto Rico

$823,680

$907,523

$105,660

$109,444

$183,946

$933,124

$1,091,469

$105,660

December 31, 2017
U.S. mainland

(In thousands)

Mortgage
Consumer:

HELOCs
Personal

Impaired Loans - With an
Allowance
Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance

Impaired Loans With
No Allowance

Recorded
investment

Unpaid
principal
balance

Impaired Loans - Total
Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance

$ 6,774

$ 8,439

$2,478

$2,468

$3,397

$ 9,242

$11,836

$2,478

3,530
542

3,542
542

722
231

761
224

780
224

4,291
766

4,322
766

722
231

Total U.S. mainland

$10,846

$12,523

$3,431

$3,453

$4,401

$14,299

$16,924

$3,431

124 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

December 31, 2017
Popular, Inc.

Impaired Loans - With an
Allowance
Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance

Impaired Loans With
No Allowance

Recorded
investment

Unpaid
principal
balance

Impaired Loans - Total
Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance

$

206

$

206

$

32

$

–

$

–

$

206

$

206

$

32

101,485

102,262

23,744

11,454

27,522

112,939

129,784

23,744

127,634
43,493
457,000
1,456

33,676
3,530
63,030
2,007
1,009

153,495
46,918
512,445
1,456

33,676
3,542
63,030
2,007
1,009

10,221
2,985
48,832
475

5,569
722
15,921
425
165

24,634
14,549
61,275
–

–
761
224
–
–

57,219
23,977
78,625
–

–
780
224
–
–

152,268
58,042
518,275
1,456

33,676
4,291
63,254
2,007
1,009

210,714
70,895
591,070
1,456

33,676
4,322
63,254
2,007
1,009

10,221
2,985
48,832
475

5,569
722
15,921
425
165

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner

occupied

Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit Cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total Popular, Inc.

$834,526

$920,046

$109,091

$112,897

$188,347

$947,423

$1,108,393

$109,091

December 31, 2016
Puerto Rico

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner

occupied

Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
Personal
Auto
Other

Impaired Loans - With an
Allowance
Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance

Impaired Loans With
No Allowance

Recorded
investment

Unpaid
principal
balance

Impaired Loans - Total
Unpaid
principal
balance

Recorded
investment

Related
allowance

$

82

$

82

$

34

$

–

$

–

$

82

$

82

$

34

104,119

105,047

24,537

15,935

29,631

120,054

134,678

24,537

131,634
46,862
426,737
1,817

37,464
66,043
2,117
991

169,013
49,301
466,249
1,817

37,464
66,043
2,117
991

13,007
4,797
42,428
535

5,588
16,955
474
168

31,962
7,828
70,751
–

50,094
11,478
87,806
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

163,596
54,690
497,488
1,817

37,464
66,043
2,117
991

219,107
60,779
554,055
1,817

37,464
66,043
2,117
991

13,007
4,797
42,428
535

5,588
16,955
474
168

Total Puerto Rico

$817,866

$898,124

$108,523

$126,476

$179,009

$944,342

$1,077,133

$108,523

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 125

December 31, 2016
U.S. mainland

Impaired Loans With
No Allowance

Impaired Loans - With an
Allowance
Unpaid
principal
balance
$ 7,971

Recorded
investment
$ 6,381

Related
allowance
$ 2,182

Recorded
investment
$ 2,495

2,421
39
$ 8,841

2,429
39
$ 10,439

667
5
$ 2,854

300
79
$ 2,874

December 31, 2016
Popular, Inc.

Unpaid
principal
balance
$ 3,369

315
79
$ 3,763

Impaired Loans - Total
Unpaid
principal
balance

$

11,340

Recorded
investment
$ 8,876

Related
allowance
$ 2,182

2,721
118
$ 11,715

2,744
118
14,202

667
5
$ 2,854

$

Impaired Loans - With an
Allowance
Unpaid
principal
balance
82
$

Recorded
investment
82
$

Related
allowance
34
$

Impaired Loans With
No Allowance

Recorded
investment
–
$

Unpaid
principal
balance
–
$

Impaired Loans - Total
Unpaid
principal
balance

$

82

Recorded
investment
82
$

Related
allowance
34
$

104,119

105,047

24,537

15,935

29,631

120,054

134,678

24,537

131,634
46,862
433,118
1,817

37,464
2,421
66,082
2,117
991
$826,707

169,013
49,301
474,220
1,817

37,464
2,429
66,082
2,117
991
$908,563

13,007
4,797
44,610
535

5,588
667
16,960
474
168
$111,377

31,962
7,828
73,246
–

–
300
79
–
–
$129,350

50,094
11,478
91,175
–

–
315
79
–
–
$182,772

163,596
54,690
506,364
1,817

37,464
2,721
66,161
2,117
991
$956,057

219,107
60,779
565,395
1,817

37,464
2,744
66,161
2,117
991
$1,091,335

13,007
4,797
44,610
535

5,588
667
16,960
474
168
$111,377

(In thousands)
Mortgage
Consumer:
HELOCs
Personal

Total U.S. mainland

(In thousands)
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner

occupied

Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit Cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total Popular, Inc.

The following tables present the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the years

ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2017

(In thousands)
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total Popular, Inc.

126 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Puerto Rico

U.S. Mainland

Popular, Inc.

Average
recorded
investment
130
$
117,182
156,890
60,466
504,709
1,642

36,109
–
64,467
2,065
915
$944,575

Interest
income
recognized

Average
recorded
investment

$

4
4,745
4,939
1,899
12,661
–

–
–
–
–
–
$24,248

$

–
–
–
–
9,006
–

–
2,964
505
–
–
$12,475

Interest
income
recognized
$ –
–
–
–
200
–

–
–
–
–
–
$200

Average
recorded
investment
130
$
117,182
156,890
60,466
513,715
1,642

36,109
2,964
64,972
2,065
915
$957,050

Interest
income
recognized

$

4
4,745
4,939
1,899
12,861
–

–
–
–
–
–
$24,448

(In thousands)

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

For the year ended December 31, 2016

Puerto Rico

U.S. Mainland

Popular, Inc.

Average
recorded
investment

Interest
income
recognized

Average
recorded
investment

Interest
income
recognized

Average
recorded
investment

Interest
income
recognized

$

33
127,508
150,563
57,752
1,107
479,584
2,124

38,168
–
67,308
2,575
683

$

6
5,275
5,757
1,959
–
13,860
–

–
–
–
–
–

$

–
–
–
–
–
8,212
–

–
1,937
529
–
–

$ –
–
–
–
–
178
–

–
–
–
–
–

$

33
127,508
150,563
57,752
1,107
487,796
2,124

38,168
1,937
67,837
2,575
683

$

6
5,275
5,757
1,959
–
14,038
–

–
–
–
–
–

Total Popular, Inc.

$927,405

$26,857

$10,678

$178

$938,083

$27,035

Modifications
Troubled

debt

related

(“TDRs”)

restructurings

to
non-covered loan portfolios amounted to $ 1.3 billion at
December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $ 1.2 billion). The
amount of outstanding commitments to lend additional funds
to debtors owing receivables whose terms have been modified
in troubled debt restructurings amounted $8 million related to
the commercial loan portfolio at December 31, 2017 (December
31, 2016 - $8 million).

At December 31, 2017, the mortgage loan TDRs include
$449 million guaranteed by U.S. sponsored entities at BPPR,
compared to $407 million at December 31, 2016.

A modification of a loan constitutes a troubled debt
restructuring when a borrower
is experiencing financial
difficulty and the modification constitutes a concession. For a
summary of the accounting policy related to TDRs, refer to the
summary of significant accounting policies included in Note 3
to these consolidated financial statements.

The following tables present the non-covered and covered loans classified as TDRs according to their accruing status and the

related allowance at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Popular, Inc.
Non-Covered Loans

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

(In thousands)

Accruing Non-Accruing

Total

Accruing Non-Accruing

Total

Commercial
Mortgage
Leases
Consumer

Total

$ 161,220
803,278
863
93,916

$1,059,277

$ 59,626
126,798
393
12,233

$199,050

Related
Allowance

$ 32,472
48,832
475
22,802

$ 220,846
930,076
1,256
106,149

$ 176,887
744,926
1,383
100,277

$1,258,327

$104,581

$1,023,473

Popular, Inc.
Covered Loans

Related
Allowance

$ 40,810
44,610
535
23,857

$ 260,044
871,997
1,817
112,719

$1,246,577

$109,812

$ 83,157
127,071
434
12,442

$223,104

(In thousands)

Mortgage

Total

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Accruing Non-Accruing

Total

Allowance Accruing Non-Accruing

Total

Related

Related
Allowance

$2,658

$2,658

$3,227

$3,227

$5,885

$5,885

$–

$–

$2,950

$2,950

$2,580

$2,580

$5,530

$5,530

$–

$–

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 127

The following tables present the loan count by type of modification for those loans modified in a TDR during the years ended

December 31, 2017 and 2016. Loans modified as TDRs for the U.S. operations are considered insignificant to the Corporation.

Popular, Inc.
For the year ended December 31, 2017

Reduction in
interest rate

Extension of
maturity date

Combination of
reduction in interest
rate and extension of
maturity date

Other

Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

4
4
3
55
–

491
–
757
–
32

2
17
40
39
1

–
14
6
5
1

1,346

125

Popular, Inc.
For the year ended December 31, 2016

–
–
–
348
9

5
8
2
4
–

376

–
–
–
125
–

537
1
3
1
1

668

Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

Reduction in
interest rate

Extension of
maturity date

Combination of
reduction in interest
rate and extension of
maturity date

Other

7
43
36
78
–

766
–
1,007
–
35

1,972

1
7
7
80
1

–
1
19
12
–

128

–
–
–
505
1

2
5
1
8
–

522

–
–
–
170
–

668
1
1
2
–

842

128 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following tables present by class, quantitative information related to loans modified as TDRs during the years ended

December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Popular, Inc.
For the year ended December 31, 2017

(Dollars in thousands)

Loan count

Pre-modification
outstanding recorded
investment

Post-modification
outstanding recorded
investment

Increase (decrease) in the
allowance for loan losses as
a result of modification

Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

6
21
43
567
10

1,033
23
768
10
34

2,515

$ 2,172
5,356
2,655
69,084
347

9,283
2,504
12,884
2,043
2,014

$ 2,032
5,346
4,786
64,552
347

10,196
2,421
12,911
1,999
2,014

$

146
313
507
4,108
101

1,241
299
3,027
362
72

$108,342

$106,604

$10,176

Popular, Inc.
For the year ended December 31, 2016

(Dollars in thousands)

Loan count

Pre-modification
outstanding recorded
investment

Post-modification
outstanding recorded
investment

Increase (decrease) in the
allowance for loan losses as
a result of modification

Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

8
50
43
833
2

1,436
7
1,028
22
35

3,464

$ 7,667
29,935
8,402
93,511
36

13,329
602
17,192
263
96

$ 10,272
30,097
9,733
90,840
37

14,918
662
17,296
281
98

$171,033

$174,234

$ 5,109
894
242
6,822
8

2,042
296
3,548
54
17

$19,032

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 129

The following tables present by class, TDRs that were subject to payment default and that had been modified as a TDR during
the twelve months preceding the default date. Payment default is defined as a restructured loan becoming 90 days past due after
being modified, foreclosed or charged-off, whichever occurs first. The recorded investment at December 31, 2017 is inclusive of all
partial paydowns and charge-offs since the modification date. Loans modified as a TDR that were fully paid down, charged-off or
foreclosed upon by period end are not reported.

(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other

Total

Popular, Inc.
Defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2017

Loan count Recorded investment as of first default date

3
4
5
110
4

369
1
139
5
1
641

$

543
1,912
636
10,112
146

3,286
97
3,461
103
9
$20,305

Popular, Inc.
Defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2016

Loan count Recorded investment as of first default date

2
11
7
169
3

451
1
135
9
3
791

$

327
3,296
905
18,261
28

4,794
43
3,329
171
8
$31,162

Commercial, consumer and mortgage loans modified in a
TDR are closely monitored for delinquency as an early indicator
loans modified in a TDR
If
of possible future default.
subsequently default, the Corporation evaluates the loan for
possible further impairment. The allowance for loan losses may
be increased or partial charge-offs may be taken to further
write-down the carrying value of the loan.

Credit Quality
The Corporation has defined a risk rating system to assign a
rating to all credit exposures, particularly for the commercial
and construction loan portfolios. Risk ratings in the aggregate
provide the Corporation’s management the asset quality profile
for the loan portfolio. The risk rating system provides for the
assignment of ratings at the obligor level based on the financial
condition of the borrower. The Corporation’s consumer and

mortgage loans are not subject
to the risk rating system.
Consumer and mortgage loans are classified substandard or loss
based on their delinquency status. All other consumer and
mortgage loans that are not classified as substandard or loss
would be considered “unrated”.

The Corporation’s obligor risk rating scales range from
rating 1 (Excellent) to rating 14 (Loss). The obligor risk rating
reflects the risk of payment default of a borrower in the
ordinary course of business.

Pass Credit Classifications:
Pass (Scales 1 through 8) - Loans classified as pass
have a well defined primary source of repayment, with
no apparent risk, strong financial position, minimal
operating risk, profitability,
liquidity and strong
capitalization.

130 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Watch (Scale 9) - Loans classified as watch have
acceptable business credit, but borrower’s operations,
cash flow or financial condition evidence more than
average
levels of
supervision and attention from Loan Officers.

requires

average

above

risk,

Special Mention (Scale 10) - Loans classified as special
that deserve
mention have potential weaknesses
management’s close attention.
left uncorrected,
these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration
of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the
Corporation’s credit position at some future date.

If

Adversely Classified Classifications:
Substandard (Scales 11 and 12) - Loans classified as
substandard are deemed to be inadequately protected
by the current net worth and payment capacity of the
obligor or of the collateral pledged,
if any. Loans
classified as such have well-defined weaknesses that
the debt. They are
jeopardize the liquidation of
characterized by the distinct possibility that
the
institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are
not corrected.

the weaknesses inherent

Doubtful (Scale 13) - Loans classified as doubtful have
all
in those classified as
substandard, with the additional characteristic that the
weaknesses make the collection or liquidation in full,
on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and
values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loss (Scale 14) - Uncollectible and of such little value
that continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted.
This classification does not mean that the asset has
absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is
not practical or desirable to defer writing off this asset
even though partial recovery may be effected in the
future.

Risk ratings scales 10 through 14 conform to regulatory
ratings. The assignment of the obligor risk rating is based on
relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service
their debts such as current financial
information, historical
payment experience, credit documentation, public information,
and current economic trends, among other factors.

The Corporation periodically reviews its loans classification
to evaluate if they are properly classified, and to determine
impairment, if any. The frequency of these reviews will depend
on the amount of the aggregate outstanding debt, and the risk
rating classification of the obligor. In addition, during the
renewal and annual
review process of applicable credit
facilities, the Corporation evaluates the corresponding loan
grades.

unit

each

unit’s

originating

along with

The Corporation has a Loan Review Group that reports
directly to the Corporation’s Risk Management Committee and
administratively to the Chief Risk Officer, which performs
annual comprehensive credit process reviews of all
lending
groups in BPPR. This group evaluates the credit risk profile of
each
credit
administration effectiveness, including the assessment of the
risk rating representative of the current credit quality of the
loans, and the evaluation of collateral documentation. The
monitoring performed by this group contributes to assess
compliance with credit policies and underwriting standards,
determine the current
risk, evaluate the
effectiveness of the credit management process and identify
control deficiencies that may arise in the credit-granting
the Loan Review Group
process. Based on its findings,
recommends corrective actions,
that help in
if necessary,
maintaining a sound credit process. The Loan Review Group
reports the results of the credit process reviews to the Risk
Management Committee of
the Corporation’s Board of
Directors.

level of credit

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 131

The following table presents the outstanding balance, net of unearned income, of non-covered loans held-in-portfolio based on

the Corporation’s assignment of obligor risk ratings as defined at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

December 31, 2017

Watch

Special
Mention

Substandard Doubtful

Loss

Sub-total

Pass/
Unrated

Total

$

1,387

$ 1,708

$

6,831

$

327,811

335,011

307,579

$

–

–

–

–

$

9,926

$

136,473

$

146,399

970,401

1,434,158

2,404,559

243,966
453,546
1,026,710
110
2,748
–

–
–
429
–
–
429
$1,029,997

215,652
108,554
660,925
4,122
3,564
–

–
–
659
–
–
659
$669,270

354,990
241,695
911,095
1,545
155,074
1,926

18,227
257
20,790
5,446
16,324
61,044
$1,130,684

2,124
471
2,595
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
$2,595

–
126
126
–
–
1,048

–
–
–
20
440
460
$ 1,634

816,732
804,392
2,601,451
5,777
161,386
2,974

18,227
257
21,878
5,466
16,764
62,592
$2,834,180

1,006,882
2,086,935
4,664,448
89,592
6,415,393
807,016

1,823,614
2,891,327
7,265,899
95,369
6,576,779
809,990

1,074,994
5,830
1,200,434
845,347
140,824
3,267,429
$15,243,878

1,093,221
6,087
1,222,312
850,813
157,588
3,330,021
$18,078,058

$

11,808

$ 6,345

$

7,936

$

46,523

16,561

37,178

28,183
4,019
90,533
36,858
–
688

30,893
603
54,402
8,294
–
426

8,590
123,935
177,639
54,276
14,852
3,302

–
–
–
–
–
$ 128,079

–
–
–
–
–
$ 63,122

11
6,084
2,069
–
8,164
$ 258,233

$

13,195

$ 8,053

$

14,767

374,334

351,572

344,757

272,149
457,565
1,117,243
36,968
2,748
688
–

–
–
429
–
–
429
$1,158,076

246,545
109,157
715,327
12,416
3,564
426
–

–
–
659
–
–
659
$732,392

363,580
365,630
1,088,734
55,821
169,926
3,302
1,926

18,238
6,341
22,859
5,446
16,324
69,208
$1,388,917

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

$

$

2,124
471
2,595
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
$2,595

$

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

$

26,089

$ 1,184,604

$ 1,210,693

100,262

1,588,049

1,688,311

67,666
128,557
322,574
99,428
14,852
4,416

251,309
876,426
3,900,388
685,232
678,776
28,564

318,975
1,004,983
4,222,962
784,660
693,628
32,980

–
8,914
704
–
9,618
$ 9,618

11
14,998
2,773
–
17,782
$ 459,052

89
167,087
295,229
319
462,724
$ 5,755,684

100
182,085
298,002
319
480,506
$ 6,214,736

$

–

–

–
126
126
–
–
–
1,048

–
8,914
704
20
440
10,078
$11,252

$

36,015

$ 1,321,077

$ 1,357,092

1,070,663

3,022,207

4,092,870

884,398
932,949
2,924,025
105,205
176,238
4,416
2,974

18,238
15,255
24,651
5,466
16,764
80,374
$3,293,232

1,258,191
2,963,361
8,564,836
774,824
7,094,169
28,564
807,016

1,075,083
172,917
1,495,663
845,347
141,143
3,730,153
$20,999,562

2,142,589
3,896,310
11,488,861
880,029
7,270,407
32,980
809,990

1,093,321
188,172
1,520,314
850,813
157,907
3,810,527
$24,292,794

(In thousands)
Puerto Rico [1]
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner

occupied

Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other
Total Consumer
Total Puerto Rico
U.S. mainland
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner

occupied

Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction
Mortgage
Legacy
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Other
Total Consumer
Total U.S. mainland
Popular, Inc.
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner

occupied

Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction
Mortgage
Legacy
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other
Total Consumer
Total Popular, Inc.

132 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table presents the weighted average obligor risk rating at December 31, 2017 for those classifications that

consider a range of rating scales.

Weighted average obligor risk rating
Puerto Rico: [1]

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction

U.S. mainland:

Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction

Legacy

[1] Excludes covered loans acquired in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction.

(Scales 11 and 12)
Substandard

(Scales 1 through 8)
Pass

11.16
11.06
11.28
11.16

11.17

11.00

Substandard

11.00
11.04
11.10
11.82

11.59

11.00

11.11

5.89
6.99
7.14
7.11

7.06

7.76

Pass

7.28
6.74
7.14
6.17

6.80

7.70

7.93

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 133

December 31, 2016

Watch

Special
Mention Substandard Doubtful

Loss

Sub-total

Pass/
Unrated

Total

$ 2,016 $

383

$

6,108

$

–

$

– $

8,507 $

166,033 $

174,540

310,510
310,484
136,091
759,101
50
4,407
–

377,858
109,873
133,270
621,384
1,705
1,987
–

342,054
360,941
227,360
936,463
1,668
190,090
3,062

–
–
1,068
–
–
1,068

–
–
812
–
–
812
$764,626 $625,888

18,725
185
21,496
12,321
19,311
72,038
$1,203,321

155
17,788
11,514
29,457
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
$29,457

$ 13,537 $ 7,796

$

658

$

57,111
9,271
3,048
82,967
3,000
–
921

9,778
–
937
18,511
8,153
–
786

1,720
9,119
153,793
165,290
16,950
11,711
4,400

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
$ 86,888 $ 27,450

30
1,923
1,252
–
8
3,213
$ 201,564

$ 15,553 $ 8,179

$

6,766

$

$

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

367,621
319,755
139,139
842,068
3,050
4,407
921
–

387,636
109,873
134,207
639,895
9,858
1,987
786
–

–
–
1,068
–
–
1,068

–
–
812
–
–
812
$851,514 $653,338

343,774
370,060
381,153
1,101,753
18,618
201,801
4,400
3,062

18,755
2,108
22,748
12,321
19,319
75,251
$1,404,885

155
17,788
11,514
29,457
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
$29,457

–
–
12
12
–
–
–

1,030,577
799,086
508,247
2,346,417
3,423
196,484
3,062

1,533,708
992,389
2,163,670
4,855,800
82,135
5,720,016
699,831

2,564,285
1,791,475
2,671,917
7,202,217
85,558
5,916,500
702,893

18,725
185
23,376
12,321
19,311
73,918

1,100,607
–
8,351
–
1,150,177
–
826,592
–
175,529
–
3,261,256
–
12 $2,623,304 $14,545,120 $17,168,424

1,081,882
8,166
1,126,801
814,271
156,218
3,187,338

– $

21,991 $ 1,042,305 $ 1,064,296

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

68,609
18,390
157,778
266,768
28,103
11,711
6,107

1,288,707
225,355
773,155
3,329,522
662,639
768,150
39,186

1,357,316
243,745
930,933
3,596,290
690,742
779,861
45,293

$

$

158
–
252,175
2,839
240,607
609
9
–
188
–
3,448
493,137
$3,448 $ 319,350 $ 5,285,973 $ 5,605,323

128
247,413
238,746
9
180
486,476

30
4,762
1,861
–
8
6,661

$

– $

30,498 $ 1,208,338 $ 1,238,836

–
–
12
12
–
–
–
–

1,099,186
817,476
666,025
2,613,185
31,526
208,195
6,107
3,062

2,822,415
1,217,744
2,936,825
8,185,322
744,774
6,488,166
39,186
699,831

3,921,601
2,035,220
3,602,850
10,798,507
776,300
6,696,361
45,293
702,893

1,100,765
–
260,526
2,839
1,390,784
609
826,601
–
175,717
–
3,448
3,754,393
$3,460 $2,942,654 $19,831,093 $22,773,747

1,082,010
255,579
1,365,547
814,280
156,398
3,673,814

18,755
4,947
25,237
12,321
19,319
80,579

(In thousands)
Puerto Rico [1]
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction
Mortgage
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other
Total Consumer
Total Puerto Rico
U.S. mainland
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction
Mortgage
Legacy
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other
Total Consumer
Total U.S. mainland
Popular, Inc.
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner

occupied

Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction
Mortgage
Legacy
Leasing
Consumer:

Credit cards
HELOCs
Personal
Auto
Other
Total Consumer
Total Popular, Inc.

134 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table presents the weighted average obligor risk rating at December 31, 2016 for those classifications that

consider a range of rating scales.

Weighted average obligor risk rating
Puerto Rico: [1]
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction

U.S. mainland:
Commercial multi-family
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
Commercial real estate owner occupied
Commercial and industrial

Total Commercial

Construction

Legacy

(Scales 11 and 12)
Substandard
11.12
11.07
11.23
11.09
11.14

11.00

Substandard
11.31
11.70
11.05
11.65
11.62

11.00

11.10

(Scales 1 through 8)
Pass
5.95
6.91
7.09
7.19
7.06

7.67

Pass
7.26
6.67
7.32
6.15
6.78

7.67

7.91

[1] Excludes covered loans acquired in the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction.

Note 11 - FDIC loss-share asset and true-up payment
obligation
In connection with the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction,
BPPR entered into loss-share arrangements with the FDIC with
respect to the covered loans and other real estate owned.
Pursuant to the terms of the loss-share arrangements,
the
FDIC’s obligation to reimburse BPPR for losses with respect to
covered assets begins with the first dollar of loss incurred. The
to
FDIC reimburses BPPR for 80% of

losses with respect

covered assets, and BPPR reimburses the FDIC for 80% of
recoveries with respect to losses for which the FDIC paid
reimbursement under loss-share arrangements. The loss-share
agreement applicable to single-family residential mortgage
loans provides for FDIC loss and recoveries sharing for ten
years expiring at the end of the quarter ending June 30, 2020.

The following table sets forth the activity in the FDIC loss-

share asset for the periods presented.

(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year
Amortization of loss share indemnification asset
Credit impairment losses to be covered under loss sharing agreements
Reimbursable expenses
Net payments from FDIC under loss sharing agreements
Arbitration decision charge
Other adjustments attributable to FDIC loss sharing agreements
Balance at end of period
Balance due to the FDIC for recoveries on covered assets[1]
Balance at end of period

Years ended December 31,

2017
$ 69,334
(469)
3,136
2,454
(22,589)
–
(5,550)
$ 46,316
(1,124)
$ 45,192

2016
$ 310,221
(10,201)
(239)
8,433
(102,596)
(136,197)
(87)
$ 69,334
(27,578)
$ 41,756

2015
$ 542,454
(66,238)
15,658
73,205
(247,976)
–
(6,882)
$ 310,221
(5,570)
$ 304,651

[1]

Balance due to the FDIC for recoveries on covered assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 amounting to $27.6 million and $5.6 million,
respectively, was included in other liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Condition.

(including construction) and consumer

The loss-share component of the arrangements applicable to
loans
commercial
expired during the quarter ended June 30, 2015. The agreement
provides for reimbursement of recoveries to the FDIC to
continue through the quarter ending June 30, 2018, and for the
single family mortgage loss-share component of such agreement
to expire on the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

The weighted average life of the single family loan portfolio
accounted for under ASC 310-30 subject to the FDIC loss-
sharing agreement at December 31, 2017 is 7.2 years.

As part of the loss-share agreements, BPPR has agreed to
make a true-up payment to the FDIC on the date that is 45 days
following the last day (such day, the “true-up measurement
the final shared-loss month, or upon the final
date”) of

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 135

disposition of all covered assets under the loss-share agreements,
in the event losses on the loss-share agreements fail to reach
expected levels. The estimated fair value of such true-up
payment obligation is recorded as contingent consideration,
which is included in the caption of other liabilities in the
consolidated statements of financial condition. Under the loss
sharing agreements, BPPR will pay to the FDIC 50% of the
excess,
if any, of: (i) 20% of the intrinsic loss estimate of
$4.6 billion (or $925 million) (as determined by the FDIC) less
(ii) the sum of: (A) 25% of the asset discount (per bid) (or ($1.1
billion)); plus (B) 25% of the cumulative shared-loss payments
(defined as the aggregate of all of the payments made or payable
to BPPR minus the aggregate of all of the payments made or
payable to the FDIC); plus (C) the sum of the period servicing
amounts for every consecutive twelve-month period prior to and
ending on the true-up measurement date in respect of each of
the loss-sharing agreements during which the loss-sharing
provisions of the applicable loss-sharing agreement is in effect
(defined as the product of the simple average of the principal
amount of shared- loss loans and shared-loss assets at the
beginning and end of such period times 1%).

Of

shared-loss payments,

the four components used to estimate the true-up
payment obligation (intrinsic loss estimate, asset discount,
cumulative
and period servicing
amounts) only the cumulative shared-loss payments and the
period servicing amounts will change on a quarterly basis.
These two variables are the main drivers of changes in the
undiscounted true-up payment obligation. In order to estimate
the
portfolio
actual
true-up
loans under both the commercial and
performance for
residential
loss sharing agreement are contemplated. The
cumulative shared loss payments and cumulative servicing
amounts are derived from our quarterly loss reassessment
process for covered loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.

obligation,

expected

and

Once the undiscounted true-up payment obligation is
determined, the fair value is estimated based on the contractual
remaining term to settle the obligation and a discount rate that
is composed of the sum of the interpolated U.S. Treasury Note
(“T Note”), defined by the remaining term of the true-up
payment obligation, and a risk premium determined by the
spread of the Corporation’s outstanding senior unsecured debt
over the equivalent T Note.

The following table provides

the fair value and the
undiscounted amount of the true-up payment obligation at
December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

Carrying amount (fair

value)

Undiscounted amount

$164,858
$188,958

$153,158
$188,258

The increase in the fair value of

the true-up payment
obligation was principally driven by a decrease in the discount

136 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

rate from 5.97% in 2016 to 5.47% in 2017 due to a lower risk
premium. The estimated fair value of the true-up payment
obligation corresponds to the difference between the initial
estimated losses to be reimbursed by the FDIC and the revised
estimate of reimbursable losses. As the amount of estimated
reimbursable losses decreases, the value of the true-up payment
obligation increases.

As described above, the estimate of the true-up payment
obligation is determined by applying the provisions of the loss
sharing agreements and will change on a quarterly basis. The
amount of the estimate of the true-up payment obligation is
expected to change in future periods and may be subject to the
interpretation of provisions of the loss sharing agreements.

The loss-share agreements contain specific terms and
conditions regarding the management of the covered assets that
BPPR must follow in order to receive reimbursement on losses
from the FDIC. Under the loss-share agreements, BPPR must:

family shared-loss

• manage and administer the covered assets and collect and
effect charge-offs and recoveries with respect to such
covered assets in a manner consistent with its usual and
prudent business and banking practices and, with respect
to single
the procedures
(including collection procedures) customarily employed
by BPPR in servicing and administering mortgage loans
for
its own account and the servicing procedures
established by FNMA or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (“FHLMC”), as in effect from time to time,
and in accordance with accepted mortgage servicing
practices of prudent lending institutions;

loans,

• exercise its best judgment in managing, administering and
collecting amounts on covered assets and effecting charge-
offs with respect to the covered assets;

• use

reasonable

commercially

to maximize
recoveries with respect to losses on single family shared-
loss assets and best efforts to maximize collections with
respect to commercial shared-loss assets;

efforts

• retain sufficient staff to perform the duties under the loss-

share agreements;

• adopt and implement accounting,

reporting,
systems with respect

record-
to the

keeping and similar
commercial shared-loss assets;

• comply with the terms of the modification guidelines
approved by the FDIC or another federal agency for any
single-family shared-loss loan;

• provide notice with respect

to proposed transactions
pursuant to which a third party or affiliate will manage,
administer or collect any commercial shared-loss assets;

• file monthly and quarterly certificates with the FDIC
and

amount of

charge-offs

losses,

the
specifying
recoveries; and

• maintain books and records sufficient

to ensure and
document compliance with the terms of the loss-share
agreements.

Note 12 - Mortgage banking activities
Income from mortgage banking activities includes mortgage
earned in connection with administering
servicing fees
residential mortgage loans and valuation adjustments on

mortgage servicing rights. It also includes gain on sales and
securitizations of residential mortgage loans and trading gains
the
and losses on derivative
Corporation’s
addition,
lower-of-cost-or-market valuation adjustments to residential
mortgage loans held for sale, if any, are recorded as part of the
mortgage banking activities.

contracts used to hedge

securitization

activities.

In

The following table presents the components of mortgage banking activities:

(In thousands)

Mortgage servicing fees, net of fair value adjustments:

Mortgage servicing fees
Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustments

Total mortgage servicing fees, net of fair value adjustments

Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation on loans held for sale

Trading account loss:

Unrealized gains (losses) on outstanding derivative positions
Realized losses on closed derivative positions

Total trading account loss

Total mortgage banking activities

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

$ 48,300
(36,519)

$ 58,208
(25,336)

$59,461
(7,904)

11,781

17,088

32,872

26,976

51,557

35,336

184
(3,557)

(3,373)

(1)
(3,309)

17
(5,108)

(3,310)

(5,091)

$ 25,496

$ 56,538

$81,802

Note 13 - Transfers of financial assets and mortgage
servicing assets

consolidated financial statements for a description of such
arrangements.

The Corporation typically transfers conforming residential
mortgage loans
in conjunction with GNMA and FNMA
securitization transactions whereby the loans are exchanged for
the
cash or
Corporation has made certain representations and warranties
with respect to the originally transferred loans and, in the past,
has sold certain loans with credit recourse to a government-
sponsored entity, namely FNMA. Refer to Note 26 to the

and servicing rights. As

securities

seller,

a

result of

incurred as

No liabilities were

these
securitizations during the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016 because they did not contain any credit
recourse
arrangements. The Corporation recorded a net gain of
$15.2 million and $24.6 million, respectively, during the years
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 related to the residential
mortgage loan securitized.

The following tables present the initial fair value of the assets obtained as proceeds from residential mortgage loans securitized

during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

(In thousands)

Assets

Investments securities available for sale:
Mortgage-backed securities - FNMA

Total investment securities available-for-sale

Trading account securities:
Mortgage-backed securities - GNMA
Mortgage-backed securities - FNMA

Total trading account securities

Mortgage servicing rights

Total

Proceeds obtained during the year ended December 31, 2017

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Initial fair value

$–

$–

$–
–

$–

$–

$–

$ 16,049

$ 16,049

$376,186
69,798

$445,984

$

–

$462,033

$

$

$

$

–

–

–
–

–

$6,898

$6,898

$ 16,049

$ 16,049

$376,186
69,798

$445,984

$ 6,898

$468,931

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 137

(In thousands)

Assets

Investments securities available for sale:
Mortgage-backed securities - GNMA
Mortgage-backed securities - FNMA

Total investment securities available-for-sale

Trading account securities:
Mortgage-backed securities - GNMA
Mortgage-backed securities - FNMA

Total trading account securities

Mortgage servicing rights

Total

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
retained servicing rights on whole loan sales
involving
approximately $49 million in principal balance outstanding
(2016 - $70 million), with net realized gains of approximately
$1.7 million (2016 - $2.3 million). All loan sales performed
during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were
without credit recourse agreements.

The Corporation recognizes as assets the rights to service
loans for others, whether these rights are purchased or result
from asset transfers such as sales and securitizations. These
mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) are measured at fair value.

The Corporation uses a discounted cash flow model to
estimate the fair value of MSRs. The discounted cash flow
model incorporates assumptions that market participants would
use in estimating future net servicing income,
including
estimates of prepayment speeds, discount rate, cost to service,
escrow account earnings, contractual servicing fee income,
prepayment
considerations.
Prepayment speeds are adjusted for the Corporation’s loan
characteristics and portfolio behavior.

among other

and late

fees,

Proceeds obtained during the year ended December 31, 2016

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Initial fair value

$–
–

$–

$–
–

$–

$–

$–

$ 41,466
18,605

$ 60,071

$571,602
143,939

$715,541

$

–

$775,612

$

$

$

–
–

–

–
–

–

$9,889

$9,889

$ 41,466
18,605

$ 60,071

$571,602
143,939

$715,541

$ 9,889

$785,501

The following table presents the changes in MSRs measured
using the fair value method for the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)
Fair value at beginning

of period

Additions
Changes due to
payments on
loans [1]

Reduction due to loan

repurchases

Changes in fair value
due to changes in
valuation model
inputs or
assumptions
Other disposals
Fair value at end of

period

Residential MSRs

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$196,889
7,661

(15,308)

(2,225)

$211,405
10,835

(17,482)

(3,109)

(18,986)
–

(4,745)
(15)

$ 168,031

$ 196,889

[1] Represents the change due to collection / realization of expected cash flow

over time.

loans

Residential mortgage

serviced for others were
$16.1 billion at December 31, 2017 (2016 - $18.0 billion),
which in part was impacted by a reduction of $840 million in
mortgage loans at BPPR due to the rebooking of
loans
previously pooled into GNMA securities.

Net mortgage servicing fees, a component of mortgage
banking activities in the consolidated statements of operations,
include the changes from period to period in the fair value of
the MSRs, including changes due to collection / realization of
expected cash flows. The banking subsidiaries receive servicing
fees based on a percentage of the outstanding loan balance.
These servicing fees are credited to income when they are
those weighted average
collected. At December 31, 2017,

138 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

mortgage servicing fees were 0.28% (2016 – 0.30%). Under
these servicing agreements, the banking subsidiaries do not
generally earn significant prepayment penalty fees on the
underlying loans serviced.

The section below includes information on assumptions
used in the valuation model of the MSRs, originated and
purchased.

Key economic assumptions used in measuring the servicing
rights derived from loans securitized or sold by the Corporation

during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as
follows:

Years ended
December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

Prepayment speed
Weighted average life

(in years)

Discount rate (annual rate)

4.5%

10.8
11.0%

5.2%

10.2
11.0%

Key economic assumptions used to estimate the fair value of MSRs derived from sales and securitizations of mortgage loans
performed by the banking subsidiaries and servicing rights purchased from other financial institutions, and the sensitivity to
immediate changes in those assumptions, were as follows as of the end of the periods reported:

(In thousands)

Fair value of servicing rights
Weighted average life (in years)
Weighted average prepayment speed (annual rate)
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change

Weighted average discount rate (annual rate)

Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change

The sensitivity analyses presented in the tables above for
servicing rights are hypothetical and should be used with
caution. As the figures indicate, changes in fair value based on a
10 and 20 percent variation in assumptions generally cannot be
extrapolated because the relationship of
the change in
assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also,
in the sensitivity tables included herein, the effect of a variation
in a particular assumption on the fair value of the retained
interest is calculated without changing any other assumption.
In reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in
another (for example, increases in market interest rates may
result in lower prepayments and increased credit losses), which
might magnify or counteract the sensitivities.

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation serviced $1.5 billion
(2016 - $1.7 billion) in residential mortgage loans with credit
recourse to the Corporation.

Under

the GNMA securitizations,

the Corporation, as
servicer, has the right to repurchase (but not the obligation), at
its option and without GNMA’s prior authorization, any loan
that is collateral
for a GNMA guaranteed mortgage-backed
security when certain delinquency criteria are met. At the time
loans meet GNMA’s specified delinquency
that
criteria and are eligible for repurchase, the Corporation is
deemed to have regained effective control over these loans if the
Corporation was the pool issuer. At December 31, 2017, the
Corporation had recorded $840 million in mortgage loans on
its consolidated statements of financial condition related to this

individual

Originated MSRs

Purchased MSRs

December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,

2017

$73,951
7.3
5.1%

$ (1,503)
$ (2,976)

11.5%

$ (3,091)
$ (5,971)

2016

$88,056
7.8
4.6%

$ (1,668)
$ (3,590)

11.5%

$ (3,851)
$ (7,699)

2017

$94,080
6.5
5.7%

$ (2,070)
$ (3,999)

11.0%

$ (3,785)
$ (7,235)

2016

$108,833
6.9
4.8%

$ (2,051)
$ (4,400)

11.0%

$ (4,369)
$ (8,778)

buy-back option program (2016 - $49 million). While the
borrowers for our serviced GNMA portfolio benefited from the
loan payment moratorium, the delinquency status of these
loans continued to be reported to GNMA without considering
the moratorium. As long as the Corporation continues to
service the loans that continue to be collateral in a GNMA
guaranteed mortgage-backed security, the MSR is recognized by
the Corporation. During the year ended December 31, 2017,
the Corporation repurchased approximately $160 million of
mortgage loans under the GNMA buy-back option program
(2016 - $224 million). The determination to repurchase these
loans was based on the economic benefits of the transaction,
which results in a reduction of the servicing costs for these
loans, mostly related to principal and
severely delinquent
interest advances. Furthermore, due to their guaranteed nature,
the risk associated with the loans is minimal. The Corporation
places these loans under its loss mitigation programs and once
brought back to current status, these may be either retained in
portfolio or re-sold in the secondary market.

Quantitative information about delinquencies, net credit
losses, and components of securitized financial assets and other
assets managed together with them by the Corporation,
including its own loan portfolio,
ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016, are disclosed in the following
tables. Loans securitized/sold represent loans in which the
Corporation has continuing involvement in the form of credit
recourse.

the years

for

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 139

(In thousands)

Loans (owned and managed):
Commercial
Construction
Legacy
Lease financing
Mortgage
Consumer
Covered loans
Less:

Loans securitized / sold
Loans held-for-sale

Loans held-in-portfolio

(In thousands)

Loans (owned and managed):
Commercial
Construction
Legacy
Lease financing
Mortgage
Consumer
Covered loans
Less:

Loans securitized / sold
Loans held-for-sale

Loans held-in-portfolio

2017
Total principal amount of
loans, net of unearned

Principal amount 60 days
or more past due

Net credit losses
(recoveries)

$11,488,861
880,029
32,980
809,990
8,891,107
3,810,527
517,274

1,488,305
132,395

$24,810,068

$ 305,281
170
3,456
4,464
2,193,772
101,666
65,606

497,304
872

$2,176,239

$ 56,552
(2,630)
(1,730)
6,770
76,235
105,655
2,848

1,051
–

$242,649

2016
Total principal amount of
loans, net of unearned

Principal amount 60 days
or more past due

Net credit losses
(recoveries)

$10,798,507
776,300
45,293
702,893
8,448,883
3,754,393
572,878

1,663,701
88,821

$23,346,625

$ 314,339
1,668
3,683
4,418
1,074,252
104,895
84,079

119,458
–

$1,467,876

$ 13,073
(2,935)
(1,913)
3,888
68,530
85,398
2,716

2,281
(5,445)

$171,921

Note 14 - Premises and equipment
The premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization as follows:

(In thousands)

Land

Buildings
Equipment
Leasehold improvements

Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization

Subtotal

Construction in progress

Total premises and equipment, net

Useful life in years

2017

2016

10-50
2-10
3-10

$120,519

$120,519

523,438
319,394
77,915

920,747
524,901

516,758
309,294
76,637

902,689
514,892

395,846

387,797

30,777

35,665

$547,142

$543,981

Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
for the year 2017 was $48.4 million (2016 - $46.9 million; 2015
- $47.5 million), of which $23.7 million (2016 - $22.6 million;
2015 - $22.9 million) was charged to occupancy expense and

$24.7 million (2016 - $24.3 million; 2015 - $24.6 million) was
charged to equipment, communications and other operating
expenses. Occupancy expense is net of rental
income of
$26.6 million (2016 - $27.8 million; 2015 - $28.1 million).

140 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

(In thousands)

Balance at beginning of period
Write-downs in value [1]
Additions
Sales
Other adjustments

Ending balance

(In thousands)

Balance at beginning of period
Write-downs in value
Additions
Sales
Other adjustments

Ending balance

(In thousands)

Balance at beginning of period
Write-downs in value
Additions
Sales
Other adjustments
Transfer to non-covered status [1]

Ending balance

Note 15 - Other real estate owned
The following tables present the activity related to Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”), for the years ended December 31, 2017,
2016 and 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the Corporation completed a bulk sale of $37 million of covered OREOs.

[1]

Includes $2.7 million related to the damages from Hurricane Maria, of which $1.3 million were for commercial and $1.4 million for residential.

For the year ended December 31, 2017
Non-covered
OREO
Commercial/Construction

Non-covered
OREO
Mortgage

Covered
OREO
Mortgage

$20,401
(5,011)
8,918
(2,765)
(132)

$21,411

$ 32,471
(2,909)
7,372
(15,894)
(639)

$ 20,401

$160,044
(16,876)
70,763
(68,145)
2,063

$ 32,128
(3,311)
9,912
(16,273)
(2,861)

Total

$212,573
(25,198)
89,593
(87,183)
(930)

$147,849

$ 19,595

$188,855

$122,760
(9,889)
105,140
(56,826)
(1,141)

$ 36,685
(2,273)
17,588
(18,206)
(1,666)

Total

$191,916
(15,071)
130,100
(90,926)
(3,446)

$160,044

$ 32,128

$212,573

For the year ended December 31, 2016
Non-covered
OREO
Commercial/Construction

Non-covered
OREO
Mortgage

Covered
OREO
Mortgage

Non-covered
OREO
Commercial/Construction

For the year ended December 31, 2015
Non-covered
OREO
Mortgage

Covered
OREO
Commercial/Construction

$ 38,983
(13,356)
17,671
(25,065)
(266)
14,504

$ 32,471

$ 96,517
(8,567)
86,040
(53,782)
(540)
3,092

$122,760

$ 85,394
(20,350)
9,661
(59,749)
(452)
(14,504)

$

–

Covered
OREO
Mortgage

$ 44,872
(3,891)
25,019
(25,990)
(233)
(3,092)

Total

$ 265,766
(46,164)
138,391
(164,586)
(1,491)
–

$ 36,685

$ 191,916

[1] Represents the reclassification of OREOs to the non-covered category, pursuant to the expiration of the commercial and consumer shared-loss arrangement with

the FDIC related to loans acquired from Westernbank, on June 30, 2015.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 141

Note 16 - Other assets
The caption of other assets in the consolidated statements of
financial condition consists of the following major categories:

(In thousands)

2017

2016

Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation

allowance)

Investments under the equity method
Prepaid taxes
Other prepaid expenses
Derivative assets
Trades receivable from brokers and

counterparties

Receivables from investments maturities
Principal, interest and escrow servicing

advances

Guaranteed mortgage loan claims

receivable

Others

Total other assets

$1,035,110
215,349
168,852
84,771
16,539

$1,243,668
218,062
172,550
90,320
14,085

7,514
70,000

46,630
–

107,299

69,711

163,819
122,070

152,403
138,081

$1,991,323

$2,145,510

Note 17 - Investments in equity investees
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
recorded earnings of $34.1 million, from its equity investments,
compared to $31.3 million for the year ended December 31,
2016. The carrying value of the Corporation’s equity method

investments was $215 million and $ 218 million at
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

following table presents
information of

aggregated summarized
the Corporation’s equity method

The
financial
investees:

Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)

Operating results:
Total revenues
Total expenses
Income tax expense

Net income

At December 31,
(In thousands)

Balance Sheet:
Total assets
Total liabilities

2017

2016

2015

$931,627
663,069
42,799

$852,160
634,173
47,434

$643,632
414,975
33,920

$225,759

$170,553

$194,737

2017

2016

$8,439,622
$6,009,911

$7,640,819
$5,778,619

Summarized financial information for these investees may be
presented on a lag, due to the unavailability of information for
the investees, at the respective balance sheet dates.

Note 18 - Goodwill and other intangible assets
There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2017. The changes in the carrying
amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2016, allocated by reportable segments, were as follows (refer to Note 41 for
the definition of the Corporation’s reportable segments):

(In thousands)

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
Banco Popular North America

Total Popular, Inc.

2016

Balance at
January 1, 2016

Goodwill on
acquisition

$280,221
346,167

$626,388

$–
–

$–

Purchase
accounting
adjustments

$

–
4,707

$4,707

Goodwill
impairment

Balance at
December 31, 2016

$(3,801)
–

$(3,801)

$276,420
350,874

$627,294

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Corporation
recorded a goodwill
impairment charge of $3.8 million at
Popular Securities as part of its annual goodwill impairment

test and purchase accounting adjustments of $4.7 million
related to the Doral Bank Transaction.

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Corporation had $ 6.1 million of identifiable intangible assets, with indefinite useful lives,

mostly associated with E-LOAN’s trademark.

142 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table reflects the components of other intangible assets subject to amortization:

(In thousands)

December 31, 2017
Core deposits
Other customer relationships

Total other intangible assets

December 31, 2016
Core deposits
Other customer relationships

Total other intangible assets

During the year ended December 31, 2016, core deposit
intangibles with a gross amount of $26.3 million became fully
amortized.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
recognized $ 9.4 million in amortization expense related to
other intangible assets with definite useful
lives (2016 - $
12.1 million; 2015 - $11.0 million).

The following table presents the estimated amortization of
the intangible assets with definite useful lives for each of the
following periods:

(In thousands)

Year 2018
Year 2019
Year 2020
Year 2021
Year 2022
Later years

$9,286
9,042
4,967
2,157
1,281
2,776

Results of the Annual Goodwill Impairment Test
The Corporation’s goodwill and other identifiable intangible
assets having an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment,
at least annually and on a more frequent basis if events or
circumstances indicate impairment could have taken place.
Such events could include, among others, a significant adverse
change in the business climate, an adverse action by a regulator,
an unanticipated change in the competitive environment and a
decision to change the operations or dispose of a reporting unit.
goodwill
accounting
impairment analysis is a two-step test. The first step of the
goodwill impairment test involves comparing the fair value of
the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.
If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying
is considered not
amount, goodwill of
impaired; however, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit
exceeds its fair value, the second step must be performed. The
second step involves calculating an implied fair value of
for which the first step
goodwill

for each reporting unit

the reporting unit

standards,

applicable

Under

Gross
Carrying
Amount

$37,224
35,683

$72,907

$37,274
36,449

$73,723

Accumulated
Amortization

$22,347
21,051

$43,398

$18,624
16,162

$34,786

Net
Carrying
Value

$14,877
14,632

$29,509

$18,650
20,287

$38,937

indicated possible impairment. The implied fair value of
goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of
goodwill recognized in a business combination, which is the
excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in
the first step, over the aggregate fair values of the individual
assets,
liabilities and identifiable intangibles (including any
unrecognized intangible assets, such as unrecognized core
deposits and trademark) as if the reporting unit was being
acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the
reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit.
The Corporation estimates the fair values of the assets and
liabilities of a reporting unit, consistent with the requirements
of the fair value measurements accounting standard, which
defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an
asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date. The fair
value of the assets and liabilities reflects market conditions,
thus volatility in prices could have a material impact on the
determination of the implied fair value of the reporting unit
goodwill at
test date. The adjustments to
measure the assets, liabilities and intangibles at fair value are
for the purpose of measuring the implied fair value of goodwill
and such adjustments are not reflected in the consolidated
statement of condition. If the implied fair value of goodwill
exceeds the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no
impairment. If the goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds
the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is
recorded for the excess. An impairment loss recognized cannot
exceed the amount of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit, and
the loss establishes a new basis in the goodwill. Subsequent
reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted under
applicable accounting standards.

the impairment

The Corporation performed the annual goodwill impairment
evaluation for the entire organization during the third quarter
of 2017 using July 31, 2017 as the annual evaluation date. The
reporting units utilized for this evaluation were those that are
one level below the business segments, which are the legal
entities within the reportable segment. The Corporation follows

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 143

as well

push-down accounting, as such all goodwill is assigned to the
reporting units when carrying out a business combination.
In determining the fair value of a reporting unit,

the
Corporation generally uses
combination of methods,
a
including market price multiples of comparable companies and
transactions,
as discounted cash flow analysis.
Management evaluates the particular circumstances of each
reporting unit in order to determine the most appropriate
valuation methodology. The Corporation evaluates the results
obtained under each valuation methodology to identify and
understand the key value drivers in order to ascertain that the
results obtained are reasonable and appropriate under the
circumstances. Elements considered include current market
and economic conditions, developments in specific lines of
business, and any particular features in the individual reporting
units.

The computations require management to make estimates
and assumptions. Critical assumptions that are used as part of
these evaluations include:

• a selection of comparable publicly traded companies,

based on nature of business, location and size;

• a selection of comparable acquisition and capital raising

transactions;

• the discount rate applied to future earnings, based on an

estimate of the cost of equity;

• the potential future earnings of the reporting unit; and
• the market growth and new business assumptions.

For purposes of the market comparable approach, valuations
were determined by calculating average price multiples of
relevant value drivers from a group of companies that are
comparable to the reporting unit being analyzed and applying
those price multiples to the value drivers of the reporting unit.
Multiples used are minority based multiples and thus, no
is made to the comparable
control premium adjustment
companies market multiples. While the market price multiple is
not an assumption, a presumption that it provides an indicator
of the value of the reporting unit is inherent in the valuation.
The determination of the market comparables also involves a
degree of judgment.

For purposes of

the discounted cash flows

financial projections presented to

(“DCF”)
approach, the valuation is based on estimated future cash flows.
The financial projections used in the DCF valuation analysis for
each reporting unit are based on the most recent (as of the
valuation date)
the
/ Liability Management Committee
Corporation’s Asset
included in these
(“ALCO”). The growth assumptions
projections are based on management’s expectations for each
reporting unit’s financial prospects considering economic and
industry conditions as well as particular plans of each entity
(i.e. restructuring plans, de-leveraging, etc.). The cost of equity
used to discount the cash flows was calculated using the

144 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Ibbotson Build-Up Method and ranged from 11.58% to 14.49%
for the 2017 analysis. The Ibbotson Build-Up Method builds up
a cost of equity starting with the rate of return of a “risk-free”
asset (20-year U.S. Treasury note) and adds to it additional risk
elements such as equity risk premium, size premium and
industry risk premium. The resulting discount rates were
analyzed in terms of reasonability given the current market
conditions and adjustments were made when necessary.

BPPR passed Step 1 in the annual test as of July 31, 2017.
The results indicated that the average estimated fair value
calculated in Step 1 using all valuation methodologies exceeded
BPPR’s equity value by approximately $871 million or 26%.
Accordingly, there was no indication of impairment on the
goodwill recorded in BPPR at July 31, 2017 and there was no
need for a Step 2 analysis. As indicated in Note 2, during the
month of September Hurricanes Irma and Maria made landfall
and subsequently caused extensive destruction in the U.S. and
British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, disrupting the markets
in which BPPR does business. The hurricanes have and may
continue to impact
the Corporation’s financial results, as
detailed in Note 2, which may have an effect on BPPR’s
estimated fair value. However, given the excess of BPPR’s fair
the Corporation has
value over
determined, based on the information currently available, that
impairment of goodwill. The
there is no indication of
Corporation will continue monitoring the impact of
the
hurricanes as new information becomes available.

amount,

carrying

its

BPNA passed Step 1 in the annual test as of July 31, 2017.
The results indicated that the average estimated fair value
calculated in Step 1 using all valuation methodologies exceeded
BPNA’s equity value by approximately $183 million or 11%.
Accordingly, there was no indication of impairment on the
goodwill recorded in BPNA at July 31, 2017 and there was no
need for a Step 2 analysis.

The goodwill balance of BPPR and BPNA, as legal entities,
the Corporation’s total

represented approximately 98% of
goodwill balance as of the July 31, 2017 valuation date.

the

as part of

Furthermore,

analyses, management
performed a reconciliation of
the aggregate fair values
determined for the reporting units to the market capitalization
of Popular,
the fair value results
determined for the reporting units in the July 31, 2017 annual
assessment were reasonable.

Inc. concluding that

The goodwill impairment evaluation process requires the
Corporation to make estimates and assumptions with regard to
the fair value of the reporting units. Actual values may differ
significantly from these estimates. Such differences could result
in future impairment of goodwill that would, in turn, negatively
impact the Corporation’s results of operations and the reporting
units where the goodwill
in the
is
Corporation’s market capitalization could increase the risk of
goodwill impairment in the future.

recorded. Declines

Management monitors events or changes in circumstances
between annual tests to determine if these events or changes in

circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value
of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.

The following tables present the gross amount of goodwill and accumulated impairment losses by reportable segments.

(In thousands)

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
Banco Popular North America

Total Popular, Inc.

(In thousands)

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
Banco Popular North America

Total Popular, Inc.

December 31, 2017

Balance at
January 1,
2017
(gross amounts)

$280,221
515,285

$795,506

Accumulated
impairment
losses

$ 3,801
164,411

$168,212

Balance at
January 1,
2017
(net amounts)

Balance at
December 31,
2017
(gross amounts)

$276,420
350,874

$627,294

$280,221
515,285

$795,506

Accumulated
impairment
losses

$ 3,801
164,411

$168,212

Balance at
December 31,
2017
(net amounts)

$276,420
350,874

$627,294

December 31, 2016

Balance at
January 1,
2016
(gross amounts)

$280,221
510,578

$790,799

Accumulated
impairment
losses

$

–
164,411

$164,411

Balance at
January 1,
2016
(net amounts)

Balance at
December 31,
2016
(gross amounts)

$280,221
346,167

$626,388

$280,221
515,285

$795,506

Accumulated
impairment
losses

$ 3,801
164,411

$168,212

Balance at
December 31,
2016
(net amounts)

$276,420
350,874

$627,294

Note 19 - Deposits
Total interest bearing deposits as of the end of the periods
presented consisted of:

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation had brokered deposits
amounting to $ 0.5 billion (December 31, 2016 - $ 0.6 billion).
The aggregate amount of overdrafts in demand deposit
accounts that were reclassified to loans was $4 million at
December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $6 million).

Note 20 - Borrowings
The following table presents the balances of assets sold under
at December 31, 2017 and
agreements
December 31, 2016.

to repurchase

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

$ 8,561,718

$ 7,793,533

10,885,967

8,012,706

19,447,685

15,806,239

(In thousands)

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

Assets sold under agreements to

3,446,575
4,068,303

7,514,878

3,570,956
4,138,586

7,709,542

repurchase

$390,921

$479,425

Total assets sold under agreements

to repurchase

$390,921

$479,425

(In thousands)

Savings accounts
NOW, money market and other

interest bearing demand
deposits

Total savings, NOW, money
market and other interest
bearing demand deposits

Certificates of deposit:
Under $100,000
$100,000 and over

Total certificates of deposit

Total interest bearing deposits

$26,962,563

$23,515,781

A summary of
December 31, 2017 follows:

certificates of deposit by maturity

at

(In thousands)

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 and thereafter

Total certificates of deposit

$3,941,152
1,150,663
1,083,152
710,484
581,771
47,656

$7,514,878

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 145

The following table presents information related to the Corporation’s repurchase transactions accounted for as secured
borrowings that are collateralized with investment securities available-for-sale, other assets held-for-trading purposes or which
have been obtained under agreements to resell. It is the Corporation’s policy to maintain effective control over assets sold under
agreements to repurchase; accordingly, such securities continue to be carried on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Repurchase agreements accounted for as secured borrowings

(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Treasury Securities

Within 30 days
After 30 to 90 days
After 90 days

Total U.S. Treasury Securities
Obligations of U.S. government sponsored entities

Within 30 days
After 30 to 90 days
After 90 days

Total obligations of U.S. government sponsored entities
Mortgage-backed securities

Within 30 days
After 30 to 90 days
After 90 days

Total mortgage-backed securities
Collateralized mortgage obligations

Within 30 days

Total collateralized mortgage obligations
Total

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Repurchase
liability

Repurchase liability
weighted average
interest rate

Repurchase
liability

Repurchase liability
weighted average
interest rate

$148,516
87,357
43,500
279,373

30,656
19,463
15,937
66,056

31,383
–
–
31,383

14,109
14,109
$390,921

1.70%
1.70
2.00
1.75

1.77
1.48
1.60
1.64

1.51
–
–
1.51

0.28
0.28
1.66%

$ 32,700
–
19,819
52,519

95,720
142,299
25,380
263,399

39,108
58,552
54,560
152,220

11,287
11,287
$479,425

0.85%
–
1.61
1.14

1.00
0.91
1.08
0.96

1.05
0.94
1.09
1.02

0.28
0.28
0.98%

146 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Repurchase agreements in this portfolio are generally short-
term, often overnight. As such our risk is very limited. We
manage the liquidity risks arising from secured funding by
sourcing
of
counterparties, providing a range of securities collateral and
pursuing longer durations, when appropriate.

from a

globally

funding

diverse

group

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase:

(Dollars in thousands)

2017

2016

Maximum aggregate balance outstanding at

any month-end

$471,083

$954,253

Average monthly aggregate balance

outstanding

Weighted average interest rate:

For the year
At December 31

$399,422

$757,230

1.22%
1.50%

1.01%
1.12%

The following table presents information related to the
Corporation’s other short-term borrowings for the periods
ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Other short-term borrowings:

(Dollars in thousands)

2017

2016

Advances with the FHLB paying interest at
maturity raging from 1.43% to 1.66%

Others

$ 95,000

$

–

1,208

1,200

Balance outstanding at the end of the period

$ 96,208

$ 1,200

Maximum aggregate balance outstanding at

any month-end

$240,598

$31,200

Average monthly aggregate balance

outstanding

Weighted average interest rate:

For the year
At December 31

$ 52,784

$ 6,266

1.61%
1.55%

2.15%
9.00%

The following table presents the composition of notes

payable at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

(In thousands)

Advances with the FHLB with
maturities ranging from 2018
through 2029 paying interest at
monthly fixed rates ranging
from 0.84% to 4.19 %
(2016 -0.81% to 4.19%)
Advances with the FHLB with
maturities ranging from 2018
through 2019 paying interest
monthly at a floating rate
ranging from 0.22% to 0.34%
over the 1 month LIBOR
(2016 - 0.22% to 0.34%)
Advances with the FHLB with
maturities ranging from 2018
through 2019 paying interest
quarterly at a floating rate from
0.09% to 0.24% over the 3
month LIBOR (2016 - (0.01)%
to 0.24%)

Unsecured senior debt securities
maturing on 2019 paying
interest semiannually at a fixed
rate of 7.00%, net of debt
issuance costs of $3,127
(2016 - $5,212)

Junior subordinated deferrable

interest debentures (related to
trust preferred securities) with
maturities ranging from 2027 to
2034 with fixed interest rates
ranging from 6.125% to
8.327%, net of debt issuance
costs of $449 (2016 - $476)

Others

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

$ 572,307

$ 608,193

34,164

34,164

25,019

30,313

446,873

444,788

439,351
18,642

439,323
18,071

Total notes payable

$1,536,356

$1,574,852

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 147

A breakdown of borrowings by contractual maturities at December 31, 2017 is included in the table below.

Assets sold under
agreements to repurchase

Short-term
borrowings Notes payable

$390,921
–
–
–
–
–
–

$390,921

$96,200
–
–
–
–
–
8

$96,208

$ 255,088
609,015
112,144
21,840
5,143
533,126
–

Total

$ 742,209
609,015
112,144
21,840
5,143
533,126
8

$1,536,356

$2,023,485

collateralized with loans held-in-portfolio, and do not have
restrictive covenants or callable features.
Also, at December 31, 2017,

the Corporation has a
borrowing facility at
the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York amounting to $1.1 billion (2016 -
$1.2 billion), which remained unused at December 31, 2017
and 2016. The facility is a collateralized source of credit that is
highly reliable even under difficult market conditions.

the discount window of

(In thousands)

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Later years
No stated maturity

Total borrowings

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Corporation had FHLB
borrowing facilities whereby the Corporation could borrow up
to $3.9 billion and $3.8 billion,
respectively, of which
$726 million and $673 million, respectively, were used. In
addition, at December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Corporation had
placed $260 million and $200 million, respectively, of the
available FHLB credit facility as collateral for a municipal letter
of credit to secure deposits. The FHLB borrowing facilities are

148 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Note 21 - Offsetting of financial assets and liabilities
The following tables present the potential effect of rights of setoff associated with the Corporation’s recognized financial assets and
liabilities at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of
Financial Position

As of December 31, 2017

Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position

Net Amounts of
Assets
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position

(In thousands)

Derivatives

Total

Gross Amount
of Recognized
Assets

$16,719

$16,719

$–

$–

$16,719

$16,719

$121

$121

$–

$–

$–

$–

Financial
Instruments

Securities
Collateral
Received

Cash
Collateral
Received

Net
Amount

$16,598

$16,598

As of December 31, 2017

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of
Financial Position

Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position

Net Amounts of
Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position

$–
–

$–

$ 14,431
390,921

$405,352

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Liabilities

$ 14,431
390,921

$405,352

As of December 31, 2016

Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position

Net Amounts of
Assets
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position

$–
–

$–

$ 14,094
23,637

$ 37,731

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets

$ 14,094
23,637

$ 37,731

Financial
Instruments

$121
–

$121

Securities
Collateral
Pledged

$

8
390,921

$390,929

Cash
Collateral
Pledged

$–
–

$–

Net
Amount

$14,302
–

$14,302

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of
Financial Position

Financial
Instruments

$551
–

$551

Securities
Collateral
Received

$

–
23,637

$ 23,637

Cash
Collateral
Received

$–
–

$–

Net
Amount

$13,543
–

$13,543

(In thousands)

Derivatives
Repurchase agreements

Total

(In thousands)

Derivatives
Reverse repurchase agreements

Total

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 149

As of December 31, 2016

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of
Financial Position

Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position

Net Amounts of
Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position

$–
–

$–

$ 12,842
479,425

$492,267

Gross Amount
of Recognized
Liabilities

$ 12,842
479,425

$492,267

Financial
Instruments

$551
–

$551

Securities
Collateral
Pledged

$

747
479,425

$480,172

Cash
Collateral
Pledged Net Amount

$–
–

$–

$11,544
–

$11,544

(In thousands)

Derivatives
Repurchase agreements

Total

The Corporation’s derivatives are subject

to agreements
which allow a right of set-off with each respective counterparty.
In addition,
the Corporation’s Repurchase Agreements and
Reverse Repurchase Agreements have a right of set-off with the
respective counterparty under the supplemental terms of the
Master Repurchase Agreements. In an event of default each
party has a right of set-off against the other party for amounts
owed in the related agreement and any other amount or
obligation owed in respect of any other agreement or
transaction between them.

Note 22 - Trust preferred securities
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, statutory trusts established by
the Corporation (BanPonce Trust I, Popular Capital Trust I,
Popular North America Capital Trust I and Popular Capital
Trust II) had issued trust preferred securities (also referred to
as “capital securities”) to the public. The proceeds from such
issuances, together with the proceeds of the related issuances of

(Dollars in thousands)

Issuer

Capital securities
Distribution rate
Common securities
Junior subordinated debentures aggregate liquidation amount
Stated maturity date
Reference notes

common securities of the trusts (the “common securities”),
were used by the trusts to purchase junior subordinated
deferrable
subordinated
(the
debentures”) issued by the Corporation.

interest debentures

“junior

The sole assets of

the trusts consisted of

the junior
subordinated debentures of the Corporation and the related
accrued interest receivable. These trusts are not consolidated by
the Corporation pursuant to accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.

The junior subordinated debentures are included by the
Corporation as notes payable in the consolidated statements of
financial condition, while the common securities issued by the
issuer trusts are included as other investment securities. The
common securities of each trust are wholly-owned, or indirectly
wholly-owned, by the Corporation.

The following table presents financial data pertaining to the

different trusts at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

BanPonce
Trust I

Popular Capital
Trust I

Popular
North America
Capital Trust I

Popular
Capital Trust Il

$52,865

8.327%

$181,063

6.700%

$91,651

6.564%

$101,023

6.125%

$ 1,637
$54,502

$ 5,601
$186,664
February 2027 November 2033
[2],[4],[5]

[1],[3],[6]

$ 2,835
$94,486

$ 3,125
$104,148
September 2034 December 2034
[2],[4],[5]

[1],[3],[5]

Statutory business trust that is wholly-owned by Popular North America and indirectly wholly-owned by the Corporation.
Statutory business trust that is wholly-owned by the Corporation.

[1]
[2]
[3] The obligations of PNA under the junior subordinated debentures and its guarantees of the capital securities under the trust are fully and unconditionally

guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Corporation to the extent set forth in the applicable guarantee agreement.

[4] These capital securities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Corporation to the extent set forth in the applicable guarantee

agreement.

[5] The Corporation has the right, subject to any required prior approval from the Federal Reserve, to redeem after certain dates or upon the occurrence of certain
events mentioned below, the junior subordinated debentures at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
date of redemption. The maturity of the junior subordinated debentures may be shortened at the option of the Corporation prior to their stated maturity dates
(i) on or after the stated optional redemption dates stipulated in the agreements, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, or (ii) in whole, but not in part,
at any time within 90 days following the occurrence and during the continuation of a tax event, an investment company event or a capital treatment event as set
forth in the indentures relating to the capital securities, in each case subject to regulatory approval.
Same as [5] above, except that the investment company event does not apply for early redemption.

[6]

150 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Corporation had
$427 million in trust preferred securities outstanding which do
not qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment, but instead qualify for
Tier 2 capital treatment.

Note 23 – Stockholders’ equity
The Corporation has 30,000,000 shares of authorized preferred
stock that may be issued in one or more series, and the shares
of each series shall have such rights and preferences as shall be
fixed by the Board of Directors when authorizing the issuance
of that particular series. The Corporation’s shares of preferred
stock issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016
consisted of:

• 6.375% non-cumulative monthly income preferred stock,
2003 Series A, no par value, liquidation preference value
of $25 per share. Holders on record of the 2003 Series A
Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or
an authorized committee thereof, out of funds legally
available, non-cumulative cash dividends at the annual
rate per share of 6.375% of their liquidation preference
value, or $0.1328125 per share per month. These shares
of preferred stock are perpetual, nonconvertible, have no
preferential rights to purchase any securities of
the
Corporation and are redeemable solely at the option of the
Corporation with the consent of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System. The redemption price per
share is $25.00. The shares of 2003 Series A Preferred
Stock have no voting rights, except for certain rights in
instances when the Corporation does not pay dividends
for a defined period. These shares are not subject to any
sinking fund requirement. Cash dividends declared and
paid on the 2003 Series A Preferred Stock amounted to $
1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015. Outstanding shares of 2003 Series A Preferred
Stock amounted to 885,726 at December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015.

• 8.25% non-cumulative monthly income preferred stock,
2008 Series B, no par value, liquidation preference value
of $25 per share. The shares of 2008 Series B Preferred
Stock were issued in May 2008. Holders of record of the
2008 Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation or an authorized committee thereof, out of
funds legally available, non-cumulative cash dividends at
the annual rate per share of 8.25% of their liquidation
preferences, or $0.171875 per share per month. These
shares of preferred stock are perpetual, nonconvertible,
have no preferential rights to purchase any securities of
the Corporation and are redeemable solely at the option of
the Board of
the Corporation with the consent of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System beginning on

May 28, 2013. The redemption price per share is $25.00.
Cash dividends declared and paid on the 2008 Series B
Preferred Stock amounted to $ 2.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Outstanding
shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock amounted to
1,120,665 at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

The Corporation’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC (the “NASDAQ”) under the symbol BPOP.
The 2003 Series A and 2008 Series B Preferred Stock is not
listed on NASDAQ.

The Corporation’s common stock ranks junior to all series of
preferred stock as to dividend rights and / or as to rights on
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
Dividends on each series of preferred stocks are payable if
declared. The Corporation’s ability to declare or pay dividends
on, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire,
its common
stock is subject to certain restrictions in the event that the
Corporation fails to pay or set aside full dividends on the
preferred stock for the latest dividend period. The ability of the
Corporation to pay dividends in the future is limited by
regulatory requirements, legal availability of funds, recent and
projected financial results, capital levels and liquidity of the
Corporation, general business conditions and other factors
deemed relevant by the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

During the year 2015 the Corporation reinstated the
payment of dividends to shareholders of common stock. On
the Corporation’s Board of Directors
January 23, 2017,
approved an increase in the Company’s quarterly common
stock dividend from $0.15 per share to $0.25 per share. During
the year 2017, cash dividends of $ 1.00 (2016 - $ 0.60; 2015 -
$0.30) per common share outstanding amounting to $
102.1 million (2016 - $62.2 million; 2015 - $31.1 million) of
which $ 25.5 million were payable to shareholders of common
stock at December 31, 2017 (2016 - $15.6 million; 2015 - $15.5
million). The quarterly dividend declared to shareholders of
record as of the close of business on December 5, 2017, which
amounted to $25.5 million, was paid on January 2, 2018.

During the first quarter of 2017, the Corporation completed
a $75 million privately negotiated accelerated share repurchase
the
transaction,
transaction (“ASR”). As part of
Corporation received 1,847,372
and recognized
$79.5 million in treasury stock, based on the stock’s spot price,
offset by a $4.5 million adjustment to capital surplus, resulting
from the decline in the Corporation’s stock price during the
term of the ASR.

this
shares

The Banking Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
requires that a minimum of 10% of BPPR’s net income for the
year be transferred to a statutory reserve account until such
statutory reserve equals the total of paid-in capital on common
and preferred stock. Any losses incurred by a bank must first be
charged to retained earnings and then to the reserve fund.
Amounts credited to the reserve fund may not be used to pay

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 151

Capital adequacy minimum
requirement (including
conservation capital buffer)

Actual

(Dollars in thousands) Amount Ratio

Amount

Ratio

2017

Total Capital (to Risk-
Weighted Assets):

Corporation
BPPR
BPNA
Common Equity Tier I
Capital (to Risk-
Weighted Assets):

Corporation
BPPR
BPNA
Tier I Capital (to Risk-
Weighted Assets):

Corporation
BPPR
BPNA
Tier I Capital (to

Average Assets):

Corporation
BPPR
BPNA

$4,985,265 19.22% $2,399,052
1,778,498
3,793,268 19.73
587,809
1,083,171 17.05

9.250%
9.250
9.250

$4,226,519 16.30% $1,491,303
1,105,553
3,546,121 18.44
365,395
1,010,232 15.90

5.750%
5.750
5.750

$4,226,519 16.30% $1,880,338
1,393,958
3,546,121 18.44
460,715
1,010,232 15.90

7.250%
7.250
7.250

$4,226,519 10.02% $1,687,432
1,328,818
3,546,121 10.67
345,681
1,010,232 11.69

4%
4
4

Capital adequacy minimum
requirement (including
conservation capital buffer)

Actual

(Dollars in thousands) Amount Ratio

Amount

Ratio

2016

Total Capital (to Risk-
Weighted Assets):

Corporation
BPPR
BPNA
Common Equity Tier I
Capital (to Risk-
Weighted Assets):

Corporation
BPPR
BPNA
Tier I Capital (to Risk-
Weighted Assets):

Corporation
BPPR
BPNA
Tier I Capital (to

Average Assets):

Corporation
BPPR
BPNA

$4,869,215 19.48% $2,156,365
1,624,727
3,678,619 19.53
501,075
1,040,234 17.91

8.625%
8.625
8.625

$4,121,208 16.48% $1,281,318
965,417
3,436,615 18.24
297,740
997,094 17.16

$4,121,208 16.48% $1,656,338
1,247,979
3,436,615 18.24
384,883
997,094 17.16

$4,121,208 10.91% $1,511,403
1,191,783
3,436,615 11.53
306,375
997,094 13.02

5.125%
5.125
5.125

6.625%
6.625
6.625

4%
4
4

dividends without
the Puerto Rico
the prior consent of
Commissioner of Financial Institutions. The failure to maintain
sufficient statutory reserves would preclude BPPR from paying
dividends. BPPR’s statutory reserve fund amounted to $
540 million at December 31, 2017 (2016 - $ 513 million; 2015 -
$ 495 million). During 2017, $ 27 million was transferred to the
statutory reserve account (2016 - $ 18 million, 2015 - $ 26
million). BPPR was in compliance with the statutory reserve
requirement in 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Failure

agencies.

Note 24 - Regulatory capital requirements
The Corporation and its banking subsidiaries are subject to
various regulatory capital requirements imposed by the federal
banking
to meet minimum capital
requirements can lead to certain mandatory and additional
discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could
have a direct material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated
financial statements. On January 1, 2015, the Corporation,
capital
BPPR and BPNA became
requirements,
including also revised minimum and well
capitalized regulatory capital ratios and compliance with the
standardized approach for determining risk-weighted assets.

to Basel

subject

III

The Basel III Capital Rules introduced a new capital measure
known as Common Equity Tier I (“CET1”) and related
regulatory capital ratio CET1 to risk-weighted assets.

The Basel

III Capital Rules provide that a depository
institution will be deemed to be well capitalized if it maintained
a leverage ratio of at least 5%, a CET1 ratio of at least 6.5%, a
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8% and a total risk-
based ratio of at least 10%. Management has determined that at
December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Corporation exceeded all
capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, BPPR and BPNA were

well-capitalized under the regulatory framework of Basel III.

The Corporation has been designated by the Federal Reserve
Board as a Financial Holding Company (“FHC”) and is eligible
to engage in certain financial activities permitted under the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999.

The following tables present the Corporation’s risk-based
capital and leverage ratios at December 31, 2017 and 2016
under the Basel III regulatory guidance.

152 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The final Basel III capital rules require the phase out of
trust
non-qualifying Tier 1 capital
preferred securities. At December 31, 2017 the Corporation had
$427 million in trust preferred securities outstanding which
does not qualify for Tier 1 capital
instead
qualified for Tier 2 capital treatment.

treatment, but

instruments

such as

The Basel III final rules also introduced a phase-in capital
conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets that is
effectively layered on top of the minimum capital risk-based
ratios, which places restrictions on the amount of retained
earnings that may be used for distributions or discretionary
bonus payments as risk-based capital ratios approach their
respective “adequately capitalized minimums.”

The following table presents the minimum amounts and
ratios for the Corporation’s banks to be categorized as well-
capitalized.

(Dollars in thousands)

Amount Ratio Amount Ratio

2017

2016

Total Capital (to Risk-
Weighted Assets):

BPPR
BPNA
Common Equity Tier I

Capital (to Risk-Weighted
Assets):

BPPR
BPNA
Tier I Capital (to Risk-
Weighted Assets):

BPPR
BPNA
Tier I Capital (to Average

Assets):

BPPR
BPNA

$1,922,700
635,469

10% $1,883,741
580,956
10

10%
10

$1,249,755
413,055

6.5% $1,224,432
377,621
6.5

6.5%
6.5

$1,538,160
508,375

8% $1,506,993
464,765
8

$1,661,023
432,102

5% $1,489,729
382,968
5

8%
8

5%
5

The following table presents the capital requirements for a standardized approach banking organization under Basel III final

rules.

Minimum Capital Well-Capitalized

2017

Common Equity Tier 1 to Risk-Weighted Assets
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets
Leverage Ratio

4.5%
6.0
8.0
4.0

6.5%
8.0
10.0
5.0

5.750%
7.250
9.250
N/A

2018

6.375%
7.875
9.875
N/A

2019

2020

7.000%
8.500
10.500
N/A

7.000%
8.500
10.500
N/A

Minimum Capital Plus Capital Conservation Buffer

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 153

Note 25 - Other comprehensive loss
The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the years ended December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015.

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component [1]

(In thousands)

Foreign currency translation

Beginning Balance

Other comprehensive loss

Net change

Ending balance

Adjustment of pension and

postretirement benefit plans

Beginning Balance

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
loss for amortization of net losses
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
loss for amortization of prior service credit

Net change

Ending balance

Unrealized net holding losses on

investments

Beginning Balance

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
Other-than-temporary impairment amounts reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
(loss) income

Net change

Ending balance

Unrealized net losses on cash flow

hedges

Beginning Balance

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
loss

Net change

Ending balance

Total

[1] All amounts presented are net of tax.

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

$ (39,956) $ (35,930) $ (32,832)

(3,078)

(3,078)

(4,026)

(4,026)

(3,098)

(3,098)

$ (43,034) $ (39,956) $ (35,930)

$(211,610) $(211,276) $(205,187)

(5,164)

(11,402)

(16,032)

13,684

13,386

12,261

(2,318)

(2,318)

6,202

(334)

(2,318)

(6,089)

$(205,408) $(211,610) $(211,276)

$ (68,318) $

(9,560) $

8,465

(40,325)

(58,585)

(29,871)

6,740

167

11,959

(267)

(340)

(113)

(33,852)

(58,758)

(18,025)

$(102,170) $ (68,318) $

(9,560)

$

(402) $

(120) $

(318)

(790)

(2,203)

(2,669)

1,152

362

1,921

(282)

2,867

198

$

(40) $

(402) $

(120)

$(350,652) $(320,286) $(256,886)

154 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the
years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

(In thousands)
Adjustment of pension and postretirement benefit plans

Amortization of net losses
Amortization of prior service credit

Unrealized holding losses on investments

Realized gain on sale of securities

Unrealized net losses on cash flow hedges

Forward contracts

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Affected Line Item in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

Personnel costs
Personnel costs
Total before tax
Income tax benefit
Total net of tax

3,800
(18,628)
7,262

$(22,428) $(21,948) $(20,100)
3,800
3,800
(18,148)
(16,300)
6,357
7,080
$(11,366) $(11,068) $ (9,943)

Net gain on sale and valuation adjustments of
investment securities
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on
available-for-sale debt securities
Total before tax
Income tax benefit
Total net of tax

$

334

$

379

$

141

(8,299)
(7,965)
1,492
$ (6,473) $

(209)
170
3
173

(14,445)
(14,304)
2,458
$(11,846)

Mortgage banking activities
Total before tax
Income tax benefit
Total net of tax
Total reclassification adjustments, net of tax

(1,888)
736

$ (1,888) $ (3,149) $ (4,702)
(4,702)
(3,149)
1,835
1,228
$ (1,152) $ (1,921) $ (2,867)
$(18,991) $(12,816) $(24,656)

Note 26 - Guarantees
The Corporation has obligations upon the occurrence of certain
events under
guarantees provided in certain
contractual agreements as summarized below.

financial

If

institutions,

The Corporation issues financial standby letters of credit
and has risk participation in standby letters of credit issued by
other financial
in each case to guarantee the
the
performance of various customers to third parties.
customers failed to meet its financial or performance obligation
to the third party under the terms of the contract, then, upon
their request, the Corporation would be obligated to make the
payment to the guaranteed party. At December 31, 2017, the
Corporation recorded a liability of $0.3 million (December 31,
2016 - $0.3 million), which represents the unamortized balance
of the obligations undertaken in issuing the guarantees under
the standby letters of credit. In accordance with the provisions
of ASC Topic 460, the Corporation recognizes at fair value the
obligation at inception of the standby letters of credit. The fair
value approximates the fee received from the customer for
issuing such commitments. These fees are deferred and are
recognized over the commitment period. The contracts amount
in standby letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2017
and 2016, shown in Note 27, represent the maximum potential
future payments that the Corporation could be
amount of

required to make under
the guarantees in the event of
nonperformance by the customers. These standby letters of
credit are used by the customers as a credit enhancement and
typically expire without being drawn upon. The Corporation’s
standby letters of credit are generally secured, and in the event
of nonperformance by the customers, the Corporation has
rights to the underlying collateral provided, which normally
includes cash, marketable securities, real estate, receivables,
and others. Management does not anticipate any material losses
related to these instruments.

Also,

from time to time,

from time to time,

the Corporation securitized
mortgage loans into guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
subject in certain instances, to lifetime credit recourse on the
loans that serve as collateral for the mortgage-backed securities.
The Corporation has not sold any mortgage loans subject to
the
credit recourse since 2009. Also,
Corporation may sell,
in bulk sale transactions, residential
mortgage loans and Small Business Administration (“SBA”)
commercial
to credit recourse or to certain
representations and warranties from the Corporation to the
purchaser. These representations and warranties may relate, for
example, to borrower creditworthiness, loan documentation,
collateral, prepayment
and early payment defaults. The
Corporation may be required to repurchase the loans under the
credit recourse agreements or representation and warranties.

loans subject

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 155

the recourse arrangements

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation serviced $1.5 billion
(December 31, 2016 - $1.7 billion) in residential mortgage
loans subject to credit recourse provisions, principally loans
associated with FNMA and FHLMC residential mortgage loan
securitization programs. In the event of any customer default,
pursuant to the credit recourse provided, the Corporation is
required to repurchase the loan or reimburse the third party
investor for the incurred loss. The maximum potential amount
of future payments that the Corporation would be required to
make under
in the event of
nonperformance by the borrowers is equivalent to the total
outstanding balance of the residential mortgage loans serviced
with recourse and interest,
if applicable. During 2017, the
Corporation repurchased approximately $ 29 million of unpaid
to the credit
principal balance in mortgage loans subject
recourse provisions (2016—$ 44 million). In the event of
nonperformance by the borrower, the Corporation has rights to
the underlying collateral securing the mortgage loan. The
Corporation suffers losses on these loans when the proceeds
from a foreclosure sale of the property underlying a defaulted
mortgage loan are less than the outstanding principal balance of
the loan plus any uncollected interest advanced and the costs of
holding and disposing the related property. At December 31,
2017,
the
estimated credit loss exposure related to loans sold or serviced
with credit recourse amounted to $ 59 million (December 31,
2016—$ 54 million). The following table shows the changes in
the Corporation’s liability of estimated losses from these credit
recourses agreements, included in the consolidated statements
of financial condition during the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016.

the Corporation’s liability established to cover

(In thousands)

Balance as of beginning of period
Provision for recourse liability
Net charge-offs

Balance as of end of period

Years ended
December 31,
2016
2017

$ 54,489
20,446
(16,115)

$ 58,663
14,548
(18,722)

$ 58,820

$ 54,489

The estimated losses to be absorbed under the credit
recourse arrangements are recorded as a liability when the loans
are sold and are updated by accruing or reversing expense
(categorized in the line item “Adjustments (expense) to
indemnity reserves on loans
consolidated
statements of operations) throughout the life of the loan, as
information becomes
necessary, when additional
available. The methodology used to estimate the recourse
liability is a function of the recourse arrangements given and
considers a variety of factors, which include actual defaults and
loss experience, foreclosure rate, estimated future
historical
defaults and the probability that a loan would be delinquent.

relevant

in the

sold”

156 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

severity. The probability of default

Statistical methods are used to estimate the recourse liability.
Expected loss rates are applied to different loan segmentations.
The expected loss, which represents the amount expected to be
lost on a given loan, considers the probability of default and
loss
the
probability that a loan in good standing would become 90 days
twelve-month period.
following
delinquent within the
Regression analysis quantifies the relationship between the
default event and loan-specific characteristics, including credit
scores, loan-to-value ratios, and loan aging, among others.

represents

the

loans

characteristics

When the Corporation sells or securitizes mortgage loans, it
generally makes customary representations and warranties
the
regarding
sold. The
of
Corporation’s mortgage operations
in Puerto Rico group
conforming mortgage loans into pools which are exchanged for
FNMA and GNMA mortgage-backed securities, which are
generally sold to private investors, or are sold directly to FNMA
for cash. As required under the government agency programs,
quality review procedures are performed by the Corporation to
ensure that asset guideline qualifications are met. To the extent
the loans do not meet specified characteristics, the Corporation
may be required to repurchase such loans or indemnify for
losses and bear any subsequent loss related to the loans. There
were $0.1 million in repurchases under BPPR’s representation
and warranty
ended
December 31, 2017 and no repurchases during the year ended
these loans
December 31, 2016. A substantial amount of
reinstate to performing status or have mortgage insurance, and
thus the ultimate losses on the loans are not deemed significant.
in the
Corporation’s liability for estimated losses associated with the
indemnifications and representations and warranties related to
loans sold by BPPR during the years ended December 31, 2017
and 2016.

arrangements

following

presents

changes

during

table

year

The

the

the

(In thousands)

Balance as of beginning of period
Provision for representation and warranties
Net charge-offs

Balance as of end of period

2017

2016

$10,936
874
(68)

$ 8,087
3,140
(291)

$11,742

$10,936

Servicing agreements

relating to the mortgage-backed
securities programs of FNMA and GNMA, and to mortgage
loans sold or serviced to certain other investors,
including
FHLMC, require the Corporation to advance funds to make
scheduled payments of principal, interest, taxes and insurance,
if such payments have not been received from the borrowers. At
December 31, 2017, the Corporation serviced $16.1 billion in
mortgage loans for third-parties, including the loans serviced
with credit recourse (December 31, 2016 - $18.0 billion). The
Corporation generally recovers funds advanced pursuant to
these arrangements from the mortgage owner, from liquidation

in the meantime,

proceeds when the mortgage loan is foreclosed or, in the case of
FHA/VA loans, under the applicable FHA and VA insurance and
guarantees programs. However,
the
Corporation must absorb the cost of the funds it advances
during the time the advance is outstanding. The Corporation
must also bear the costs of attempting to collect on delinquent
and defaulted mortgage loans. In addition, if a defaulted loan is
not cured, the mortgage loan would be canceled as part of the
foreclosure proceedings and the Corporation would not receive
any future servicing income with respect to that loan. At
December 31, 2017, the outstanding balance of funds advanced
by the Corporation under
such mortgage loan servicing
agreements was approximately $107 million (December 31,
2016 - $70 million). To the extent
the mortgage loans
underlying the Corporation’s servicing portfolio experience
increased delinquencies, the Corporation would be required to
dedicate additional cash resources to comply with its obligation
to advance funds as well as incur additional administrative costs
related to increases in collection efforts.

Financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk, whose
contract amounts represent potential credit risk as of the end of
the periods presented were as follows:

(In thousands)

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

Commitments to
extend credit:
Credit card lines
Commercial and

construction lines
of credit

Other consumer
unused credit
commitments
Commercial letters of

credit

Standby letters of credit
Commitments to

originate or fund
mortgage loans

$4,303,256

$4,562,981

3,011,673

2,966,656

250,029

2,116
33,633

261,856

1,490
34,644

15,297

25,622

guarantees

Inc. Holding Company (“PIHC”)

fully and
Popular,
unconditionally
certain borrowing obligations
issued by certain of its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries
amounting to $ 149 million at December 31, 2017 and
December 31, 2016. In addition, at December 31, 2017 and
December 31, 2016, PIHC fully and unconditionally guaranteed
on a subordinated basis $ 427 million, of capital securities
(trust preferred securities) issued by wholly-owned issuing
trust entities to the extent set forth in the applicable guarantee
agreement. Refer to Note 22 to the consolidated financial
statements for further information on the trust preferred
securities.

the financial needs of

Note 27 - Commitments and contingencies
Off-balance sheet risk
The Corporation is a party to financial
instruments with
off-balance sheet credit risk in the normal course of business to
meet
its customers. These financial
instruments include loan commitments, letters of credit and
standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying
degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the
amount recognized in the consolidated statements of financial
condition.

The Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of
nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument
for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and
financial guarantees is represented by the contractual notional
amounts of those instruments. The Corporation uses the same
credit policies in making these commitments and conditional
obligations as it does for those reflected on the consolidated
statements of financial condition.

the
At December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016,
Corporation maintained a reserve of approximately $10 million
and $9 million, respectively, for potential losses associated with
unfunded loan commitments
related to commercial and
consumer lines of credit.

the

and,

residential

Business concentration
Since the Corporation’s business activities are concentrated
primarily in Puerto Rico, its results of operations and financial
condition are dependent upon the general trends of the Puerto
and
in particular,
Rico economy
commercial real estate markets. The concentration of
the
Corporation’s operations in Puerto Rico exposes it to greater
risk than other banking companies with a wider geographic
base. Its asset and revenue composition by geographical area is
presented in Note 41 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Puerto Rico is in the midst of a profound fiscal and
economic crisis, was recently significantly impacted by two
major hurricanes, and has commenced several proceedings
under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic
Stability Act (“PROMESA”) to restructure its outstanding
obligations and those of certain of its instrumentalities.

In September 2017, Puerto Rico was impacted by Hurricanes
Irma and Maria. Most relevant, Hurricane Maria made landfall
on September 20, 2017, causing severe wind and flood damage
to infrastructure, homes and businesses throughout Puerto
Rico. Following the passage of Hurricane Maria, all Puerto Rico
was left without electrical power, other basic utility and
infrastructure
curtailed and the
government imposed a mandatory curfew. As of the date of this
report, a number of businesses and homes remained without
power and some businesses are operating partially or remain

services were

severely

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 157

by March 30, 2018. Both the certified fiscal plans and the most
recent public versions of the proposed fiscal plans indicate that
the applicable government entities are unable to pay their
outstanding
thus
recognizing a need for a significant debt restructuring and/or
write downs.

obligations

scheduled,

currently

as

On May 3, 2017, the Oversight Board, on behalf of the
Commonwealth, filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for
the District of Puerto Rico to restructure the Commonwealth’s
liabilities under Title III of PROMESA. The Oversight Board has
subsequently filed analogous petitions with respect to COFINA,
the Employees Retirement System, the Puerto Rico Highways
and Transportation Authority and the Puerto Rico Electric
Power Authority. The Oversight Board has also authorized GDB
to pursue a restructuring of its financial indebtedness under
Title VI of PROMESA. Although as of the date hereof, these
entities are the only entities for which the Oversight Board has
sought
restructuring authority provided by
PROMESA, the Oversight Board may use the restructuring
authority of Title III or Title VI of PROMESA for other
Commonwealth instrumentalities, including its municipalities,
in the future.

to use

the

this

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation’s direct exposure to
the Puerto Rico government and its instrumentalities and
municipalities amounted to $ 484 million, which is fully
outstanding at year-end (compared to a direct exposure of
approximately $584 million, of which $ 529 million was
outstanding
amount,
at December 31, 2016). Of
$435 million consists of loans and $ 49 million are securities
($459 million and $ 70 million at December 31, 2016). All of
the amount outstanding at December 31, 2017 were obligations
from various Puerto Rico municipalities. In most cases, these
are “general obligations” of a municipality,
to which the
applicable municipality has pledged its good faith, credit and
unlimited taxing power, or
a
municipality, to which the applicable municipality has pledged
other
the
revenues. At December 31, 2017, 74% of
Corporation’s exposure to municipal loans and securities was
concentrated in the municipalities of San Juan, Guaynabo,
Carolina and Bayamón.

“special obligations” of

During the third quarter of 2017, the Corporation sold all of
its COFINA bonds at a gain of approximately $0.1 million. The
Corporation had recorded an other-than-temporary impairment
charge of $8.3 million in respect of those bonds during the
second quarter of 2017 as a result of the filing of the Title III
proceeding in respect of COFINA and the non-payment of
interest on the COFINA bonds in June 2017, pursuant to a
court order issued in such proceeding.

closed, while others have permanently closed. The damages
caused by the hurricanes are substantial and have had a
material adverse impact on economic activity in Puerto Rico. It
is still, however, too early to fully assess and quantify the extent
of the damage caused by the hurricanes, as well as their long-
term impact on economic activity. For a discussion of the
impact of the hurricanes on the Corporation’s operations and
financial results during 2017, refer to Note 2 - Hurricanes
impact.

The U.S. Congress enacted PROMESA on June 30, 2016 in
response to the Commonwealth’s ongoing fiscal and economic
crisis. PROMESA, among other things, (i) established a seven-
member oversight board (the “Oversight Board”) with broad
powers over the finances of
the Commonwealth and its
instrumentalities, (ii) requires the Commonwealth (and any
instrumentality thereof designated as a “covered entity” under
PROMESA) to submit its budgets, and if the Oversight Board so
requests, a fiscal plan for certification by the Oversight Board,
and (iii) established two separate processes for the restructuring
of
its
instrumentalities and municipalities: (a) Title VI, a largely
out-of-court process through which a government entity and its
financial creditors can agree on terms to restructure such
entity’s debts, and (b) Title III, a court-supervised process for a
comprehensive restructuring similar to Chapter 9 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code.

the outstanding liabilities of

the Commonwealth,

entities”

including

PROMESA,

The Oversight Board has designated a number of entities as
the
“covered
under
its instrumentalities. While the
Commonwealth and all of
Oversight Board has the power to designate any of
the
Commonwealth’s municipalities as covered entities under
it has not done so as of the date hereof. The
PROMESA,
Oversight Board has approved fiscal plans for certain of these
“covered entities,” including the Commonwealth, Government
Development Bank for Puerto Rico (“GDB”) and several other
public corporations. The Commonwealth’s fiscal plan covers
the central government and several of the Commonwealth’s
instrumentalities. The fiscal plans were prepared and certified
prior to the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and are thus
based on pre-hurricane assumptions of government revenues,
economic activity and outmigration. On October 31, 2017, the
Oversight Board requested revised fiscal plans
the
Commonwealth and various public corporations to take into
the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The
account
Commonwealth,
the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority
(“PREPA”), and the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority
(“PRASA”) submitted revised fiscal plans to the Oversight
Board on January 24, 2018. The Oversight Board requested
revisions to such fiscal plans and, on February 12, 2018, the
government submitted further
revised fiscal plans to the
Oversight Board. The Oversight Board is in the process of
reviewing such fiscal plans and has stated that it expects to
certify fiscal plans for the Commonwealth, PREPA and PRASA

for

158 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table details the loans and investments representing the Corporation’s direct exposure to the Puerto Rico

government according to their maturities:

(In thousands)

Central Government

After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total Central Government

Government Development Bank (GDB)

After 1 to 5 years

Total Government Development Bank (GDB)

Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority

After 5 to 10 years

Total Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority

Municipalities

Within 1 year
After 1 to 5 years
After 5 to 10 years
After 10 years

Total Municipalities

Total Direct Government Exposure

Investment Portfolio

Loans

Total Outstanding Total Exposure

$

2
7
27

36

2

2

4

4

$

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

$

2
7
27

36

2

2

4

4

$

2
7
27

36

2

2

4

4

3,295
15,485
29,240
1,025

49,045

13,183
192,904
106,368
122,038

434,493

16,478
208,389
135,608
123,063

483,538

16,478
208,389
135,608
123,063

483,538

$49,087

$434,493

$483,580

$483,580

in collateral

In addition, at December 31, 2017, the Corporation had
$386 million in indirect exposure to loans or securities issued
or guaranteed by Puerto Rico governmental entities but whose
principal source of repayment are non-governmental entities. In
such obligations, the Puerto Rico government entity guarantees
any shortfall
in the event of borrower default
($406 million at December 31, 2016). These included
$310 million in residential mortgage loans guaranteed by the
Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority (“HFA”), an entity that
has been designated as a covered entity under PROMESA
(December 31, 2016 - $326 million). These mortgage loans are
secured by the underlying properties and the HFA guarantee
serve to cover shortfalls in collateral in the event of a borrower
default. Although the Governor is currently authorized by local
legislation to impose a temporary moratorium on the financial
obligations of the HFA, he has not exercised this power as of
the date hereof. Also, the Corporation had $44 million in
Puerto Rico housing bonds issued by HFA, which are secured
by second mortgage loans on Puerto Rico residential properties,
$7 million in pass-through securities
that have been
economically defeased and refunded and for which collateral
including U.S. agencies and Treasury obligations has been
escrowed, and $25 million of commercial real estate notes
issued by government entities, but payable from rent paid by
third parties ($43 million, $6 million and $31 million at
December 31, 2016, respectively).

BPPR’s commercial

loan portfolio also includes loans to
private borrowers who are service providers, lessors, suppliers

or have other
relationships with the government. These
borrowers could be negatively affected by the fiscal measures to
be implemented to address the Commonwealth’s fiscal crisis
and the ongoing Title III proceedings under PROMESA
described above. Similarly, BPPR’s mortgage and consumer loan
portfolios include loans to government employees which could
also be negatively affected by fiscal measures such as employee
layoffs or furloughs.

The Corporation has operations in the United States Virgin
Islands (the “USVI”) and has approximately $82 million in
direct exposure to USVI government entities. The USVI has
been experiencing a number of fiscal and economic challenges
that could adversely affect the ability of its public corporations
and instrumentalities
their outstanding debt
obligations. In addition, in September 2017, the USVI was also
severely impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which will
pose additional challenges to the USVI government and could
further materially adversely affect the USVI economy.

to service

Other contingencies
As
indicated in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, as part of the loss sharing agreements related to the
the Corporation
Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction,
agreed to make a true-up payment to the FDIC on the date that
is 45 days following the last day of the final shared loss month,
or upon the final disposition of all covered assets under the loss
sharing agreements in the event losses on the loss sharing
agreements fail to reach expected levels. The fair value of the

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 159

true-up payment obligation was estimated at $ 165 million at
December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $ 153 million). For
additional information refer to Note 11.

material to the Corporation’s consolidated financial position in
a particular period.

Set

forth below is a description of

the Corporation’s

litigation,

Legal Proceedings
The nature of Popular’s business ordinarily results in a certain
investigations, and legal and
number of claims,
administrative cases and proceedings (“Legal Proceedings”).
When the Corporation determines that
it has meritorious
defenses to the claims asserted, it vigorously defends itself. The
Corporation will consider the settlement of cases (including
cases where
in
management’s judgment, it is in the best interest of both the
Corporation and its shareholders to do so.

defenses) when,

has meritorious

it

On at least a quarterly basis, Popular assesses its liabilities
and contingencies relating to outstanding Legal Proceedings
utilizing the latest information available. For matters where it is
probable that the Corporation will incur a material loss and the
the Corporation
amount
establishes an accrual for the loss. Once established, the accrual
is adjusted on at least a quarterly basis as appropriate to reflect
any relevant developments. For matters where a material loss is
not probable, or the amount of the loss cannot be estimated, no
accrual is established.

reasonably

estimated,

can be

In certain cases, exposure to loss exists in excess of the
accrual to the extent such loss is reasonably possible, but not
probable. Management believes and estimates that the aggregate
range of reasonably possible losses (with respect
to those
matters where such limits may be determined, in excess of
amounts accrued), for current Legal Proceedings ranges from
$0 to approximately $27.8 million as of December 31, 2017.
reasonably
For certain other cases, management cannot
estimate the possible loss at this time. Any estimate involves
significant judgment, given the varying stages of the Legal
Proceedings (including the fact that many of them are currently
in preliminary stages), the existence of multiple defendants in
several of the current Legal Proceedings whose share of liability
has yet to be determined, the numerous unresolved issues in
many of the Legal Proceedings, and the inherent uncertainty of
the various potential outcomes of such Legal Proceedings.
Accordingly, management’s
from
time-to-time, and actual losses may be more or less than the
current estimate.

estimate will

change

and available

While the outcome of Legal Proceedings is inherently
uncertain, based on information currently available, advice of
counsel,
coverage, management
insurance
believes that the amount it has already accrued is adequate and
any incremental liability arising from the Corporation’s Legal
Proceedings in matters in which a loss amount can be
reasonably estimated will not have a material adverse effect on
the Corporation’s consolidated financial position. However, in
the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that
the ultimate resolution of these matters, if unfavorable, may be

160 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

significant legal proceedings.

(the

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO
Hazard Insurance Commission-Related Litigation
Popular, Inc., BPPR and Popular Insurance, LLC (the “Popular
Defendants”) have been named defendants in a putative class
action complaint captioned Perez Díaz v. Popular, Inc., et al,
Instance, Arecibo Part. The
filed before the Court of First
complaint seeks damages and preliminary and permanent
injunctive relief on behalf of the purported class against the
Popular Defendants, as well as Antilles Insurance Company and
“Defendant
MAPFRE-PRAICO Insurance Company
Insurance Companies”). Plaintiffs essentially allege that the
Popular Defendants have been unjustly enriched by failing to
reimburse them for commissions paid by the Defendant
Insurance Companies to the insurance agent and/or mortgagee
for policy years when no claims were filed against their hazard
insurance policies. They demand the reimbursement to the
purported “class” of an estimated $400 million plus legal
interest, for the “good experience” commissions allegedly paid
by the Defendant Insurance Companies during the relevant
time period, as well as injunctive relief seeking to enjoin the
Defendant Insurance Companies from paying commissions to
the insurance agent/mortgagee and ordering them to pay those
fees directly to the insured. A hearing on the request for
preliminary injunction and other matters was held on
February 15, 2017, as a result of which plaintiffs withdrew their
request for preliminary injunctive relief. A motion for dismissal
on the merits, which the Defendant Insurance Companies filed
shortly before hearing, was denied with a right to replead
following limited targeted discovery. On March 24, 2017, the
Popular Defendants filed a certiorari petition with the Puerto
Rico Court of Appeals seeking a review of the lower court’s
denial of the motion to dismiss. The Court of Appeals denied
the Popular Defendant’s request, and the Popular Defendants
appealed this determination to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court,
which declined review. Separately, a class certification hearing
was held in June and the Court requested post-hearing briefs on
this issue. On October 26, 2017, the Court entered an order
whereby it broadly certified the class. At a hearing held on
November 2, 2017, the Court encouraged the parties to reach
agreement on discovery and class notification procedures. The
Court further allowed defendants until January 4, 2018 to
answer the complaint. A follow-up hearing was set for March 6,
2018. On December 21, 2017, the Popular Defendants filed a
certiorari petition before the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals,
which plaintiffs opposed on January 9, 2018. The Court of
Appeals has not yet ruled on whether it will entertain this
petition. The proceedings at the Court of First Instance have
not been stayed, and discovery is in progress.

financial

insurance

in violation of

institutions with

insurance deductible

BPPR has separately been named a defendant in a putative class
action complaint captioned Ramirez Torres, et al. v. Banco
Popular de Puerto Rico, et al, filed before the Puerto Rico Court of
First Instance, San Juan Part. The complaint seeks damages and
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief on behalf of the
purported class against the same Popular Defendants, as well
brokerage
other
subsidiaries in Puerto Rico. Plaintiffs essentially contend that in
November 2015, Antilles
Insurance Company obtained
approval
from the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner to
market an endorsement that allowed its customers to obtain
reimbursement on their
for good
experience, but that defendants failed to offer this product or
disclose its existence to their customers,
favoring other
their duties as insurance
products instead,
brokers. Plaintiffs
seek a determination that defendants
unlawfully failed to comply with their duty to disclose the
existence of this new insurance product, as well as double or
to a determination that
treble damages (the latter subject
defendants engaged in anti-monopolistic practices in failing to
offer this product). Between late March and early April,
co-defendants filed motions to dismiss the complaint and
for preliminary injunctive relief. A
opposed the request
co-defendant
filed a third-party Complaint against Antilles
Insurance Company. A preliminary injunction and class
certification hearing originally scheduled for April 6th was
subsequently postponed, pending resolution of the motions to
dismiss. On July 31, 2017, the Court dismissed the complaint
with prejudice.
In August 2017, plaintiffs appealed this
judgment. Because of the passing of Hurricane Maria, the Court
temporarily stayed all legal proceedings, including any filing
the Popular
deadlines.
Defendants filed their opposition brief on November 29, 2017,
ahead of
is now ripe for
adjudication by the Court of Appeals.

In accordance with such directive,

the filing deadline. The appeal

A third putative class action also tangentially related to
hazard insurance policies and captioned Morales v. Banco
Popular de Puerto Rico, et al., was filed in May 2017. Plaintiffs
aver
that BPPR forced-placed hazard insurance on their
mortgaged properties in violation of Puerto Rico’s implied
covenant of good faith, BPPR’s alleged fiduciary duties as the
escrow account manager of their mortgage loans, the Truth in
Influenced and
Lending Act (“TILA”) and the Racketeer
seek class
Corrupt Organizations Act
certification, an order enjoining BPPR and other unnamed
fraudulent
defendants
practices
insurance,
unspecified compensatory damages, costs and attorneys’ fees.
On July 19, 2017, BPPR filed a motion for summary judgment,
which the Court granted on December 29, 2017. Given that
plaintiffs did not appeal this determination, such decision is
now final and unappealable.

from maintaining
concerning

their
forced-placed

allegedly
hazard

(RICO). Plaintiffs

Mortgage-Related Litigation and Claims
BPPR has been named a defendant in a putative class action
captioned Lilliam González Camacho, et al. v. Banco Popular de
Puerto Rico, et al., filed before the United States District Court
for the District of Puerto Rico on behalf of mortgage-holders
who have allegedly been subjected to illegal foreclosures and/or
loan modifications through their mortgage servicers. Plaintiffs
essentially contend that when they sought to reduce their loan
payments, defendants failed to provide them with reduced loan
payments, instead subjecting them to lengthy loss mitigation
them in
processes while filing foreclosure claims against
parallel. Plaintiffs assert that such actions violate HAMP, HARP
and other loan modification programs, as well as the Puerto
Rico Mortgage Debtor Assistance Act and TILA. For the alleged
violations stated above, Plaintiffs request that all Defendants
(over 20 separate defendants have been named, including all
local banks), jointly and severally, respond in an amount of no
less than $400 million. BPPR waived service of process in June
and filed a motion to dismiss in August which is pending
resolution. Plaintiffs unsuccessfully sought
to amend the
leave, and subsequently appealed the
complaint without
District Court’s decision to strike the complaint
from the
record. Such appeal is also pending resolution.

BPPR has also been named a defendant in two separate
putative class actions captioned Costa Dorada Apartment Corp.,
et al. v. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, et al., and Yiries Josef Saad
Maura v. Banco Popular, et al., filed by the same counsel who
filed the González Camacho action referenced above, on behalf
of commercial and residential customers of the defendant banks
who have allegedly been subject to illegal foreclosures and/or
loan modifications through their mortgage servicers. Plaintiffs
essentially contend that when they sought to reduce their loan
payments, defendants failed to provide them with reduced loan
payments, instead subjecting them to lengthy loss mitigation
processes while filing foreclosure claims against
them in
parallel (dual tracking), all in violation of TILA, the Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act
the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act (“ECOA”), the Fair Credit Reporting Act
(“FCRA”), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”)
and other consumer-protection laws and regulations. They
demand approximately $1 billion (in Costa Dorada) and
unspecified damages (in Saad Maura). Banco Popular has not
yet been served with summons in relation to the Costa Dorada
Matter. On January 3, 2018, plaintiffs in the Saad Maura case
requested that Banco Popular waive service of process, which it
agreed to do on February 1, 2018. A response is not yet due.
in a complaint

for
damages and breach of contract captioned Héctor Robles
Rodriguez et al. v. Municipio de Ceiba, et al. Plaintiffs are
residents of a development called Hacienda Las Lomas.
Through the Doral Bank-FDIC assisted transaction, BPPR
acquired a significant number of mortgage loans within in this
development and is currently the primary creditor in the

BPPR has been named a defendant

(“RESPA”),

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 161

against

the relevant

claim damages

the developer,
project. Plaintiffs
insurance companies, and most
contractor,
recently, their mortgage lenders, because of a landslide that
occurred in October 2015, affecting various streets and houses
within the development. Plaintiffs specifically allege that the
mortgage lenders, including BPPR, should be deemed liable for
their alleged failure to properly inspect the subject properties.
Plaintiffs demand in excess of $30 million in damages and the
annulment of their mortgage deeds. BPPR extended plaintiffs
three consecutive six-month payment forbearances, the last of
which is still in effect, and has recently engaged in preliminary
settlement discussions with plaintiffs. In November 2017, the
FDIC notified BPPR that it had agreed to indemnify the Bank in
connection with its Doral-related exposure, pursuant to the
terms of the relevant Purchase and Assumption Agreement.

for

that

information from departments of

investigate mortgage-related conduct.

Mortgage-Related Investigations
The Corporation and its subsidiaries from time to time receive
the U.S.
requests
government
In
particular, BPPR has received subpoenas and other requests for
information from the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Office
of the Inspector General, the Civil Division of the Department
of Justice, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset
Relief Program and the Federal Department of Housing and
Urban Development’s Office of the Inspector General mainly
and
concerning
and
construction loans
in Puerto Rico. The Corporation is
cooperating with these requests and is in discussions with the
relevant U.S. government departments regarding the resolution
of such matters. There can be no assurances as to the outcome
of those discussions.

residential

appraisals

estate

real

Separately, it has come to the attention of management that
certain letters generated by the Corporation to comply with
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”)
rules
requiring written notification to borrowers who have submitted
a loss mitigation application were not mailed to borrowers over
a period of up to approximately three-years due to a systems
interface error. Loss mitigation is a process whereby creditors
work with mortgage loan borrowers who are having difficulties
making their loan payments on their debt. The loss mitigation
process applies both to mortgage loans held by the Corporation
and to mortgage loans serviced by the Corporation for third
parties. The Corporation has corrected the systems interface
error that caused the letters not to be sent.

The Corporation has notified applicable regulators and is
conducting a review of its mortgage files to assess the scope of
impact. Based on currently available
potential customer
information, we believe that although the mailing error
extended to approximately 20,000 residential mortgage loans
(approximately 50% of which are serviced by the Corporation
for third parties), the number of borrowers actually affected by
the mailing error was substantially lower due to, among other

162 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

things, the fact that more than half of all borrowers potentially
subject to such error closed on a permanent loss mitigation
alternative and the fact that the Corporation regularly uses
means other than the mail to communicate with borrowers,
including email and hand delivery of written notices at our
mortgage servicing centers or bank branches.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Corporation began
outreach to potentially affected borrowers with outstanding
loans that had not already closed on a permanent
loss
mitigation alternative to encourage them to continue or restart
their loss mitigation process. While the Corporation has made a
preliminary determination regarding the impact
the
systems interface error may have had on borrowers who
proceeded through the foreclosure process, such determination
is still subject to further review. The Corporation expects to
complete this assessment and reach out to applicable regulators
before the end of the first quarter of 2018 to share the results
thereof, as well as any related remediation plans. At this point,
we are not able to estimate the financial impact of the failure to
mail the loss mitigation notices.

that

debtors

involuntary

subsequently

(the “Lenders”)
proceeding

Other Significant Proceedings
In June 2017, a syndicate comprised of BPPR and other local
filed an involuntary Chapter 11
banks
bankruptcy
and
against Betteroads Asphalt
Betterecycling Corporation (the “Involuntary Debtors”). This
filing followed attempts by the Lenders to restructure and
resolve the Involuntary Debtors’ obligations and outstanding
defaults under a certain credit agreement, first through good
faith negotiations and subsequently, through the filing of a
collection action against the Involuntary Debtors in local court.
counterclaimed,
The
asserting damages in excess of $900 million. The Lenders
ultimately joined in the commencement of these involuntary
bankruptcy proceedings against
to
preserve and recover the Involuntary Debtors’ assets, having
confirmed that the Involuntary Debtors were transferring assets
out of their estate for little or no consideration. The Involuntary
Debtors subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings
and for damages against the syndicate, arguing both that this
petition was filed in bad faith and that there was a bona fide
dispute as to the petitioners’ claims, as set
forth in the
counterclaim filed by the Involuntary Debtors in local court.
The court allowed limited discovery to take place prior to an
evidentiary hearing (still unscheduled and to be held after the
discovery cut-off date) to determine the merits of debtors’
motion to dismiss. At a hearing held in November 2017, the
Court determined that it was inclined to rule against the
dismissal of the complaint but requested that the parties submit
supplemental briefs on the subject, which the parties did.
Discovery is ongoing.

the Debtors

in order

one

claimed

damages

arbitration with

POPULAR SECURITIES
Puerto Rico Bonds and Closed-End Investment Funds
The volatility in prices and declines in value that Puerto Rico
municipal bonds and closed-end investment companies that
invest primarily in Puerto Rico municipal bonds have
experienced since August 2013 have led to regulatory inquiries,
customer complaints and arbitrations for most broker-dealers in
Puerto Rico, including Popular Securities. Popular Securities
has received customer complaints and is named as a respondent
(among other broker-dealers) in 111 arbitration proceedings
with aggregate claimed amounts of approximately $228 million,
including
of
approximately $78 million in which another Puerto Rico
broker-dealer
is a co-defendant. While Popular Securities
believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted in
these proceedings, it has often determined that it is in its best
interest to settle such claims rather than expend the money and
resources required to see such cases to completion. The
Government’s defaults and non-payment of its various debt
obligations, the Commonwealth government’s and the Financial
Oversight Management
pursue
Board’s
restructurings under Title III and Title VI of PROMESA have
increased and may continue to increase the number of customer
filed against Popular
complaints
Securities concerning Puerto Rico bonds,
including bonds
issued by COFINA and GDB, and closed-end investment
companies that invest primarily in Puerto Rico bonds. An
adverse result in the matters described above or a significant
increase in customer complaints could have a material adverse
effect on Popular.

(and claimed damages)

decision

to

Subpoenas for Production of Documents in relation to
PROMESA Title III Proceedings
Popular Securities has, together with Popular, Inc. and BPPR
(collectively, the “Popular Companies”) filed an appearance in
connection with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s pending
Title III bankruptcy proceeding. Its appearance was prompted
by a request by the Commonwealth’s Unsecured Creditors’
Committee (“UCC”) to allow a broad discovery program under
Rule 2004 to investigate, among other things, the causes of the
Puerto Rico financial crisis. The Rule 2004 request sought
broad discovery not only from the Popular Companies, but also
from Banco Santander de Puerto Rico (“Santander”) and others,
spanning in excess of eleven (11) years. In their respective
objections, both the Popular Companies and Santander argued
that these requests go substantially beyond the permissible
scope of Rule 2004 discovery programs and should either be
denied outright or substantially modified. A hearing before
Magistrate Judge Gail Dein was held on August 9, 2017. At the
hearing, the Court requested that the UCC and the PROMESA
Oversight Board, who opposed the UCC’s request, submit
further briefing on this subject. The parties argued their
the omnibus hearing held on
respective positions

at

November 15, 2017. Upon listening to arguments on this
matter, Magistrate Dein denied the UCC’s request without
prejudice, to allow the law firm of Kobre & Kim to carry out its
own independent investigation on behalf of the PROMESA
Oversight Board.

from the UCC and COFINA Agents

Since the August 2017 hearing, the Popular Companies have
been served with additional requests for the preservation and
voluntary production of certain COFINA-related documents
and witnesses
in
connection with the COFINA-Commonwealth adversary
complaint, as well as from the Oversight Board’s Independent
Investigator, Kobre & Kim. The Popular Companies are
cooperating with all such requests but have asked that such
requests be submitted in the form of a subpoena to address
privacy and confidentiality considerations pertaining to some of
the documents involved in the production.

POPULAR COMMUNITY BANK
Josefina Valle v. Popular Community Bank
PCB has been named a defendant in a putative class action
complaint captioned Josefina Valle, et al. v. Popular Community
Bank, filed in November 2012 in the New York State Supreme
Court (New York County). Plaintiffs, PCB customers, allege
among other things that PCB has engaged in unfair and
deceptive acts and trade practices in connection with the
assessment of overdraft
fees and payment processing on
consumer deposit accounts. The complaint further alleges that
PCB improperly disclosed its consumer overdraft policies and
that the overdraft rates and fees assessed by PCB violate New
seek unspecified damages,
York’s usury laws. Plaintiffs
including punitive damages,
interest, disbursements, and
attorneys’ fees and costs.

A motion to dismiss was filed on September 9, 2013. On
October 25, 2013, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint seeking
to limit the putative class to New York account holders. A
motion to dismiss the amended complaint was filed in February
2014. In August 2014, the Court entered an order granting in
part PCB’s motion to dismiss. The sole surviving claim relates
to PCB’s item processing policy. On September 10, 2014,
plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file a second amended
complaint to correct certain deficiencies noted in the court’s
decision and order. PCB subsequently filed a motion in
opposition to plaintiff’s motion for leave to amend and further
sought to compel arbitration. In June 2015, this matter was
reassigned to a new judge and on July 22, 2015, such Court
denied PCB’s motion to compel arbitration and granted
plaintiffs’ motion for leave to amend the complaint to replead
reordering,
certain
misstatement of balance information and failure to notify
customers in advance of potential overdrafts. The Court did
not, however, allow plaintiffs to replead their claim for the
alleged breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing. On August 12, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a second amended

item processing

claims

based

on

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 163

trusts since the decisions of
the trusts are predetermined
through the trust documents and the guarantee of the trust
preferred securities is irrelevant since in substance the sponsor
is guaranteeing its own debt.

Also,

the Corporation is involved with various special
purpose entities mainly in guaranteed mortgage securitization
including GNMA and FNMA. These special
transactions,
purpose entities are deemed to be VIEs since they lack equity
investments at risk. The Corporation’s continuing involvement
in these guaranteed loan securitizations
includes owning
certain beneficial interests in the form of securities as well as
the servicing rights retained. The Corporation is not required to
provide additional
financial support to any of the variable
interest entities to which it has transferred the financial assets.
The mortgage-backed securities, to the extent retained, are
classified in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of
financial condition as available-for-sale or trading securities.
The Corporation concluded that, essentially,
these entities
(FNMA and GNMA) control the design of their respective VIEs,
dictate the quality and nature of the collateral, require the
underlying insurance, set
the servicing standards via the
servicing guides and can change them at will, and can remove a
primary servicer with cause, and without cause in the case of
FNMA. Moreover, through their guarantee obligations, agencies
(FNMA and GNMA) have the obligation to absorb losses that
could be potentially significant to the VIE.

The Corporation holds variable interests in these VIEs in the
form of agency mortgage-backed securities and collateralized
mortgage obligations, including those securities originated by
the Corporation and those acquired from third parties.
Additionally, the Corporation holds agency mortgage-backed
securities, agency collateralized mortgage obligations and
private label collateralized mortgage obligations issued by third
party VIEs in which it has no other form of continuing
involvement. Refer to Note 31 to the consolidated financial
statements for additional information on the debt securities
outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, which are
classified as available-for-sale and trading securities in the
Corporation’s consolidated statements of financial condition. In
addition, the Corporation holds variable interests in the form of
servicing fees, since it retains the right to service the transferred
loans in those government-sponsored special purpose entities
(“SPEs”) and may also purchase the right to service loans in
other government-sponsored SPEs that were transferred to
those SPEs by a third-party.

The following table presents the carrying amount and
classification of the assets related to the Corporation’s variable
interests in non-consolidated VIEs and the maximum exposure

complaint. On August 24, 2015, PCB filed a Notice of Appeal as
to the order granting leave to file the second amended
complaint and on September 17, 2015, it filed a motion to
dismiss the second amended complaint. On February 18, 2016,
the Court granted in part and denied in part PCB’s pending
motion to dismiss. The Court dismissed plaintiffs’ unfair and
deceptive acts and trade practices claim to the extent it sought
to recover overdraft fees incurred prior to September 2011. On
March 28, 2016, PCB filed an answer to second amended
complaint and on April 7, 2016, it filed a notice of appeal on
the partial denial of PCB’s motion to dismiss. A mediation
session held on September 21, 2016 proved unsuccessful. On
January 3, 2017, PCB filed a brief with the Appellate Division in
support of its appeal of the lower Court’s prior order that
granted in part and denied in part PCB’s motion to dismiss
plaintiffs’ second amended complaint. Oral argument was held
on April 4, 2017. On April 25, 2017, the Court issued an order
denying PCB’s appeal from the partial denial of our motion to
the parties reached an
dismiss. On November 13, 2017,
agreement in principle. Under this agreement, subject to certain
customary conditions including court approval of a final
settlement agreement in consideration for the full settlement
and release of defendant, an amount up to $5.2 million will be
paid to qualified plaintiffs.

Eugene Duncan v. Popular North America
Popular North America has been named a defendant in a
putative class action complaint captioned Duncan v. Popular
North America, filed on January 29, 2018 in the United States
for the Eastern District of New York. The
District Court
complaint generally asserts
that Popular North America
(“PNA”) failed to design, construct, maintain and operate its
website to be fully accessible to and independently usable by
plaintiff and other blind or visually-impaired people, and that
PNA’s denial of
full and equal access to its website, and
therefore to its products and services, violates the Americans
with Disabilities Act. Plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction to
cause a change in defendant’s allegedly unlawful corporate
policies, practices and procedures so that its website becomes
to blind and visually impaired
and remains
customers. On February 15, 2018, Popular North America
requested an extension of time to answer the complaint or
otherwise plead. A response is not yet due.

accessible

Note 28 - Non-consolidated variable interest entities
The Corporation is involved with four statutory trusts which it
established to issue trust preferred securities to the public.
These trusts are deemed to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”)
since the equity investors at risk have no substantial decision-
making rights. The Corporation does not hold any variable
interest
in the trusts, and therefore, cannot be the trusts’
primary beneficiary. Furthermore, the Corporation concluded
that it did not hold a controlling financial interest in these

164 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

to loss as a result of the Corporation’s involvement as servicer
of GNMA and FNMA loans at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Assets
Servicing assets:

Mortgage servicing rights

Total servicing assets

Other assets:

Servicing advances

Total other assets

Total assets

Maximum exposure to loss

2017

2016

$132,692

$158,562

$132,692

$158,562

$ 47,742

$ 20,787

$ 47,742

$ 20,787

$180,434

$179,349

$180,434

$179,349

The size of

in which the
the non-consolidated VIEs,
Corporation has a variable interest in the form of servicing fees,
measured as the total unpaid principal balance of the loans,
amounted to $11.7 billion at December 31, 2017 (December 31,
2016 - $12.3 billion).

The Corporation determined that the maximum exposure to
loss includes the fair value of the MSRs and the assumption that
the servicing advances at December 31, 2017 and 2016 will not
be recovered. The agency debt securities are not included as
part of the maximum exposure to loss since they are guaranteed
by the related agencies.

In September of 2011, BPPR sold construction and
commercial real estate loans to a newly created joint venture,
PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC. In March of 2013, BPPR completed
a sale of commercial and construction loans, and commercial
and single family real estate owned to a newly created joint
venture, PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1 International, LLC.

These joint ventures were created for the limited purpose of
acquiring the loans from BPPR; servicing the loans through a
third-party servicer; ultimately working out, resolving and/or
foreclosing the loans; and indirectly owning, operating,
constructing, developing, leasing and selling any real properties
acquired by the joint ventures through deed in lieu of
foreclosure, foreclosure, or by resolution of any loan.

BPPR provided financing to PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC and
PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1 International, LLC for the acquisition
of the assets in an amount equal to the acquisition loan of
$86 million and $182 million, respectively. The acquisition
loans have a 5-year maturity and bear a variable interest at
30-day LIBOR plus 300 basis points and are secured by a pledge
of all of
In addition, BPPR
provided these joint ventures with a non-revolving advance
facility (the “advance facility”) of $69 million and $35 million,
respectively,
and
costs-to-complete related to certain construction projects, and a
revolving working capital line (the “working capital line”) of
to fund certain
$20 million and $30 million, respectively,
these
operating expenses of

the joint venture. As part of

the acquiring entity’s assets.

commitments

unfunded

cover

to

transactions, BPPR received $ 48 million and $92 million,
respectively, in cash and a 24.9% equity interest in each joint
venture. The Corporation is not required to provide any other
financial support to these joint ventures.

BPPR accounted for both transactions as a true sale pursuant

to ASC Subtopic 860-10.

The Corporation has determined that PRLP 2011 Holdings,
LLC and PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1 International, LLC are VIEs
but it is not the primary beneficiary. All decisions are made by
Caribbean Property Group (“CPG”) (or an affiliate thereof) (the
“Manager”), except for certain limited material decisions which
would require the unanimous consent of all members. The
Manager is authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the
joint ventures any and all documents, contracts, certificates,
agreements and instruments, and to take any action deemed
necessary in the benefit of the joint ventures.

The Corporation holds variable interests in these VIEs in the
form of the 24.9% equity interests and the financing provided
to these joint ventures. The equity interest is accounted for
under the equity method of accounting pursuant
to ASC
Subtopic 323-10.

The following tables present

the carrying amount and
related to the
the assets and liabilities
classification of
Corporation’s variable interests in the non-consolidated VIEs,
PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC and PR Asset Portfolio 2013-
International, LLC, and their maximum exposure to loss at
December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Assets

Loans held-in-portfolio:
Advances under the

working capital line

$

Advances under the
advance facility

Total loans

held-in-portfolio

$

Accrued interest receivable $
Other assets:

PRLP 2011
Holdings, LLC

PR Asset
Portfolio 2013-1
International, LLC

2017

2016

2017

2016

–

–

–

–

$

– $

–

– $

– $

$

$

–

–

–

–

$ 1,391

2,475

$ 3,866

$

19

Equity investment

Total assets

Liabilities

Deposits
Total liabilities

Total net assets

$7,199

$7,199

$ 9,167 $ 12,874

$22,378

$ 9,167 $ 12,874

$26,263

$ (20)
$ (20)

$7,179

$(1,127) $(10,501) $ (9,692)
$(1,127) $(10,501) $ (9,692)

$ 8,040 $ 2,373

$16,571

Maximum exposure to loss $7,179

$ 8,040 $ 2,373

$16,571

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 165

as

to

the

risk

The

credit

attributed

required by the

counterparty’s
nonperformance risk is incorporated in the fair value of the
derivatives. Additionally,
fair value
measurements guidance, the fair value of the Corporation’s own
credit standing is considered in the fair value of the derivative
liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2017, inclusion
of the credit risk in the fair value of the derivatives resulted in a
gain of $0.2 million (2016 –loss of $ 0.9 million; 2015 –loss of $
0.8 million) from the Corporation’s credit standing adjustment
and a loss of $0.1 million (2016 – gain of $ 0.4 million; 2015 –
gain of $0.3 million) from the assessment of the counterparties’
credit risk.

Market risk is the adverse effect that a change in interest
rates, currency exchange rates, or implied volatility rates might
have on the value of a financial instrument. The Corporation
manages the market risk associated with interest rates and, to a
limited extent, with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange
rates by establishing and monitoring limits for the types and
degree of risk that may be undertaken.

Pursuant to the Corporation’s accounting policy, the fair
value of derivatives is not offset with the amounts for the right
to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash
collateral. At December 31, 2017, the amount recognized for
the right
to reclaim cash collateral under master netting
agreements was $94 thousand and no amount was recognized
for the obligation to return cash collateral (December 31, 2016 -
$ 4 million and no amount, respectively).

covenants

tied to the

Certain of the Corporation’s derivative instruments include
financial
corresponding banking
subsidiary’s well-capitalized status and credit rating. These
agreements could require exposure collateralization, early
termination or both. The aggregate fair value of all derivative
instruments with contingent features that were in a liability
position
thousand
(December 31, 2016 - $0.8 million). Based on the contractual
obligations established on these derivative instruments, the
Corporation has fully collateralized these positions by pledging
collateral of $94 thousand at December 31, 2017 (December 31,
2016 - $ 4 million).

at December

2017 was

$10

31,

The Corporation determined that the maximum exposure to
loss under a worst case scenario at December 31, 2017 would
be not recovering the net assets held by the Corporation as of
the reporting date.

should be made

to determine whether

ASU 2009-17 requires that an ongoing primary beneficiary
assessment
the
Corporation is the primary beneficiary of any of the VIEs it is
involved with. The conclusion on the assessment of these
non-consolidated VIEs has not changed since their initial
evaluation. The Corporation concluded that it is still not the
primary beneficiary of these VIEs, and therefore, these VIEs are
not required to be consolidated in the Corporation’s financial
statements at December 31, 2017.

Note 29 - Derivative instruments and hedging activities
The use of derivatives
the
incorporated as part of
is
Corporation’s overall interest rate risk management strategy to
minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings and
cash flows that are caused by interest rate volatility. The
Corporation’s goal
is to manage interest rate sensitivity by
modifying the repricing or maturity characteristics of certain
balance sheet assets and liabilities so that the net interest
income is not materially affected by movements in interest
rates. The Corporation uses derivatives in its trading activities
to facilitate customer transactions, and as a means of risk
management. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, hedged
fixed and variable interest rate assets and liabilities will
appreciate or depreciate in fair value. The effect of
this
unrealized appreciation or depreciation is expected to be
substantially offset by the Corporation’s gains or losses on the
derivative instruments that are linked to these hedged assets
and liabilities. As a matter of policy, the Corporation does not
use highly leveraged derivative instruments for interest rate risk
management.

the fair value of

By using derivative instruments, the Corporation exposes
itself to credit and market risk. If a counterparty fails to fulfill
its performance obligations under a derivative contract, the
Corporation’s credit risk will equal
the
derivative asset. Generally, when the fair value of a derivative
contract is positive, this indicates that the counterparty owes
risk for the
the Corporation,
Corporation. To manage
the
risk,
the
Corporation deals with counterparties of good credit standing,
enters into master netting agreements whenever possible and,
when appropriate, obtains collateral. On the other hand, when
the fair value of a derivative contract
the
Corporation owes the counterparty and, therefore, the fair
value of derivatives liabilities incorporates nonperformance risk
or the risk that the obligation will not be fulfilled.

thus creating a repayment

is negative,

level of

credit

166 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges or non-hedging derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were
as follows:

$ 98,850

$105,290

Other assets

hedging instruments

$ 98,850

$105,290

Notional amount

Derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

At December 31,
2016
2017

Statement
of condition
classification

Fair value at
December 31,
2016
2017

Statement
of condition
classification

Fair value at
December 31,
2016
2017

$

$

$

$

$

$

76

76

180
10

Other liabilities

34

34

9
759

Other liabilities
Other liabilities

$ 70,850
2,252

$

709
112,554

Trading account
securities
Other assets

–
185,596
70,306

2,637
191,738
73,470

Other assets
Other assets
Other assets

–
97
16,356

36
388
12,868

66,077

69,957

–

–

–

Other liabilities
Other liabilities
–
Interest bearing
deposits

$

$

$

$

$

$

132

132

19
10

–
87
–

715

715

–
810

22
331
–

14,183

10,964

(In thousands)

Derivatives designated as hedging

instruments:
Forward contracts

Total derivatives designated as

Derivatives not designated as

hedging instruments:

Forward contracts

Interest rate swaps
Foreign currency forward

contracts

Interest rate caps
Indexed options on deposits
Bifurcated embedded options

Total derivatives not designated as

hedging instruments

$395,081

$451,065

$16,643

$14,060

$14,299

$12,127

Total derivative assets and

liabilities

$493,931

$556,355

$16,719

$14,094

$14,431

$12,842

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 167

Cash Flow Hedges
The Corporation utilizes forward contracts to hedge the sale of
mortgage-backed securities with duration terms over one
month. Interest rate forwards are contracts for the delayed
delivery of securities, which the seller agrees to deliver on a
specified future date at a specified price or yield. These forward
contracts are hedging a forecasted transaction and thus qualify

for cash flow hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of the
derivatives are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).
The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) corresponding to these forward contracts is
expected to be reclassified to earnings in the next twelve
months. These contracts have a maximum remaining maturity
of 79 days at December 31, 2017.

For cash flow hedges, net gains (losses) on derivative contracts that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) to current period earnings are included in the line item in which the hedged item is recorded and during the period
in which the forecasted transaction impacts earnings, as presented in the tables below.

Year ended December 31, 2017

Amount of net gain (loss)
recognized in OCI on
derivatives (effective
portion)

$(1,295)

$(1,295)

(In thousands)

Forward contracts

Total

Classification in the statement of
operations of the net gain (loss)
reclassified from AOCI into income
(effective portion and
ineffective portion)

Mortgage banking activities

Amount of net gain (loss)
reclassified from AOCI into
income (effective portion)

Amount of net gain (loss)
recognized in income on
derivatives
(ineffective portion)

$(1,920)

$(1,920)

$32

$32

Year ended December 31, 2016

Amount of net gain (loss)
recognized in OCI on
derivatives (effective
portion)

$(3,612)

$(3,612)

(In thousands)

Forward contracts

Total

Classification in the statement of
operations of the net gain (loss)
reclassified from AOCI into income
(effective portion and
ineffective portion)

Mortgage banking activities

Amount of net gain (loss)
reclassified from AOCI into
income (effective portion)

Amount of net gain (loss)
recognized in income on
derivatives
(ineffective portion)

$(3,148)

$(3,148)

$ (1)

$ (1)

Year ended December 31, 2015

Amount of net gain (loss)
recognized in OCI on
derivatives (effective
portion)

$(4,376)

$(4,376)

(In thousands)

Forward contracts

Total

Classification in the statement of
operations of the net gain (loss)
reclassified from AOCI into income
(effective portion and
ineffective portion)

Mortgage banking activities

Amount of net gain (loss)
reclassified from AOCI into
income (effective portion)

Amount of net gain (loss)
recognized in income on
derivatives
(ineffective portion)

$(4,719)

$(4,719)

$17

$17

Fair Value Hedges
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

168 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Non-Hedging Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation recognized a loss of $ 0.9 million (2016 – loss of $ 0.1 million; 2015 – loss
of $ 0.3 million) related to its non-hedging derivatives, as detailed in the table below.

(In thousands)

Forward contracts
Interest rate swaps
Foreign currency forward contracts
Foreign currency forward contracts
Interest rate caps
Indexed options on deposits
Bifurcated embedded options

Total

Amount of Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives

Classification of Net Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on Derivatives

Year ended
December 31,
2017

Year ended
December 31,
2016

Year ended
December 31,
2015

Mortgage banking activities
Other operating income
Other operating income
Interest expense
Other operating income
Interest expense
Interest expense

$(1,484)
51
67
(14)
(48)
5,934
(5,429)

$ (923)

$ (160)
333
27
12
57
1,981
(2,374)

$ (124)

$(389)
300
49
(4)
–
(334)
73

$(305)

Forward Contracts
The Corporation has forward contracts to sell mortgage-backed
securities, which are accounted for as trading derivatives.
Changes in their fair value are recognized in mortgage banking
activities.

Interest Rates Swaps and Foreign Currency and Exchange
Rate Commitments
In addition to using derivative instruments as part of its interest
rate risk management strategy, the Corporation also utilizes
derivatives, such as interest rate swaps and foreign exchange
forward contracts, in its capacity as an intermediary on behalf
of its customers. The Corporation minimizes its market risk
and credit risk by taking offsetting positions under the same
terms
and
monitoring procedures. Market value changes on these swaps
and other derivatives are recognized in earnings in the period of
change.

and conditions with credit

approvals

limit

Interest Rate Caps
The Corporation enters
an
intermediary on behalf of its customers and simultaneously
takes offsetting positions under the same terms and conditions,
thus minimizing its market and credit risks.

into interest

caps

rate

as

Indexed and Embedded Options
The Corporation offers certain customers’ deposits whose
return are tied to the performance of the Standard and Poor’s
(“S&P 500”) stock market indexes, and other deposits whose
returns are tied to other stock market indexes or other equity
securities performance. The Corporation bifurcated the related
options embedded within these customers’ deposits from the
host contract in accordance with ASC Subtopic 815-15. In order
to limit the Corporation’s exposure to changes in these indexes,
the Corporation purchases indexed options which returns are

tied to the same indexes from major broker dealer companies in
the over the counter market. Accordingly,
the embedded
options and the related indexed options are marked-to-market
through earnings.

Note 30 - Related party transactions
The Corporation grants loans to its directors, executive officers,
including certain related individuals or organizations, and
affiliates in the ordinary course of business. The activity and
balance of these loans were as follows:

(In thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2015
New loans
Payments
Other changes

Balance at December 31, 2016
New loans
Payments
Other changes, including existing loans to new related

parties

Balance at December 31, 2017

$165,238
2,639
(30,639)
(687)

$136,551
17,608
(22,796)

51,626

$182,989

New loans and payments

include disbursements and

collections from existing lines of credit.

In June 2006, family members of a director of the Corporation,
obtained a $0.8 million mortgage loan from Popular Mortgage,
Inc., secured by a residential property. The director was not a
director of the Corporation at the time the loan was made. In
March, 2012 the loan was restructured under the Corporation’s
loss mitigation program. During 2017, the borrower defaulted on
his payment obligations under the restructured loan and as of
December 31, 2017 the loan was 306 days past due. The balance
due on the loan at December 31, 2017 was approximately $0.9
million.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 169

In June 2017, one of our directors acquired new family
relationships by way of marriage. The following loans were
obtained prior to the director’s marriage:

In November 2003, an entity owned by two brothers-in-law
of a director of the Corporation obtained a commercial loan in
the aggregate amount of $0.7 million from Westernbank. The
loan was acquired by BPPR as part of a FDIC assisted
transaction in 2010. The loan is a fully amortizing 30-year loan
with a variable interest rate and it is secured by real estate and
guaranteed by the two brothers-in-law and their wives. The
outstanding principal balance on the loan as of December 31,
2017 was $0.4 million.

In 2010, as part of

foreclosure in June 2017. As a result of

In May 2001, brother-in-law of a director of the Corporation
obtained a $0.3 million mortgage loan from Doral Bank,
secured by a residential property. The loan was a fully
amortizing 30-year loan with a fixed annual rate of 7.250%. The
borrower became delinquent on his payments commencing in
October 2011. After
the FDIC placed Doral Bank in
receivership in 2015, BPPR began to act as servicer of the loan
for the benefit of a third-party investor. After exhausting
various collection and loss mitigation efforts, BPPR, acting as
servicer, and the borrower, negotiated and entered into a deed
that
in lieu of
transaction, the third-party investor acquired the residential
property that secured the mortgage loan and recorded a loss of
$0.2 million. At the time of closing of the deed in lieu of
foreclosure transactions, the outstanding principal balance of
the loan was $0.3 million and the loan payoff amount,
including principal, interest and other accrued fees was $0.4
million. The deed in lieu of foreclosure was approved and
ratified by the Audit Committee under the Related Party Policy.
the Westernbank FDIC assisted
transaction, BPPR acquired (i) four commercial loans made to
entities that were wholly owned by one brother-in-law of a
director of the Corporation and (ii) one commercial loan made
to an entity that was owned by the same brother-in-law
together with this director’s father-in-law and another brother-
in-law. The loans were secured by real estate and personally
guaranteed by the owners of each entity. The loans were
originated by Westerbank between 2001 and 2005 and had an
aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $33.5
million when they were acquired by BPPR in 2010. Between
2011 and 2014, the loans were restructured to consist of (i) five
notes with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $19.8
million with a 6% annual interest rate (“Notes A”) and (ii) five
notes with an aggregate outstanding balance of $13.5 million
with a 1% annual
interest rate, to be paid upon maturity
(“Notes B”). The restructured notes had a maturity of
September 30, 2016 and, thereafter, various interim renewals
were approved, with the last two renewals occurring in June
2017 and October 2017, with the renewed loans maturing in
January 31, 2018. The June renewals included a six-month
principal moratorium for four of the Notes A commencing on

170 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

March 2017 and a change in the interest from 6% to 4.25% in
one of the Notes A. The October renewals included a 60-day
moratorium of principal and interest on all of the Notes A and a
subsequent 60-day principal moratorium on four of the Notes
A. The aggregate outstanding balance on the loans as of
December 31, 2017 was approximately $32.1 million. Although
the loans were not paid by the borrowers upon their expiration
on January 31, 2018, borrowers have continued to make
payments of principal and interest for all Notes A, except one in
which they are only making interest payments. The June and
October renewals and moratoriums were ratified by the Audit
Committee under the Related Party Policy.

In April 2010, in connection with the acquisition of the
Westernbank assets from the FDIC, as receiver, BPPR acquired
a term loan to a corporate borrower partially owned by an
investment corporation in which the Corporation’s Executive
Chairman, at that time the Chief Executive Officer, as well as
certain of his family members, are the owners. In addition, the
officer’s sister and brother-in-law are owners of an entity that
holds an ownership interest in the borrower. At the time the
loan was acquired by BPPR, it had an unpaid principal balance
of $40.2 million. In May 2017, this loan was sold by BPPR to
Popular, Inc., holding company (“PIHC”). At the time of sale,
the loan had an unpaid principal balance of $37.9 million.
PIHC paid $37.9 million to BPPR for the loan, of which $6.0
million was recognized by BPPR as a capital contribution
representing the difference between the fair value and the book
value of the loan at the time of transfer. Immediately upon
being acquired by BHC, the loan’s maturity was extended by 90
days (under the same terms as originally contracted) to provide
the BHC additional time to evaluate a refinancing or long-term
extension of the loan. In August 2017, the credit facility was
refinanced with a stated maturity in February 2019. The facility
was subject to the loan payment moratorium offered as part of
the hurricane relief efforts. As
interest payments
amounting to approximately $0.5 million were deferred and
capitalized as part of the loan balance. As of December 31,
2017, the unpaid principal balance amounted to $38.2 million.
The renewal, acquisition and refinancing described above were
approved by the Audit Committee under the Related Party
Policy.

such,

On February 2018, BPPR entered into a definitive asset
purchase agreement for the acquisition of the Reliable Financial
Services and Reliable Financial Holding Company auto finance
business in Puerto Rico. Refer to Note 42 for additional
information on this transaction. As part of the acquisition
transaction, BPPR agreed to enter in an agreement with Reliable
Financial Services to sublease the space necessary for BPPR to
continue the acquired operations. Reliable Financial Services’
lease agreement is with the entity in which the Corporation’s
Executive Chairman and his
family members hold an
ownership interest, described in the preceeding paragraph as
having a loan with the Corporation. The estimated total rental

amount to be paid during a 12-month period by BPPR to
Reliable Financial Services under the sublease is approximately
$2 million. BPPR’s agreement to enter into a sublease with
Reliable Financial Services in connection with the acquisition
transaction was ratified by the Audit Committee under the
Related Party Policy.

The Corporation has had loan transactions with the
Corporation’s directors, executive officers,
including certain
related individuals or organizations, and affiliates, and proposes
to continue such transactions in the ordinary course of its
business, on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable loan
transactions with third parties, except as disclosed above.
Except as discussed above, the extensions of credit have not
involved and do not currently involve more than normal risks
of collection or present other unfavorable features.
31, 2017,

the Corporation’s banking
subsidiaries held deposits from related parties, excluding
Inc. (“EVERTEC”) amounting to $431 million
EVERTEC,
(2016 - $328 million).

At December

From time to time, the Corporation, in the ordinary course
of business, obtains services from related parties that have some
association with the Corporation. Management believes the
terms of such arrangements are consistent with arrangements
entered into with independent third parties.

During 2017 the Corporation engaged,

in the ordinary
course of business, the legal services of a law firm of which the
father-in-law of an officer of the Corporation, is a partner. The
fees paid to this firm for the fiscal year 2017 amounted to
approximately
the
aforementioned law firm was approved and ratified by the
Audit Committee under the Related Party Policy.

$0.2 million. The

engagement

of

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
made contributions of approximately $1.0 million to Banco
Popular Foundations, which are not-for-profit corporations
dedicated to philanthropic work (2016 - $1.5 million). In
contributed
addition,

the Corporation

during

2017,

(In thousands)

Equity investment in EVERTEC

approximately $1.2 million to the Embracing Puerto Rico
campaign which supports Hurricane Maria relief initiatives, and
$0.3 million to the Employee Emergency Fund, both of which
are sponsored by the BPPR Foundation. The Corporation also
provided human and operational resources to support
the
activities of
the Puerto Rico Foundation which in 2017
amounted to approximately $1.2 million.

in EVERTEC,
various processing

Related party transactions with EVERTEC, as an affiliate
The Corporation has an investment
Inc.
and
(“EVERTEC”), which provides
information technology services to the Corporation and its
subsidiaries and gives BPPR access to the ATH network owned
and operated by EVERTEC. As of December 31, 2017, the
Corporation’s stake in EVERTEC was 16.10%.The Corporation
continues
influence over EVERTEC.
Accordingly, the investment in EVERTEC is accounted for
under the equity method and is evaluated for impairment if
events or circumstances indicate that a decrease in value of the
investment has occurred that is other than temporary.

to have significant

for

the

On May 26, 2016, EVERTEC, Inc. filed its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which
ended
included restated audited results
December 31, 2014 and 2013, correcting certain errors involved
with the accounting for tax positions taken by EVERTEC in the
2010 tax year and other miscellaneous accounting adjustments.
The Corporation’s proportionate share of the cumulative impact
of the EVERTEC restatement and other corrective adjustments
to its financial statements was approximately $2.2 million and
is reflected as part of other non-interest income.

years

The Corporation received $3.5 million in dividend
distributions during the year ended December 31, 2017 from its
investments in EVERTEC’s holding company (December 31,
2016 - $4.7 million). The Corporation’s equity in EVERTEC is
presented in the table which follows and is included as part of
financial
“other assets” in the consolidated statement of
condition.

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$47,532

$38,904

The Corporation had the following financial condition balances outstanding with EVERTEC at December 31, 2017 and

December 31, 2016. Items that represent liabilities to the Corporation are presented with parenthesis.

(In thousands)

Accounts receivable (Other assets)
Deposits
Accounts payable (Other liabilities)

Net total

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$ 6,830
(22,284)
(2,040)

$(17,494)

$ 6,394
(14,899)
(20,372)

$(28,877)

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 171

The Corporation’s proportionate share of income from EVERTEC is included in other operating income in the consolidated
statements of operations. The following table presents the Corporation’s proportionate share of EVERTEC’s income and changes in
stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

(In thousands)

Share of income from investment in EVERTEC
Share of other changes in EVERTEC’s stockholders’ equity

Share of EVERTEC’s changes in equity recognized in income

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

$ 8,924
2,659

$11,796
(573)

$11,593
1,636

$11,583

$11,223

$13,229

The following tables present the impact of transactions and service payments between the Corporation and EVERTEC (as an
affiliate) and their impact on the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Items that represent
expenses to the Corporation are presented with parenthesis.

(In thousands)

Years ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

Category

Interest expense on deposits
ATH and credit cards interchange income from services to EVERTEC
Rental income charged to EVERTEC
Processing fees on services provided by EVERTEC
Other services provided to EVERTEC

$

(44) $

(64) $

28,136
6,855
(176,971)
1,236

29,739
6,995
(178,524)
1,052

(58)
27,816
6,898
(164,809)

Interest expense
Other service fees
Net occupancy
Professional fees
1,311 Other operating expenses

Total

$(140,788) $(140,802) $(128,842)

PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC
As indicated in Note 28 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Corporation holds a 24.9% equity interest in PRLP 2011
Holdings, LLC and currently holds certain deposits from the entity.

The Corporation’s equity in PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC is presented in the table which follows and is included as part of “other

assets” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

(In thousands)

Equity investment in PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$7,199

$9,167

The Corporation had the following financial condition balances outstanding with PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC at December 31,

2017 and December 31, 2016.

(In thousands)

Deposits (non-interest bearing)

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$(20)

$(1,127)

The Corporation’s proportionate share of income or loss from PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC is included in other operating income
in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table presents the Corporation’s proportionate share of loss from
PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

(In thousands)

Years ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

Share of loss from the equity investment in PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC

$(972)

$(502) $(4,021)

During the years ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation received $ 1.0 million in capital distributions from its investment in
PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC (December 31, 2016 - $ 3.4 million). The following table presents transactions between the Corporation
and PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC and their impact on the Corporation’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017,
2016 and 2015.

(In thousands)

For the years ended December 31,
2016

2017

2015

Category

Interest income on loan to PRLP 2011 Holdings, LLC

$–

$11

$189

Interest income

172 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1 International, LLC
indicated in Note 28 to the Consolidated Financial
As
Statements, effective March 2013 the Corporation holds a
24.9% equity
2013-1
International, LLC and currently provides certain financing to
the joint venture as well as holds certain deposits from the
entity.

in PR Asset Portfolio

interest

The Corporation’s equity in PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1
International, LLC is presented in the table which follows and
is included as part of “other assets” in the Consolidated
Statements of Financial Condition.

Corporation and PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1 International, LLC
and their impact on the Corporation’s results of operations for
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

(In thousands)

Interest income on
loan to PR Asset
Portfolio 2013-1
International, LLC

Interest expense on

Years ended December 31,
2016

2017

2015

Category

$ 9

$1,011

$2,805

Interest income

deposits

(31)

(4)

(4)

Interest expense

(In thousands)

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

Total

$(22)

$1,007

2,801

Equity investment in
PR Asset Portfolio
2013-1 International,
LLC

$12,874

$22,378

The Corporation had the following financial condition balances
outstanding with PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1 International, LLC,
at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

(In thousands)

Loans
Accrued interest
receivable

Deposits

Net total

December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016

$

–

–
(10,501)

$(10,501)

$ 3,866

19
(9,692)

$(5,807)

The Corporation’s proportionate share of income or loss
from PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1 International, LLC is included
in other operating income in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations. The following table presents the Corporation’s
proportionate share of loss from PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1
International, LLC for years ended December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015.

(In thousands)

Share of loss from the equity

investment in PR Asset Portfolio
2013-1 International, LLC

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

$(2,444) $(2,057) $(6,280)

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
received $ 7.1 million in capital distribution from its
investment in PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1 International, LLC. No
received during the year ended
capital distribution was
December 31, 2016. The Corporation received $0.7 million in
dividend distributions during the year ended December 31,
2017, which were declared by PR Asset Portfolio 2013-1
International, LLC during the year ended December 31, 2016.
transactions between the
The

table presents

following

Centro Financiero BHD León
At December 31, 2017, the Corporation had a 15.84% stake in
Centro Financiero BHD Leon, S.A. (“BHD Leon”), one of the
largest banking and financial services groups in the Dominican
Republic. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the
Corporation recorded $ 24.8 million in earnings from its
investment in BHD Leon (2016 - $ 24.1 million), which had a
carrying amount of $ 135.0 million at December 31, 2017
(December 31, 2016 - $ 125.5 million). As of December 31,
2016 BPPR had extended a credit facility of $ 50 million to BHD
León, with an outstanding balance of $ 25 million. This credit
facility expired during March 2017. On December 2017, BPPR
extended a credit facility of $ 40 million to BHD León, with an
outstanding balance of $ 40 million at year end. The
Corporation received $ 11.8 million in dividend distributions
during the year ended December 31, 2017 from its investment
in BHD Leon (December 31, 2016 - $ 12.1 million).

On June 30, 2017, BPPR extended an $8 million credit
facility to Grupo Financiero Leon, S.A. Panamá (“GFL”), a
shareholder of BHD Leon. The sources of repayment for this
loan are the dividends to be received by GFL from its
investment in BHD Leon. BPPR’s credit facility ranks pari passu
with another $8 million credit facility extended to GFL by BHD
International Panama, an affiliate of BHD Leon.

Puerto Rico Investment Companies
The Corporation provides advisory services to several Puerto
Rico investment companies
in exchange for a fee. The
Corporation also provides administrative, custody and transfer
agency services to these investment companies. These fees are
calculated at an annual rate of the average net assets of the
investment company, as defined in each agreement. Due to its
advisory role,
the Corporation considers these investment
companies as related parties.

For the year ended December 31, 2017 administrative fees
charged to these investment companies amounted to $
7.7 million (2016- $ 8.6 million) and waived fees amounted to
for a net fee of $
$ 2.2 million (2016 - $ 2.8 million),
5.5 million (2016 - $ 5.8 million).

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 173

these instruments does not necessitate a significant degree
of judgment since valuations are based on quoted prices
that are readily available in an active market.

• Level 2 - Quoted prices other than those included in
Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly.
Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or
liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or
similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or
other
can be
corroborated by observable market data for substantially
the full term of the financial instrument.

are observable or

inputs

that

that

• Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair
value measurement. Unobservable inputs
the
Corporation’s own assumptions about assumptions that
market participants would use in pricing the asset or
liability.

reflect

The Corporation maximizes the use of observable inputs and
minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the
observable inputs be used when available. Fair value is based
upon quoted market prices when available. If listed prices or
quotes are not available, the Corporation employs internally-
developed models that primarily use market-based inputs
including yield curves,
interest rates, volatilities, and credit
curves, among others. Valuation adjustments are limited to
those necessary to ensure that the financial instrument’s fair
value is adequately representative of the price that would be
received or paid in the marketplace. These adjustments include
amounts
the
counterparty
Corporation’s credit standing, constraints on liquidity and
unobservable parameters that are applied consistently.

quality,

reflect

credit

that

The estimated fair value may be subjective in nature and
may involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment
for certain financial instruments. Changes in the underlying
assumptions used in calculating fair value could significantly
affect the results.

The Corporation, through its subsidiary Banco Popular de
Puerto Rico, has also entered into lines of credit facilities with
these companies. As of December 31, 2017, the available lines
of credit facilities amounted to $356 million (December 31
2016 - $357 million). The aggregate sum of all outstanding
balances under all credit facilities that may be made available by
BPPR, from time to time, to those Puerto Rico investment
companies for which BPPR acts as investment advisor or
co-investment advisor,
shall never exceed the lesser of
$200 million or 10% of BPPR’s capital.

in connection with the acquisition of

Other Related Party Transactions
In April 2010,
the
Westernbank assets from the FDIC, as receiver, BPPR acquired
a term loan to a corporate borrower partially owned by an
investment corporation in which the Corporation’s Executive
Chairman, at that time the Chief Executive Officer, as well as
certain of his family members, hold an ownership interest. At
the time the loan was acquired by BPPR, it had an unpaid
principal balance of $40.2 million.

In May 2017, this loan was sold by BPPR to Popular, Inc.,
holding company (“PIHC”). At the time of sale, the loan had an
unpaid principal balance of $37.9 million. PIHC paid
$37.9 million to BPPR for the loan, of which $6.0 million was
recognized by BPPR as a capital contribution representing the
difference between the fair value and the book value of the loan
at the time of transfer. Immediately upon being acquired by
BHC, the loan’s maturity was extended by 90 days (under the
same terms as originally contracted) to provide the BHC
additional time to evaluate a refinancing or long-term extension
of the loan. In August 2017, the credit facility was refinanced
with a stated maturity in February 2019. As of December 31,
2017, the unpaid principal balance amounted to $38.2 million.

820-10 “Fair Value Measurements

Note 31 - Fair value measurement
and
ASC Subtopic
Disclosures” establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes
the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value
into three levels
to increase consistency and
comparability in fair value measurements and disclosures. The
hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the
reliability of inputs as follows:

in order

• Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities that the Corporation has the
ability to access at the measurement date. Valuation on

174 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Fair Value on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
The following fair value hierarchy tables present information about the Corporation’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on
a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016 and on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition for the
years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015:

At December 31, 2017

(In thousands)
RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
Mortgage-backed securities
Equity securities
Other
Total investment securities available-for-sale
Trading account securities, excluding derivatives:
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Mortgage-backed securities - federal agencies
Other
Total trading account securities, excluding derivatives
Mortgage servicing rights
Derivatives
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Liabilities
Derivatives
Contingent consideration
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

At December 31, 2016

(In thousands)
RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
Mortgage-backed securities
Equity securities
Other
Total investment securities available-for-sale
Trading account securities, excluding derivatives:
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Mortgage-backed securities - federal agencies
Other
Total trading account securities, excluding derivatives
Mortgage servicing rights
Derivatives
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Liabilities
Derivatives
Contingent consideration
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$503,385
–
–
–
–
–
–
$503,385

$3,424,779
608,933
6,609
943,753
4,687,374
1,815
802
$9,674,065

$

$

–
–
–
–
1,288
–
–
1,288

$ 3,928,164
608,933
6,609
943,753
4,688,662
1,815
802
$10,178,738

$

–
–
–
261
261
–
–
$503,646

$
$

$

$

–
–
–

$

159
–
29,237
12,249
41,645
–
16,719
$9,732,429

$
$

$

–
529
43
529
$
1,101
$ 168,031
–
$ 170,420

$

159
529
29,280
13,039
43,007
168,031
16,719
$10,406,495

$
$

$ (14,431) $

(14,431)
–
(164,858)
(164,858)
$ (14,431) $(164,858) $ (179,289)

–

$

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$–
–
–
–
–
–
–
$–

$–
–
–
–
$–
$–
–
$–

$–
–
$–

$2,136,620
711,850
22,771
1,221,526
4,103,940
2,122
9,585
$8,208,414

$

$

–
–
–
–
1,392
–
–
1,392

$

1,164
–
37,991
13,963
53,118
–
14,094
$8,275,626

$
$

$

–
1,321
4,755
602
$
6,678
$ 196,889
–
$ 204,959

$2,136,620
711,850
22,771
1,221,526
4,105,332
2,122
9,585
$8,209,806

$

1,164
1,321
42,746
14,565
$
59,796
$ 196,889
14,094
$8,480,585

$ (12,842) $

$ (12,842)
–
(153,158)
(153,158)
$ (12,842) $(153,158) $ (166,000)

–

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 175

The fair value information included in the following tables is not as of period end, but as of the date that the fair value
measurement was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and excludes nonrecurring fair value
measurements of assets no longer outstanding as of the reporting date.

(In thousands)

Level 1 Level 2

Level 3

Total

NONRECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Year ended December 31, 2017

Assets

Loans [1]
Other real estate owned [2] [3]
Other foreclosed assets [2]

Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

Write-downs

$–
–
–

$–

$–
–
–

$–

$ 64,041
89,743
2,176

$ 64,041
89,743
2,176

$

$155,960

$155,960

$

(16,807)
(19,085)
(890)

(36,782)

[1] Relates mostly to certain impaired collateral dependent loans. The impairment was measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is derived from
appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets in similar locations, in accordance with the provisions of ASC
Section 310-10-35. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.

[2] Represents the fair value of foreclosed real estate and other collateral owned that were written down to their fair value. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported

fair value amount.

[3] Write-downs include $2.7 million related to estimated damages caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria based on the sample of properties examined.

(In thousands)

Level 1 Level 2

Level 3

Total

NONRECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Year ended December 31, 2016

Assets

Loans [1]
Other real estate owned [2]
Other foreclosed assets [2]

Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

Write-downs

$–
–
–

$–

$–
–
–

$–

$ 79,175
44,735
25

$ 79,175
44,735
25

$

(26,272)
(10,260)
(12)

$123,935

$123,935

$

(36,544)

[1] Relates mostly to certain impaired collateral dependent loans. The impairment was measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is derived from
appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets in similar locations, in accordance with the provisions of ASC
Section 310-10-35. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.

[2] Represents the fair value of foreclosed real estate and other collateral owned that were written down to their fair value. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported

fair value amount.

(In thousands)

Level 1 Level 2

Level 3

Total

NONRECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Year ended December 31, 2015

Assets

Loans [1]
Loans held-for-sale [2]
Other real estate owned [3]
Other foreclosed assets [3]

Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

Write-downs

$–
–
–
–

$–

$ –
–
574
–

$574

$

$ 67,915
44,923
66,694
75

$ 67,915
44,923
67,268
75

(63,002)
(66)
(46,164)
(847)

$179,607

$180,181

$

(110,079)

[1] Relates mostly to certain impaired collateral dependent loans. The impairment was measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is derived from
appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets in similar locations, in accordance with the provisions of ASC
Section 310-10-35. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.

[2] Relates to lower of cost or fair value adjustments on loans held-for-sale and loans transferred from loans held-in-portfolio to loans held-for-sale. Costs to sell are

excluded from the reported fair value amount.

[3] Represents the fair value of foreclosed real estate and other collateral owned that were written down to their fair value. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported

fair value amount.

176 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following tables present the changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years

ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2017
Gains (losses) included in earnings
Gains (losses) included in OCI
Additions
Sales
Settlements
Transfers out of Level 3
Balance at December 31, 2017
Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
included in earnings relating to
assets still held at December 31,
2017

(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2016
Gains (losses) included in earnings
Gains (losses) included in OCI
Additions
Sales
Settlements
Balance at December 31, 2016
Changes in unrealized gains (losses)

included in earnings relating to assets
still held at December 31, 2016

(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2015
Gains (losses) included in earnings
Gains (losses) included in OCI
Additions
Sales
Settlements
Adjustments
Balance at December 31, 2015
Changes in unrealized gains (losses)
included in earnings relating to
assets still held at December 31,
2015

Year ended December 31, 2017

MBS
classified
as investment
securities
available-
for-sale
$1,392
–
9
–
–
(25)
(88)
$1,288

CMOs
classified
as trading
account
securities
$1,321
–
–
44
(365)
(195)
(276)
$ 529

Other
securities
classified
as trading
account
securities
$602
(73)
–
–
–
–
–
$529

MBS
classified as
trading account
securities
$ 4,755
(124)
–
332
(156)
(876)
(3,888)
43

$

Mortgage
servicing
rights

Total
assets

(36,519)
–
7,661
–
–
–

$ 196,889 $ 204,959
(36,716)
9
8,037
(521)
(1,096)
(4,252)
$ 168,031 $ 170,420

Contingent
consideration
$(153,158)
(11,700)
–
–
–
–
–
$(164,858)

Total
liabilities
$(153,158)
(11,700)
–
–
–
–
–
$(164,858)

$

–

$

–

$

(3)

$ 42

$(18,986) $(18,947)

$ (11,700)

$ (11,700)

Year ended December 31, 2016

MBS
classified
as investment
securities
available-
for-sale
$1,434
(3)
11
–
–
(50)
$1,392

CMOs
classified
as trading
account
securities
$1,831
(4)
–
233
(309)
(430)
$1,321

Other
securities
classified
as trading
account
securities
$687
(85)
–
–
–
–
$602

MBS
classified as
trading account
securities
$ 6,454
(86)
–
1,128
(1,852)
(889)
$ 4,755

Mortgage
servicing
rights

Total
assets

(25,336)
–
10,835
–
(15)

$211,405 $221,811
(25,514)
11
12,196
(2,161)
(1,384)
$196,889 $204,959

Contingent
consideration
$(120,380)
(32,778)
–
–
–
–
$(153,158)

Total
liabilities
$(120,380)
(32,778)
–
–
–
–
$(153,158)

$

–

$

2

$

(84)

$ 39

$ (4,745) $ (4,788)

$ (32,778)

$ (32,778)

Year ended December 31, 2015

MBS
classified
as investment
securities
available-
for-sale
$1,325
(2)
(7)
118
–
–
–
$1,434

CMOs
classified
as trading
account
securities
$1,375
(2)
–
808
(43)
(307)
–
$1,831

Other
securities
classified
as trading
account
securities
$1,563
94
–
–
–
(970)
–
$ 687

MBS
classified as
trading account
securities
$6,229
(42)
–
1,126
(187)
(672)
–
$6,454

Mortgage
servicing
rights

Total
assets

(13,349)
–
76,060
–
–
–

$148,694 $159,186
(13,301)
(7)
78,112
(230)
(1,949)
–
$211,405 $221,811

Contingent
consideration
$(133,634)
12,292
–
–
–
–
962
$(120,380)

Total
liabilities
$(133,634)
12,292
–
–
–
–
962
$(120,380)

$

–

$

2

$ (21)

$

38

$ 6,087 $ 6,106

$

12,292

$

12,292

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 177

During the year ended December 31, 2017, certain MBS and
CMO’s amounting to $4.3 million, were transferred from
Level 3 to Level 2 due to a change in valuation technique from
an internally-prepared pricing matrix and discounted cash flow

models, respectively, to a bond’s theoretical value. There were
no transfers in and/or out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 for
financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring
basis during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 for Level 3
assets and liabilities included in the previous tables are reported in the consolidated statement of operations as follows:

2017

2016

2015

Total
gains (losses)
included in
earnings

Changes in unrealized
gains (losses)
relating to assets still
held at reporting date

Total
gains (losses)
included
in earnings

Changes in unrealized
gains (losses)
relating to assets still
held at reporting date

Total
gains (losses)
included
in earnings

Changes in unrealized
gains (losses)
relating to assets still
held at reporting date

$

–

$

–

$

(3)

$

–

$

(2)

$

–

(11,700)
(36,519)

(197)
–

(11,700)
(18,986)

39
–

(33,413)
(25,336)

(175)
635

(33,413)
(4,745)

(43)
635

9,559
(13,349)

50
2,733

9,559
6,087

19
2,733

(In thousands)

Interest income
FDIC loss share (expense)

income

Mortgage banking activities
Trading account (loss)

profit

Other operating income

Total

$(48,416)

$(30,647)

$(58,292)

$(37,566)

$ (1,009)

$18,398

The following table includes quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used to derive the fair value of Level 3
instruments, excluding those instruments for which the unobservable inputs were not developed by the Corporation such as prices
of prior transactions and/or unadjusted third-party pricing sources.

Fair value
at December 31,
2017

Valuation technique

Unobservable inputs

Weighted average (range)

(In thousands)

CMO’s - trading

Other - trading

$

$

529

Discounted cash flow model

529

Discounted cash flow model

Mortgage servicing rights

$ 168,031

Discounted cash flow model

Contingent consideration

$(164,858)

Discounted cash flow model

Loans held-in-portfolio

$ 63,765 [1]

External appraisal

Other real estate owned

$ 77,839 [2]

External appraisal

Weighted average life
Yield
Prepayment speed

Weighted average life
Yield
Prepayment speed

Prepayment speed
Weighted average life
Discount rate

Credit loss rate on
covered loans
Risk premium component
of discount rate

Haircut applied on
external appraisals

Haircut applied on
external appraisals

2.2 years (1.6 - 2.3 years)
3.9% (3.7% - 4.2%)
19.3% (17.8% - 21.5%)

5.3 years
12.6%
10.8%

5.4% (0.2% - 23.1%)
6.8 years (0.1 - 16.0 years)
11.2% (9.5% - 15.0%)

3.6% (0.0% - 100.0%)

3.5%

24.7% (19.0% - 35.0%)

22.2% (20.0% - 30.0%)

[1]
Loans held-in-portfolio in which haircuts were not applied to external appraisals were excluded from this table.
[2] Other real estate owned in which haircuts were not applied to external appraisals were excluded from this table.

178 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

the constant prepayment

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value
the Corporation’s collateralized mortgage
measurement of
obligations and interest-only collateralized mortgage obligation
(reported as “other”), which are classified in the “trading”
category, are yield, constant prepayment rate, and weighted
average life. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those
inputs in isolation would result in significantly lower (higher)
fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption
used for
rate will generate a
directionally opposite change in the weighted average life. For
example, as the average life is reduced by a higher constant
prepayment rate, a lower yield will be realized, and when there
is a reduction in the constant prepayment rate, the average life
of these collateralized mortgage obligations will extend, thus
financial
resulting in a higher yield. These particular
instruments
are valued internally by the Corporation’s
investment banking and broker-dealer unit utilizing internal
valuation techniques. The unobservable inputs incorporated
into the internal discounted cash flow models used to derive
the fair value of collateralized mortgage obligations and
interest-only collateralized mortgage obligation (reported as
“other”), which are classified in the “trading” category, are
reviewed by the Corporation’s Corporate Treasury unit on a
quarterly basis. In the case of Level 3 financial instruments
which fair value is based on broker quotes, the Corporation’s
Corporate Treasury unit reviews the inputs used by the broker-
dealers for reasonableness utilizing information available from
other published sources and validates that
the fair value
measurements were developed in accordance with ASC Topic
820. The Corporate Treasury unit also substantiates the inputs
used by validating the prices with other broker-dealers,
whenever possible.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value
measurement of the Corporation’s mortgage servicing rights are
constant prepayment rates and discount rates. Increases in
interest rates may result in lower prepayments. Discount rates
vary according to products and / or portfolios depending on the
perceived risk. Increases in discount rates result in a lower fair
value measurement. The Corporation’s Corporate Comptroller’s
unit is responsible for determining the fair value of MSRs,
which is based on discounted cash flow methods based on
assumptions developed by an external service provider, except
for prepayment speeds, which are adjusted internally for the
local market based on historical experience. The Corporation’s
Corporate Treasury unit validates the economic assumptions
developed by the external service provider on a quarterly basis.
In addition, an analytical review of prepayment speeds is
performed quarterly by the Corporate Comptroller’s unit. The
Corporation’s MSR Committee analyzes changes in fair value
measurements of MSRs and approves the valuation assumptions
at each reporting period. Changes in valuation assumptions
must also be approved by the MSR Committee. The fair value of
MSRs are compared with those of the external service provider

on a quarterly basis in order to validate if the fair values are
within the materiality thresholds established by management to
monitor and investigate material deviations. Back-testing is
performed to compare projected cash flows with actual
historical data to ascertain the reasonability of the projected net
cash flow results.

Following is a description of the Corporation’s valuation
methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair
value. The disclosure requirements exclude certain financial
instruments and all non-financial instruments. Accordingly, the
instruments
aggregate fair value amounts of
disclosed do not represent management’s estimate of
the
underlying value of the Corporation.

the financial

Trading Account Securities and Investment Securities
Available-for-Sale

• U.S. Treasury securities: The fair value of U.S. Treasury
notes is based on yields that are interpolated from the
constant maturity treasury curve. These securities are
classified as Level 2. U.S. Treasury bills are classified as
Level 1 given the high volume of trades and pricing based
on those trades.

• Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities: The
Obligations of U.S. Government
sponsored entities
include U.S. agency securities, which fair value is based
on an active exchange market and on quoted market
prices for similar securities. The U.S. agency securities are
classified as Level 2.

• Obligations

and

States

of Puerto Rico,

political
subdivisions: Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and
political subdivisions include municipal bonds. The bonds
are segregated and the like characteristics divided into
specific sectors. Market inputs used in the evaluation
process include all or some of the following: trades, bid
price or spread, two sided markets, quotes, benchmark
curves including but not limited to Treasury benchmarks,
LIBOR and swap curves, market data feeds such as those
obtained from municipal market sources, discount and
capital rates, and trustee reports. The municipal bonds are
classified as Level 2.

• Mortgage-backed securities: Certain agency mortgage-
backed securities (“MBS”) are priced based on a bond’s
theoretical value derived from similar bonds defined by
credit quality and market
fair value
incorporates an option adjusted spread. The agency MBS
are classified as Level 2. Other agency MBS such as
GNMA Puerto Rico Serials are priced using an internally-
prepared pricing matrix with quoted prices from local
brokers dealers. These particular MBS are classified as
Level 3.

sector. Their

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 179

• Collateralized mortgage obligations: Agency collateralized
mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) are priced based on a
bond’s theoretical value derived from similar bonds
defined by credit quality and market sector and for which
fair value incorporates an option adjusted spread. The
option adjusted spread model includes prepayment and
volatility assumptions, ratings (whole loans collateral)
and spread adjustments. These CMOs are classified as
Level 2. Other CMOs, due to their limited liquidity, are
classified as Level 3 due to the insufficiency of inputs such
as broker quotes, executed trades, credit information and
cash flows.

• Equity securities: Equity securities that do not trade in

highly liquid markets are classified as Level 2.

• Corporate

securities

(included as

in the
“available-for-sale” category): Given that
the quoted
prices are for similar instruments, these securities are
classified as Level 2.

“other”

important variables

• Mutual funds, other equity securities, corporate securities,
U.S. Treasury bills, and interest-only strips (included as
“other” in the “trading account securities” category): For
corporate securities and mutual funds, quoted prices for
these security types are obtained from broker dealers.
Given that the quoted prices are for similar instruments or
do not trade in highly liquid markets, these securities are
in
classified as Level 2. The
determining the prices of Puerto Rico tax-exempt mutual
fund shares are net asset value, dividend yield and type of
assets in the fund. All funds trade based on a relevant
the
dividend
aforementioned variables. In addition, demand and supply
also affect the price. Other equity securities that do not
trade in highly liquid markets are classified as Level 2.
U.S. Treasury bills are classified as Level 1 given the high
volume of trades and pricing based on those trades. Given
that the fair value was estimated based on a discounted
cash flow model using unobservable inputs, interest-only
strips are classified as Level 3.

consideration

taking

yield

into

incorporates

assumptions

Mortgage servicing rights
Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) do not trade in an active
market with readily observable prices. MSRs are priced
internally using a discounted cash flow model. The discounted
cash flow model
that market
participants would use in estimating future net servicing
income,
characteristics, prepayments
assumptions, discount rates, delinquency and foreclosure rates,
late charges, other ancillary revenues, cost to service and other
economic factors. Prepayment speeds are adjusted for the
Corporation’s loan characteristics and portfolio behavior. Due
to the unobservable nature of certain valuation inputs, the
MSRs are classified as Level 3.

including portfolio

180 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Derivatives
Interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and indexed options are
traded in over-the-counter active markets. These derivatives are
indexed to an observable interest rate benchmark, such as
LIBOR or equity indexes, and are priced using an income
approach based on present value and option pricing models
using observable inputs. Other derivatives are liquid and have
quoted prices, such as forward contracts or “to be announced
securities” (“TBAs”). All of these derivatives are classified as
Level 2. The non-performance risk is determined using
internally-developed models that consider the collateral held,
the remaining term, and the creditworthiness of the entity that
bears the risk, and uses available public data or internally-
developed data related to current spreads that denote their
probability of default.

Contingent consideration liability
The fair value of the true-up payment obligation (contingent
consideration) to the FDIC as it relates to the Westernbank
FDIC-assisted transaction was estimated using projected cash
flows related to the loss sharing agreements at the true-up
measurement date. It took into consideration the intrinsic loss
estimate, asset premium/discount, cumulative shared loss
payments, and the cumulative servicing amount related to the
loan portfolio. Refer to Note 11 to the consolidated financial
statements for a description of the formula established in the
loss share agreements for determining the true-up payment.

On a quarterly basis, management evaluates and revises the
estimated credit loss rates that are used to determine expected
cash flows on the covered loan pools. The expected credit
losses on the loan pools are used to determine the loss share
cash flows expected to be paid to the FDIC when the true-up
payment is due.

The true-up payment obligation was discounted using a
term rate consistent with the time remaining until the payment
is due. The discount rate was an estimate of the sum of the risk-
free benchmark rate for the term remaining before the true-up
payment is due and a risk premium to account for the credit
risk profile of BPPR. The risk premium was calculated based on
a volume weighted average spread of
the Corporation’s
outstanding senior unsecured debt over the equivalent T Note.
The true-up payment obligation is classified as Level 3.

Loans held-in-portfolio considered impaired under ASC
Section 310-10-35 that are collateral dependent
The impairment is measured based on the fair value of the
take into
collateral, which is derived from appraisals that
consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar
assets in similar locations, in accordance with the provisions of
ASC Section 310-10-35, and which could be subject to internal
adjustments based on the age of the appraisal. Currently, the
associated loans considered impaired are classified as Level 3.

Loans measured at fair value pursuant to lower of cost or fair
value adjustments
Loans measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis pursuant
to lower of cost or fair value were priced based on secondary
market prices and discounted cash flow models which
incorporate internally-developed assumptions for prepayments
and credit loss estimates. These loans are classified as Level 3.

Other real estate owned and other foreclosed assets
Other real estate owned includes real estate properties securing
mortgage, consumer, and commercial loans. Other foreclosed
assets include primarily automobiles securing auto loans. The
fair value of foreclosed assets may be determined using an
external appraisal, broker price opinion, or an internal
valuation. These foreclosed assets are classified as Level 3 since
they are subject to internal adjustments.

Note 32 - Fair value of financial instruments
The fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which
an asset or obligation could be exchanged in a current

transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or
liquidation sale. For those financial instruments with no quoted
market prices available, fair values have been estimated using
present value calculations or other valuation techniques, as well
as management’s best
to current
economic conditions,
including discount rates, estimates of
future cash flows, and prepayment assumptions. Many of these
estimates
vary
significantly from amounts that could be realized in actual
transactions.

judgment with respect

assumptions

and may

various

involve

The fair values reflected herein have been determined based
on the prevailing rate environment at December 31, 2017 and
December 31, 2016, as applicable. In different interest rate
fair value estimates can differ significantly,
environments,
In
especially for certain fixed rate financial
addition, the fair values presented do not attempt to estimate
the value of the Corporation’s fee generating businesses and
anticipated future business activities,
they do not
represent the Corporation’s value as a going concern.

instruments.

that

is,

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 181

The following tables present the carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments with their corresponding
level in the fair value hierarchy. The aggregate fair value amounts of the financial instruments disclosed do not represent
management’s estimate of the underlying value of the Corporation.

(In thousands)
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks
Money market investments
Trading account securities, excluding derivatives [1]
Investment securities available-for-sale [1]
Investment securities held-to-maturity:

Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligation-federal agency
Other

Total investment securities held-to-maturity
Other investment securities:

FHLB stock
FRB stock
Trust preferred securities
Other investments

Total other investment securities

Loans held-for-sale
Loans not covered under loss sharing agreement with the FDIC
Loans covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC
FDIC loss share asset
Mortgage servicing rights
Derivatives

(In thousands)
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:

Demand deposits
Time deposits

Total deposits

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase
Other short-term borrowings [2]
Notes payable:

FHLB advances
Unsecured senior debt securities
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (related to

trust preferred securities)

Others

Total notes payable

Derivatives

Contingent consideration

December 31, 2017

Carrying
amount

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair value

$

402,857
5,255,119
43,007
10,178,738

$ 402,857
5,245,346
261
503,385

$

$

$

$

$

$

–
9,773
41,645
9,674,065

–
–
750

750

57,819
94,308
13,198
6

165,331

–
–
–
–
–
16,719

$

$

$

$

$

$

–
–
1,101
1,288

$

402,857
5,255,119
43,007
10,178,738

83,239
71
243

83,553

–
–
–
5,208

5,208

134,839
21,883,003
465,893
33,323
168,031
–

$

$

$

$

$

83,239
71
993

84,303

57,819
94,308
13,198
5,214

170,539

134,839
21,883,003
465,893
33,323
168,031
16,719

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

December 31, 2017

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair value

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

$27,938,630
7,381,232

$35,319,862

$
$

$

390,752
96,208

628,839
463,554

406,883
–

$ 1,499,276

$

$

14,431

–

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
18,642

$27,938,630
7,381,232

$35,319,862

$
$

$

390,752
96,208

628,839
463,554

406,883
18,642

18,642

$ 1,517,918

–

164,858

$

$

14,431

164,858

$

$

$

$

$

92,754
67
1,000

93,821

57,819
94,308
13,198
1,900

167,225

132,395
23,702,612
484,030
45,192
168,031
16,719

Carrying
amount

$27,938,630
7,514,878

$35,453,508

$
$

$

390,921
96,208

631,490
446,873

439,351
18,642

$ 1,536,356

$

$

14,431

164,858

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

[1] Refer to Note 31 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fair value by class of financial asset and its hierarchy level.
[2] Refer to Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the composition of other short-term borrowings.

182 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

(In thousands)
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks
Money market investments
Trading account securities, excluding derivatives [1]
Investment securities available-for-sale [1]
Investment securities held-to-maturity:

Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Collateralized mortgage obligation-federal agency
Other

Total investment securities held-to-maturity

Other investment securities:

FHLB stock
FRB stock
Trust preferred securities
Other investments

Total other investment securities

Loans held-for-sale
Loans not covered under loss sharing agreement with the FDIC
Loans covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC
FDIC loss share asset
Mortgage servicing rights
Derivatives

$

$

$

$

$

$

(In thousands)

Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:

Demand deposits
Time deposits

Total deposits

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase
Other short-term borrowings [2]
Notes payable:

FHLB advances
Unsecured senior debt
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (related to

trust preferred securities)

Others

Total notes payable

Derivatives

Contingent consideration

December 31, 2016

Carrying
amount

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair value

362,394
2,890,217
59,796
8,209,806

$ 362,394
2,854,777
–
–

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

–
35,440
53,118
8,208,414

–
–
1,738

1,738

58,033
94,672
13,198
–

165,903

504
–
–
–
–
14,094

–
–
6,678
1,392

73,540
78
220

73,838

–
–
–
4,987

4,987

89,509
20,578,904
515,808
63,187
196,889
–

$

$

$

$

$

$362,394
2,890,217
59,796
8,209,806

73,540
78
1,958

75,576

58,033
94,672
13,198
4,987

170,890

90,013
20,578,904
515,808
63,187
196,889
14,094

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

December 31, 2016

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair value

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

$22,786,682
7,708,724

$30,495,406

$
$

$

479,439
1,200

671,872
466,263

399,370
–

$ 1,537,505

$

$

12,842

–

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
18,071

$22,786,682
7,708,724

$30,495,406

$
$

$

479,439
1,200

671,872
466,263

399,370
18,071

18,071

$ 1,555,576

–

153,158

$

$

12,842

153,158

96,027
74
2,000

98,101

58,033
94,672
13,198
1,915

167,818

88,821
22,263,446
542,528
69,334
196,889
14,094

Carrying
amount

$22,786,682
7,709,542

$30,496,224

$
$

$

479,425
1,200

672,670
444,788

439,323
18,071

$ 1,574,852

$

$

12,842

153,158

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

$

$

[1] Refer to Note 31 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fair value by class of financial asset and its hierarchy level.
[2] Refer to Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the composition of other short-term borrowings.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 183

The notional amount of commitments to extend credit at
December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is $ 7.6 billion and
$ 7.8 billion, respectively, and represents the unused portion of
credit facilities granted to customers. The notional amount of
letters of credit at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
is $ 36 million and represents the contractual amount that is
required to be paid in the event of nonperformance. The fair
value of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit,
which are based on the fees charged to enter into those
agreements, are not material to Popular’s financial statements.

Following is a description of the Corporation’s valuation
methodologies and inputs used to estimate the fair values for
each class of financial assets and liabilities not measured at fair
value, but for which the fair value is disclosed.

Cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks include cash on hand, cash items in
process of collection, and non-interest bearing deposits due
from other financial institutions. The carrying amount of cash
and due from banks is a reasonable estimate of its fair value.
Cash and due from banks are classified as Level 1.

Money market investments
Investments in money market instruments include highly liquid
instruments with an average maturity of three months or less.
For this reason, they carry a low risk of changes in value as a
result of changes in interest rates, and the carrying amount
approximates their
investments
include
securities purchased under
agreements to resell, time deposits with other banks, and cash
balances, including those held at the Federal Reserve. These
money market investments are classified as Level 2, except for
cash balances which generate interest, including those held at
the Federal Reserve, which are classified as Level 1.

fair value. Money market

federal

funds

sold,

Investment securities held-to-maturity

• Obligations

and

States

of Puerto Rico,

political
subdivisions: Municipal bonds include Puerto Rico public
municipalities debt and bonds collateralized by second
mortgages under the Home Purchase Stimulus Program.
Puerto Rico public municipalities debt was valued
internally based on yield curve of US Virgin Islands
Revenue Bonds. US Virgin Islands Revenue Bonds are
rated speculative grade, currently in their payments and
fall
public
municipalities debt. Puerto Rico public municipalities
debt is classified as Level 3. Given that the fair value of
municipal bonds collateralized by second mortgages was
internal
based
speed
assumptions,
these municipal bonds are classified as
Level 3.

PROMESA like

prepayment

Puerto

under

yield

Rico

and

on

184 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

• Agency collateralized mortgage obligation: The fair value
of the agency collateralized mortgage obligation (“CMO”),
which is guaranteed by GNMA, was based on internal
yield and prepayment speed assumptions. This agency
CMO is classified as Level 3.

• Other: Other securities include foreign debt and a private
non-profit institution security. Given that the fair value
was based on quoted prices for similar instruments,
foreign debt is classified as Level 2. Since the fair value of
the private non-profit institution security was internally
derived using a price/yield methodology, in which the
spread was defined based on the obligor risk rating and
the corresponding transfer price, this security is classified
as Level 3.

Other investment securities

• Federal Home Loan Bank capital stock: Federal Home
Loan Bank (FHLB) capital stock represents an equity
interest in the FHLB of New York. It does not have a
readily determinable fair value because its ownership is
restricted and it lacks a market. Since the excess stock is
repurchased by the FHLB at its par value, the carrying
amount of FHLB capital stock approximates fair value.
Thus, these stocks are classified as Level 2.

• Federal Reserve Bank capital stock: Federal Reserve Bank
(FRB) capital stock represents an equity interest in the
FRB of New York. It does not have a readily determinable
fair value because its ownership is restricted and it lacks a
market. Since the canceled stock is repurchased by the
FRB for the amount of the cash subscription paid, the
carrying amount of FRB capital stock approximates fair
value. Thus, these stocks are classified as Level 2.

• Trust preferred securities: These securities represent the
equity-method investment in the common stock of these
trusts. Book value is the same as fair value for these
securities since the fair value of the junior subordinated
debentures is the same amount as the fair value of the
trust preferred securities issued to the public. The equity-
method investment in the common stock of these trusts is
classified as Level 2.

values,

• Other investments: Other investments include private
equity method investments and Visa Class B common
stock held by the Corporation. Since there are no
observable market
equity method
investments are classified as Level 3. The Visa Class B
common stock was priced by applying the quoted price of
Visa Class A common stock, net of a liquidity adjustment,
to the as converted number of Class A common shares
since these Class B common shares are restricted and not
convertible to Class A common shares until pending

private

litigation is resolved. Thus, these stocks are classified as
Level 3. Common stock traded only in a foreign market
with a readily determinable fair value are classified as
Level 2.

Loans held-for-sale
For loans held-for-sale originated with the intent to sell in the
secondary market, its fair value was determined using similar
characteristics of loans and secondary market prices assuming
the conversion to mortgage-backed securities. Given that the
valuation methodology uses internal assumptions based on loan
level data, these loans are classified as Level 3. The fair value of
certain other loans held-for-sale is based on bids received from
potential buyers; binding offers; or external appraisals, net of
to sell. Loans
internal adjustments and estimated costs
held-for-sale based on binding offers are classified as Level 2.
Loans held-for-sale based on indicative offers and/or external
appraisals are classified as Level 3.

type

such as

segregated by

Loans held-in-portfolio
The fair values of
the loans held-in-portfolio have been
determined for groups of loans with similar characteristics.
commercial,
Loans were
construction, residential mortgage, consumer, and credit cards.
Each loan category was further segmented based on loan
characteristics, including interest rate terms, credit quality and
vintage. Generally, fair values were estimated based on an exit
price by discounting expected cash flows for the segmented
groups of loans using a discount rate that considers interest,
credit and expected return by market participant under current
market conditions. Additionally, prepayment, default and
recovery assumptions have been applied in the mortgage loan
portfolio valuations. Loans held-in-portfolio are classified as
Level 3.

FDIC loss share asset
Fair value of the FDIC loss share asset was estimated using
projected net losses related to the loss sharing agreements,
which are expected to be reimbursed by the FDIC. The
the U.S.
projected net
Government agency curve. The loss share asset is classified as
Level 3.

losses were discounted using

Deposits

• Demand deposits: The fair value of demand deposits,
which have no stated maturity, was calculated based on
the amount payable on demand as of the respective dates.
These demand deposits include non-interest bearing
demand deposits, savings, NOW, and money market
accounts. Thus, these deposits are classified as Level 2.

• Time deposits: The fair value of

time deposits was
calculated based on the discounted value of contractual

cash flows using interest rates being offered on time
deposits with similar maturities. The non-performance
risk was determined using internally-developed models
that consider, where applicable,
the collateral held,
amounts insured, the remaining term, and the credit
premium of the institution. For certain 5-year certificates
of deposit in which customers may withdraw their money
anytime with no penalties or charges, the fair value of
these
an early
cancellation estimate based on historical experience. Time
deposits are classified as Level 2.

certificates of deposit

incorporate

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase

• Securities sold under agreements to repurchase: Securities
sold under agreements to repurchase with short-term
maturities approximate fair value because of the short-
term nature of those instruments. Resell and repurchase
agreements with long-term maturities were valued using
discounted cash flows based on the three-month LIBOR.
In determining the non-performance credit risk valuation
adjustment, the collateralization levels of these long-term
securities sold under agreements to repurchase were
to
sold
considered.
repurchase are classified as Level 2.

agreements

Securities

under

Other short-term borrowings

amount

carrying

The
short-term borrowings
of other
approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of
those instruments or because they carry interest rates which
approximate market. Thus, these other short-term borrowings
are classified as Level 2.

Notes payable

• FHLB advances: The fair value of FHLB advances was
based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows
over
the
non-performance credit risk valuation adjustment, the
collateralization levels of these advances were considered.
These advances are classified as Level 2.

In determining

contractual

term.

their

• Unsecured senior debt securities: The fair value of
publicly-traded unsecured senior debt securities was
determined using recent trades of similar transactions.
Publicly-traded unsecured senior debt
securities are
classified as Level 2.

• Junior

interest

subordinated

debentures
deferrable
(related to trust preferred securities): The fair value of
junior subordinated interest debentures was determined
using recent trades of similar transactions. Thus, these
junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures are
classified as Level 2.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 185

providing benefits to participants. A well defined internal
structure has been established to develop and implement a risk-
controlled investment strategy that is targeted to produce a
total return that, when combined with the bank’s contributions
to the fund, will maintain the fund’s ability to meet all required
benefit obligations. Risk is controlled through diversification of
asset types, such as investments in domestic and international
equities and fixed income.

Equity investments include various types of stock and index
funds. Also, this category includes Popular, Inc.’s common
stock. Fixed income investments include U.S. Government
securities and other U.S. agencies’ obligations, corporate bonds,
mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities and index funds,
among others. A designated committee periodically reviews the
investments and assets
performance of
allocation. The Trustee and the money managers are allowed to
exercise
limitations
established by the pension plans’ investment policies. The plans
forbid money managers to enter into derivative transactions,
unless approved by the Trustee.

the pension plans’

investment

discretion,

subject

to

The overall expected long-term rate-of-return-on-assets
assumption reflects the average rate of earnings expected on the
funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits
included in the benefit obligation. The assumption has been
determined by reflecting expectations regarding future rates of
return for the plan assets, with consideration given to the
distribution of the investments by asset class and historical
rates of return for each individual asset class. This process is
reevaluated at least on an annual basis and if market, actuarial
and economic conditions change, adjustments to the rate of
return may come into place.

The plans’ target allocation based on market value for years
2017 and 2016, by asset category, is summarized in the table
below.

Minimum
allotment

Maximum
allotment

0%
0%
0%
0%

70%
100%
5%
100%

• Others: The other

category includes

lease
obligations. Generally accepted accounting principles do
not require a fair valuation of capital lease obligations,
therefore; it is included at its carrying amount. Capital
lease obligations are classified as Level 3.

capital

Note 33 - Employee benefits

Pension and benefit restoration plans

Certain employees of BPPR are covered by non-contributory
defined benefit pension plans. Pension benefits are based on
age, years of credited service, and final average compensation.

BPPR’s non-contributory, defined benefit retirement plan is
currently closed to new hires and the accrual of benefits are
frozen to all participants. The retirement plan’s benefit formula
is based on a percentage of average final compensation and
years of service as of the plan freeze date. Normal retirement
age under the retirement plans is age 65 with 5 years of service.
Pension costs are funded in accordance with minimum funding
standards under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 (“ERISA”). Benefits under the BPPR retirement plan are
subject to the U.S. and Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code
limits on compensation and benefits. Benefits under restoration
plans restore benefits to selected employees that are limited
under the retirement plan due to U.S. and Puerto Rico Internal
Revenue Code limits and a compensation definition that
excludes
nonqualified
arrangements. The freeze applied to the restoration plan as
well.

pursuant

amounts

deferred

to

funding policy is

The Corporation’s

to make annual
contributions to the plans, when necessary, in amounts which
fully provide for all benefits as they become due under the
plans.

The Corporation’s pension fund investment strategy is to
in a prudent manner for the exclusive purpose of

invest

Equity
Debt securities
Popular related securities
Cash and cash equivalents

186 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the pension and benefit restoration plans’ assets at fair
value at December 31, 2017 and 2016. Investments measured at net asset value per share (“NAV”) as a practical expedient have not
been classified in the fair value hierarchy, but are presented in order to permit reconciliation of the plans’ assets.

(In thousands)

Level 1

Level 2 Level 3

Measured
at NAV

Total

Level 1

Level 2 Level 3

Measured
at NAV

Total

2017

2016

Obligations of the U.S. Government

and its agencies

Corporate bonds and debentures
Equity securities - Common Stocks
Equity securities - ETF’s
Foreing commingled trust funds
Mutual fund
Mortgage-backed securities
Private equity investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Accrued investment income

$

– $130,721 $
283,947
–
–
123,052
49,779
54,110
–
–
4,510
–
4,539
–
–
–
–
22,686
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
182
–
4,576

$ 7,566 $138,287 $

7,858
–
–
74,013
–
–
–
–
–

291,805
123,052
103,889
74,013
4,510
4,539
182
22,686
4,576

– $108,572 $
171,632
–
–
134,015
75,801
62,524
–
–
13,910
–
4,786
–
–
–
–
38,158
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
336
–
3,219

$ 6,731 $115,303
178,488
134,015
138,325
70,589
13,910
4,786
336
38,158
3,219

6,856
–
–
70,589
–
–
–
–
–

Total assets

$199,848 $473,496 $4,758

$89,437 $767,539 $234,697 $374,701 $3,555

$84,176 $697,129

The closing prices reported in the active markets in which

the securities are traded are used to value the investments.

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies

• Mutual funds - Mutual funds are valued at the NAV of
shares held by the plan at year end. Mutual funds are
classified as Level 2.

used for investments measured at fair value:

• Obligations of U.S. Government and its agencies - The fair
value of Obligations of U.S. Government and agencies
obligations is based on an active exchange market and is
based on quoted market prices for similar securities.
These securities are classified as Level 2. U.S. agency
structured notes are priced based on a bond’s theoretical
value from similar bonds defined by credit quality and
market sector and for which the fair value incorporates an
option adjusted spread in deriving their fair value. These
securities are classified as Level 2, except
the
for
governmental index funds that are measured at NAV.

• Corporate bonds and debentures - Corporate bonds and
debentures are valued at fair value at the closing price
reported in the active market in which the bond is traded.
These securities are classified as Level 2, except for the
corporate bond funds that are measured at NAV.

• Equity securities - common stocks - Equity securities with
quoted market prices obtained from an active exchange
market and high liquidity are classified as Level 1.

• Equity securities - ETF’s - Exchange Traded Funds shares
with quoted market prices obtained from an active
exchange market. Highly liquid ETF’s are classified as
Level 1 while less liquid ETF’s are classified as Level 2.

• Foreign commingled trust fund - Collective investment
funds are valued at the NAV of shares held by the plan at
year end.

regularly

instruments

• Mortgage-backed securities - The fair value is based on
trade data from brokers and exchange platforms where
these
trade. Certain agency
mortgage and other asset backed securities (“MBS”) are
priced based on a bond’s theoretical value from similar
bonds defined by credit quality and market sector. Their
fair value incorporates an option adjusted spread and
prepayment projections. The agency MBS are classified as
Level 2.

• Private equity investments - Private equity investments
include an investment in a private equity fund. The fund
value is recorded at its net realizable value which is
affected by the changes in the fair market value of the
investments held in the fund. This fund is classified as
Level 3.

• Cash and cash equivalents - The carrying amount of cash
and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of the fair
value since it is available on demand or due to their short-
term maturity. Cash and cash equivalents are classified as
Level 1.

• Accrued investment income - Given the short-term nature
of these assets, their carrying amount approximates fair
value. Since there is a lack of observable inputs related to
these are reported as
instrument
Level 3.

specific attributes,

The preceding valuation methods may produce a fair value
calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 187

reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the plan
believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent
with other market participants,
of different
methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of
certain financial instruments could result in a different fair
value measurement at the reporting date.

the use

The following table presents the change in Level 3 assets

There were no transfers in and/or out of Level 3 for financial
instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis during
the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. There were no
transfers in and/or out of Level 1 and Level 2 during the years
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Information on the shares of common stock held by the
pension and restoration plans is provided in the table that
follows.

measured at fair value.

(In thousands)

Balance at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets:

Change in unrealized (loss) gain relating to

instruments still held at the reporting date

Purchases, sales, issuance, settlements, paydowns

and maturities (net)

Balance at end of year

1,203

1,462

$4,758

$3,555

2017

2016

$3,555

$2,093

(In thousands, except number of shares
information)

Shares of Popular, Inc. common stock
Fair value of shares of Popular, Inc. common

–

–

stock

2017

2016

149,127

145,637

$ 5,293

$ 6,382

Dividends paid on shares of Popular, Inc.

common stock held by the plan

$

132

$

22

The following table sets forth the aggregate status of the plans and the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial

statements at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Interest cost
Actuarial (gain) loss
Benefits paid

Benefit obligation at end of year

Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Net loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL)

Reconciliation of net (liabilities) assets:
Net (liabilities) assets at beginning of year
Amount recognized in AOCL at beginning of year, pre-tax

Amount prepaid at beginning of year
Net periodic benefit income (cost)
Contributions

Amount prepaid at end of year
Amount recognized in AOCL

Net (liabilities) assets at end of year

188 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Pension plan

Benefit restoration
plans

2017

2016

2017

2016

$ 736,082
24,479
49,731
(37,612)

$ 736,140
25,166
12,219
(37,443)

$ 42,576
1,410
2,394
(2,072)

$ 40,773
1,392
2,533
(2,122)

$ 772,680

$ 736,082

$ 44,308

$ 42,576

$ 665,235
89,008
16,000
(37,612)

$ 612,283
30,395
60,000
(37,443)

$ 31,894
4,849
237
(2,072)

$ 32,131
1,480
405
(2,122)

$ 732,631

$ 665,235

$ 34,908

$ 31,894

$ 276,839

$ 295,589

$ 13,488

$ 15,577

$ 276,839

$ 295,589

$ 13,488

$ 15,577

$ (70,847) $(123,857) $(10,682) $ (8,642)
13,699

294,792

295,589

15,577

224,742
(3,952)
16,000

170,935
(6,193)
60,000

4,895
(1,044)
237

5,057
(567)
405

236,790
(276,839)

224,742
(295,589)

4,088
(13,488)

4,895
(15,577)

$ (40,049) $ (70,847) $ (9,400) $(10,682)

The table below presents a breakdown of the plans’ assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Pension plan
2017

2016

$

–
40,049

$

–
70,847

Benefit restoration plans

2017

$ 232
9,168

2016

$

234
10,448

The following table presents the funded status of the plans at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Benefit obligation at end of year
Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded status at year end

Pension Plan

Benefit Restoration Plan

2017

2016

2017

2016

$(772,680) $(736,082)
665,235

732,631

$(44,308)
34,908

$(42,576)
31,894

$ (40,049) $ (70,847)

$ (9,400)

$(10,682)

The following table presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”), pre-tax, for the years ended

December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of year

Increase (decrease) in AOCL:
Recognized during the year:

Amortization of actuarial losses

Occurring during the year:

Net actuarial (gains) losses

Total (decrease) increase in AOCL

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of year

Pension plan

Benefit restoration plans

2017

2016

2017

2016

$295,589

$294,792

$15,577

$13,699

(20,215)

(19,521)

(1,644)

(1,328)

1,465

20,318

(18,750)

797

(445)

(2,089)

3,206

1,878

$276,839

$295,589

$13,488

$15,577

The following table presents the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as

components of net periodic benefit cost during 2018.

(In thousands)

Net actuarial loss

Pension plan Benefit restoration plans

$18,863

$1,398

The following table presents information for plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets for the years

ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

Pension plan

Benefit restoration plans

2017

2016

$772,680
772,680
732,631

$736,082
736,082
665,235

2017

$44,308
44,308
34,908

2016

$42,576
42,576
31,894

Effective December 31, 2015 the Corporation changed its
estimate of the service and interest cost components of net
periodic benefit cost for its pension and postretirement benefits
plans. Previously, the Corporation estimated the service and
interest cost components utilizing a single weighted-average
discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the
benefit obligation. The new estimate utilizes a full yield curve
approach in the estimation of these components by applying
the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the
determination of the benefit obligation to their underlying

projected cash flows. The new estimate provides a more precise
measurement of service and interest costs by improving the
correlation between projected benefit cash flows and their
corresponding spot rates. The change does not affect
the
measurement of the Corporation’s pension and postretirement
benefit obligations and it is accounted for as a change in
accounting estimate, which is applied prospectively.

To determine benefit obligation at year end, the Corporation
used a weighted average of annual spot rates applied to future
expected cash flows for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 189

The following table presents weighted - average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations at

December 31, 2017 and 2016:

Pension plan Tax qualified restoration plans Benefit restoration plans
2017

2017

2016

2016

2016

2017

Discount rate

3.56% 4.02%

3.54%

3.98%

3.55%

3.99%

The following table presents the actuarial assumptions used to determine the components of net periodic benefit cost for the

years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Pension plan
2016

2017

2015

Benefit restoration plans

2017

2016

2015

Discount rate for benefit obligation
Discount rate for interest cost
Expected return on plan assets

4.02% 4.27% 3.90% 3.98% / 3.99% 4.23% / 4.20% 3.90%
3.42% 3.52% 3.90% 3.40% / 3.35% 3.51% / 3.39% 3.90%
6.88% 7.00%
6.50% 6.88% 7.00%

6.50%

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)

Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Recognized net actuarial loss

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost

Pension plan
2016

2017

2015

Benefit restoration plans
2015
2016
2017

$ 24,479
(40,742)
20,215

$ 25,166
(38,493)
19,521

$ 29,613
(44,225)
17,860

$ 1,410
(2,010)
1,644

$ 1,392
(2,153)
1,328

$ 1,630
(2,359)
1,244

$ 3,952

$ 6,194

$ 3,248

$ 1,044

$

567

$

515

The Corporation expects to pay the following contributions

to the benefit plans during the year ended December 31, 2018.

(In thousands)

Pension plan
Benefit restoration plans

2018

$ –
$235

Postretirement health care benefits
In addition to providing pension benefits, BPPR provides
certain health care benefits for certain retired employees.
Regular employees of BPPR, hired before February 1, 2000, may
become eligible for health care benefits, provided they reach
retirement age while working for BPPR.

Benefit payments projected to be made from the pension and
benefit restoration plans during the next ten years are presented
in the table below.

(In thousands)

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 - 2027

Pension plan

Benefit
restoration plans

$ 39,537
40,130
40,691
41,198
41,614
211,287

$ 2,198
2,283
2,354
2,417
2,453
12,967

190 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table presents the status of the Corporation’s
unfunded postretirement health care benefit plan and the
related amounts
recognized in the consolidated financial
statements at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The following table presents the changes in accumulated
the

(income),

pre-tax,

loss

for

comprehensive

other
postretirement health care benefit plan.

(In thousands)

2017

2016

(In thousands)

2017

2016

Accumulated other comprehensive (income)

Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of the year
Service cost
Interest cost
Benefits paid
Actuarial (gain) loss

loss at beginning of year

$13,865

$15,466

$ 162,365
1,026
5,703
(5,357)
6,983

$ 165,999
1,156
6,021
(6,509)
(4,302)

$

Increase (decrease) in accumulated other

comprehensive loss :
Recognized during the year:

Prior service credit
Amortization of actuarial losses

3,800
(569)

3,800
(1,099)

Benefit obligation end of year

$ 170,720

162,365

Occurring during the year:

Amounts recognized in accumulated

other comprehensive loss:

Net prior service cost
Net loss

$

(3,470) $
27,549

(7,270)
21,135

Net actuarial (gains) losses

6,983

(4,302)

Total increase (decrease) in accumulated other

comprehensive loss

10,214

(1,601)

Accumulated other comprehensive (income)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

$ 24,079

$ 13,865

loss at end of year

$24,079

$13,865

Reconciliation of net liability:
Net liability at beginning of year
Amount recognized in accumulated other

comprehensive loss at beginning of year,
pre-tax

Amount accrued at beginning of year
Net periodic benefit cost
Contributions

Amount accrued at end of year
Amount recognized in accumulated other

$(162,365) $(165,999)

13,865

15,466

(148,500)
(3,498)
5,357

(150,533)
(4,476)
6,509

comprehensive loss

Net liability at end of year

(24,079)

(13,865)

$(170,720) $(162,365)

The following table presents the amounts in accumulated
other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as
components of net periodic benefit cost for the postretirement
health care benefit plan during the year ended December 31,
2018.

(146,641)

(148,500)

Net prior service credit

(In thousands)

Net actuarial loss

2018

$(3,470)

$ 1,283

The table below presents a breakdown of

the liability

(In thousands)

associated with the postretirement health care benefit plan.

(In thousands)

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

2017

2016

$ 6,202
164,518

$ 6,328
156,037

The following table presents the funded status of

postretirement health care
December 31, 2017 and 2016.

benefit

plan at

year

the
end

(In thousands)

Benefit obligation at end of year
Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded status at year end

2017

2016

$(170,720) $(162,365)
–

–

$(170,720) $(162,365)

The following table presents the components of net periodic

postretirement health care benefit cost.

Service cost
Interest cost
Amortization of prior service credit
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)

2017

2016

2015

$ 1,026
5,703
(3,800)
569

$ 1,156
6,021
(3,800)
1,099

$ 1,470
6,356
(3,800)
996

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 3,498

$ 4,476

$ 5,022

To determine benefit obligation at year end, the Corporation
used a weighted average of annual spot rates applied to future
expected cash flows for years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 191

The Corporation expects to contribute $6.3 million to the
postretirement benefit plan in 2018 to fund current benefit
payment requirements.
payments

the
postretirement health care benefit plan during the next ten
years are presented in the following table.

be made

projected

Benefit

on

to

(In thousands)

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 - 2027

$ 6,259
6,524
6,763
7,024
7,263
39,915

Savings plans
The Corporation also provides defined contribution savings
plans pursuant
the Puerto Rico
to Section 1081.01(d) of
Internal Revenue Code and Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code, as applicable, for substantially all the employees
of the Corporation. Investments in the plans are participant-
directed, and employer matching contributions are determined
based on the specific provisions of each plan. Employees are
fully vested in the employer’s contribution after five years of
service. The cost of providing these benefits in the year ended
December 31, 2017 was $10 million (2016 - $8.8 million, 2015
- $6.4 million).

The plans held 1,644,706 (2016 – 1,797,267) shares of
common stock of the Corporation with a market value of
approximately $58.4 million at December 31, 2017 (2016 -
$78.8 million).

The following tables present the discount rate and assumed
health care cost trend rates used to determine the benefit
obligation and the net periodic benefit
the
postretirement health care benefit plan.

cost

for

Weighted average assumptions used to determine
benefit obligation at years ended December 31:

Discount rate for benefit obligation
Initial health care cost trend rate
Ultimate health care cost trend rate
Year that the ultimate trend rate is reached

2017

2016

3.62% 4.10%
5.50% 6.00%
5.00% 5.00%
2019

2019

Weighted average assumptions used to
determine net periodic benefit cost for the
years ended December 31:

Discount rate for benefit obligation
Discount rate for service cost
Discount rate for interest cost
Initial health care cost trend rate
Ultimate health care cost trend rate
Year that the ultimate trend rate is reached

2017

2016

2015

4.10% 4.37% 4.00%
4.30% 4.63% 4.00%
3.58% 3.70% 4.00%
6.00% 6.50% 7.00%
5.00% 5.00% 5.00%
2019

2019

2019

Assumed health care trend rates generally have a significant
effect on the amounts reported for a health care plan. The
following table presents the effects of changes in the assumed
health care cost trend rates.

(In thousands)

Effect on total service cost and
interest cost components for
the year ended

Effect on accumulated

postretirement benefit
obligation at year end

December 31, 2017

1-percentage
point increase

1-percentage
point decrease

$ 191

$ (254)

$5,328

$(7,571)

The

following

the
postretirement health care benefit plan with an accumulated
post retirement benefit obligation in excess of plan assets.

information

presents

table

for

(In thousands)

Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

2017

2016

$170,720
170,720
–

$162,365
162,365
–

192 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Note 34 - Net income per common share
The following table sets forth the computation of net income per common share (“EPS”), basic and diluted, for the years ended
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

(In thousands, except per share information)

Net income from continuing operations
Net income from discontinued operations
Preferred stock dividends

Net income applicable to common stock

Average common shares outstanding
Average potential dilutive common shares

Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution

Basic EPS from continuing operations

Basic EPS from discontinued operations

Total Basic EPS

Diluted EPS from continuing operations

Diluted EPS from discontinued operations

Total Diluted EPS

As disclosed in Note 23, during the quarter ended March 31,
the Corporation completed a $75 million privately
2017,
negotiated accelerated share repurchase transaction (“ASR”). As
part of this transaction, the Corporation entered into a forward
contract in which the final number of shares delivered at
settlement was based on the average daily volume weighted
average price (“VWAP”) of its common stock, net of a discount,
during the term of the ASR. Based on the discounted VWAP of
$40.60,
its
outstanding common stock.

the Corporation received 1,847,372 shares of

Potential common shares consist of common stock issuable
under the assumed exercise of stock options, restricted stock
and performance shares awards using the treasury stock
method. This method assumes that
the potential common
shares are issued and the proceeds from exercise, in addition to
the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services,
are used to purchase common stock at the exercise date. The
difference between the number of potential shares issued and
the shares purchased is added as incremental shares to the
actual number of shares outstanding to compute diluted
earnings per share. Warrants, stock options, restricted stock
and performance shares awards, if any, that result in lower

2017

2016

2015

$

107,681
–
(3,723)

$

215,556
1,135
(3,723)

893,997
1,347
(3,723)

103,958

$

212,968

$

891,621

101,966,429
78,907

103,275,264
102,019

102,967,186
157,123

102,045,336

103,377,283

103,124,309

1.02

–

1.02

1.02

–

1.02

$

$

$

$

$

$

2.05

0.01

2.06

2.05

0.01

2.06

$

$

$

$

$

$

8.65

0.01

8.66

8.64

0.01

8.65

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

potential shares issued than shares purchased under
the
treasury stock method are not included in the computation of
dilutive earnings per share since their inclusion would have an
antidilutive effect in earnings per common share.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015,

there were no stock options outstanding.

Note 35 - Rental expense and commitments
At December 31, 2017, the Corporation was obligated under a
number of non-cancelable leases for land, buildings, and
equipment which require rentals as follows:

Year

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Later years

Minimum
payments [1]

$

(In thousands)
31,886
29,845
28,160
26,005
23,077
107,986

$

246,959

[1] Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum non-cancelable
sublease rentals due in the future of $ 0.3 million at December 31, 2017.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 193

Note 38 - Stock-based compensation

Incentive Plan
In April 2004, the Corporation’s shareholders adopted the
Popular, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Incentive
Plan”). The Incentive Plan permits the granting of incentive
awards in the form of Annual Incentive Awards, Long-term
Performance Unit Awards, Stock Options, Stock Appreciation
Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Units or Performance
Shares. Participants in the Incentive Plan are designated by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (or its
delegate as determined by the Board). Employees and directors
of the Corporation and/or any of its subsidiaries are eligible to
participate in the Incentive Plan.
Under the Incentive Plan,

the Corporation has issued
restricted shares, which become vested based on the employees’
continued service with Popular. Unless otherwise stated in an
agreement, the compensation cost associated with the shares of
restricted stock is determined based on a two-prong vesting
is vested ratably over five years
schedule. The first part
commencing at
the date of grant (the “graduated vesting
portion”) and the second part is vested at termination of
employment after attaining 55 years of age and 10 years of
service (the “retirement vesting portion”). The graduated
vesting portion is accelerated at termination of employment
after attaining 55 years of age and 10 years of service. The
vesting schedule for restricted shares granted on or after 2014
was modified as follows: the first part is vested ratably over four
years commencing at the date of the grant (the “graduated
vesting portion”) and the second part is vested at termination of
employment after attaining the earlier of 55 years of age and 10
years of service or 60 years of age and 5 years of service (the
“retirement vesting portion”). The graduated vesting portion is
accelerated at termination of employment after attaining the
earlier of 55 years of age and 10 years of service or 60 years of
age and 5 years of service.

Total rental expense for all operating leases, except those
with terms of a month or less that were not renewed, for the
year ended December 31, 2017 was $ 32.1 million (2016 - $
32.4 million; 2015 - $ 35.9 million), which is included in net
occupancy, equipment and communication expenses, according
to their nature.

Note 36 - Other service fees
The following table presents the major categories of other
service fees for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and
2015.

(In thousands)

Debit card fees
Insurance fees
Credit card fees
Sale and administration of
investment products

Trust fees
Other fees

2017

2016

2015

$ 42,721
50,948
67,584

$ 46,241
63,482
70,526

$ 46,176
63,976
68,166

21,958
19,972
14,084

21,450
18,811
14,260

23,846
18,866
15,060

Total other service fees

$217,267

$234,770

$236,090

Note 37 - FDIC loss share (expense) income
The caption of FDIC loss-share (expense) income in the
consolidated statements of operations consists of the following
major categories:

(In thousands)

Amortization of loss share
indemnification asset
80% mirror accounting on

credit impairment losses[1]

80% mirror accounting on
reimbursable expenses
80% mirror accounting on

recoveries on covered assets,
including rental income on
OREOs, subject to
reimbursement to the FDIC

Change in true-up payment

obligation

Arbitration decision charge
Other

Total FDIC loss share
(expense) income

Years ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

$ (469)

$ (10,201)

$(66,238)

3,136

2,454

(239)

15,658

8,433

73,205

2,405

(31,338)

(13,836)

(11,700)
–
(5,892)

(33,413)
(136,197)
(4,824)

9,559
–
1,714

$(10,066) $(207,779)

$ 20,062

[1] Reductions in expected cash flows for ASC 310-30 loans, which may impact
the provision for loan losses, may consider reductions in both principal and
interest cash flow expectations. The amount covered under the FDIC loss
sharing agreements for interest not collected from borrowers is limited
under the agreements (approximately 90 days); accordingly, these amounts
are not subject fully to the 80% mirror accounting.

194 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

The following table summarizes the restricted stock and
performance shares activity under the Incentive Plan for
members of management.

(Not in thousands)

Non-vested at January 1, 2015
Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2015
Granted
Performance Shares Quantity

Adjustment

Vested
Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2016
Granted
Performance Shares Quantity

Adjustment

Vested

Shares

628,009
323,814
(430,646)
(25,446)

495,731
344,488

39,566
(487,784)
(8,019)

383,982
212,200

(232,989)
(67,853)

Non-vested at December 31, 2017

295,340

Weighted-average
grant date
fair value

$27.13
33.37
30.45
28.65

$28.25
25.86

24.37
27.72
29.13

$26.35
42.57

29.10
48.54

$30.75

During the year ended December 31, 2017, 138,516 shares
of restricted stock (2016 - 279,890; 2015 - 231,830) were
awarded to management under the Incentive Plan.

Beginning in 2015, the Corporation authorized the issuance
of performance shares, in addition to restricted shares, under
the Incentive Plan. The performance share awards consist of the
opportunity to receive shares of Popular, Inc.’s common stock
provided that the Corporation achieves certain goals during a
three-year performance cycle. The goals will be based on two
metrics weighted equally: the Relative Total Shareholder Return
(“TSR”) and the Absolute Earnings per Share (“EPS”) goals.
The TSR metric is considered to be a market condition under
ASC 718. For equity settled awards based on a market
condition, the fair value is determined as of the grant date and
is not subsequently revised based on actual performance. The
EPS performance metric is considered to be a performance
condition under ASC 718. The fair value is determined based
on the probability of achieving the EPS goal as of each reporting
period. The TSR and EPS metrics are equally weighted and
work independently. The number of shares that will ultimately
vest ranges from 50% to a 150% of target based on both market
(TSR) and performance (EPS) conditions. The performance
shares vest at the end of the three-year performance cycle. The
vesting is accelerated at
termination of employment after
attaining the earlier of 55 years of age and 10 years of service or
60 years of age and 5 years of service. During the year ended
December 31, 2017, 73,684 performance shares (2016 - 64,598;
2015 - 91,984) were granted under this plan.

incentive

awards, with a

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
recognized $ 5.6 million of restricted stock expense related to
management
tax benefit of
$1.1 million (2016 - $7.3 million, with a tax benefit of
$1.4 million; 2015 - $10.7 million, with a tax benefit of $1.6
million). During the year ended December 31, 2017, the fair
market value of the restricted stock vested was $4.4 million at
grant date and $6.4 million at vesting date. This triggers a
windfall of $0.8 million that was recorded as a reduction on
income tax expense. During the year ended December 31, 2017
the Corporation recognized $1.2 million of performance shares
expense, with a tax benefit of $ 0.1 million (2016 - $1.5 million,
with a tax benefit of $0.1 million; 2015 - $2.2 million, with a
tax benefit of $0.2 million). The
total unrecognized
compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards
to members of management at December 31, 2017 was $
8.0 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-
average period of 2.3 years.

The following table summarizes the restricted stock activity
under the Incentive Plan for members of the Board of Directors:

Restricted
stock

Weighted-average
grant date
fair value

(Not in thousands)

Nonvested at January 1, 2015
Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2015
Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2016
Granted
Vested
Forfeited

–
22,119
(22,119)
–

–
40,517
(40,517)
–

–
25,771
(25,771)
–

Non-vested at December 31, 2017

–

–
$32.29
32.29
–

–
$29.77
29.77
–

–
$38.42
38.42
–

–

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Corporation
granted 25,771 shares of restricted stock to members of the
Board of Directors of Popular, Inc., which became vested at
grant date (2016 - 40,517; 2015 – 22,119). During this period,
the Corporation recognized $1.3 million of restricted stock
expense related to these restricted stock grants, with a tax
benefit of $0.1 million (2016 - $1.1 million, with a tax benefit
of $ 0.1 million; 2015 - $0.5 million, with a tax benefit of $0.1
million). The fair value at vesting date of the restricted stock
vested during the year ended December 31, 2017 for directors
was $ 1.0 million.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 195

Note 39 - Income taxes
The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, are summarized in the following table.

(In thousands)

Current income tax expense:
Puerto Rico
Federal and States

Subtotal

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
Puerto Rico
Federal and States
Adjustment for enacted changes in income tax laws

Subtotal

Total income tax expense (benefit)

2017

2016

2015

$ 17,356
6,046

$11,031
7,059

$ 16,675
7,281

23,402

18,090

23,956

31,132
7,938
168,358

207,428

36,423
24,271
–

60,694

63,808
(582,936)
–

(519,128)

$230,830

$78,784

$(495,172)

The reasons for the difference between the income tax expense (benefit) applicable to income before provision for income taxes

and the amount computed by applying the statutory tax rate in Puerto Rico were as follows:

(In thousands)

Computed income tax at statutory rates
Benefit of net tax exempt interest income
Effect of income subject to preferential tax rate
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Difference in tax rates due to multiple jurisdictions
Adjustment in net deferred tax due to change in tax law
Unrecognized tax benefits
State and local taxes
Others

Income tax expense (benefit)

Amount

$132,020
(76,815)
(13,104)
20,882
(2,217)
168,358
(1,185)
4,123
(1,232)

$230,830

2017

% of pre-tax
income

39%
(23)
(4)
6
(1)
50
–
1
–

68%

2016

% of pre-tax
income

39%
(22)
4
6
(1)
–
(2)
3
–

27%

Amount

$114,792
(63,053)
11,155
16,585
(4,092)
–
(4,442)
9,081
(1,242)

$ 78,784

2015

Amount

$ 155,542
(60,049)
(10,010)
(586,159)
(3,008)
–
–
4,543
3,969

$(495,172)

% of pre-tax
income

39%
(15)
(3)
(147)
(1)
–
–
1
1

(125)%

The results for the year ended December 31, 2015, reflect a
tax benefit of $589 million as a result of the partial reversal of
the valuation allowance on the Corporation’s deferred tax asset
from the U.S. operation as further explained below.

During the third quarter of 2017, a reversal of $1.2 million
in the reserve for uncertain tax positions, including interest was
recognized due to the expiration of the statute of limitation in
the P.R. operations compared to $4.4 million in the same
quarter of 2016.

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States
signed into law the “Tax Cuts and Job Acts” (the “Act”), which
resulted in a reduction in the U.S. operations net deferred tax
asset with a corresponding charge to income tax expense of

$168.4 million primarily for a reduction in the marginal
significant
corporate income tax rate. Among the most
provisions of the 2017 Federal Tax Reform was the reduction of
the U.S. federal income tax rate from a maximum rate of 35% to
a single tax rate of 21%. The Act contains other provisions,
effective on January 1, 2018, which may impact
the
Corporation’s tax calculations and related income tax expense
in future years. At December 31, 2017, the Corporation had a
deferred tax asset amounting to $1.0 billion, net of a valuation
allowance of $448 million. The DTA related to the U.S.
operations was $348 million, net of a valuation allowance of
$381 million.

196 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
for financial reporting purposes and their tax bases. Significant components of the Corporation’s deferred tax assets and liabilities
at December 31 were as follows:

(In thousands)

Deferred tax assets:
Tax credits available for carryforward
Net operating loss and other carryforward available
Postretirement and pension benefits
Deferred loan origination fees
Allowance for loan losses
Deferred gains
Accelerated depreciation
Intercompany deferred (loss) gains
Difference in outside basis from pass-through entities
Other temporary differences

Total gross deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:
FDIC-assisted transaction
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Unrealized net gain on trading and available-for-sale securities
Other temporary differences

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

Valuation allowance

Net deferred tax asset

(In thousands)

Deferred tax assets:
Tax credits available for carryforward
Net operating loss and other carryforward available
Postretirement and pension benefits
Deferred loan origination fees
Allowance for loan losses
Deferred gains
Accelerated depreciation
Intercompany deferred (loss) gains
Difference between the assigned values and the tax basis of assets and liabilities recognized in

purchase business combinations

Other temporary differences

Total gross deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:
FDIC-assisted transaction
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Unrealized net gain on trading and available-for-sale securities
Other temporary differences

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

Valuation allowance

Net deferred tax asset

December 31, 2017
US

Total

PR

$ 16,069
115,512
85,488
3,669
603,462
–
1,300
224
30,424
25,084

$ 7,979
708,158
–
958
20,708
2,670
7,083
–
–
6,901

$

24,048
823,670
85,488
4,627
624,170
2,670
8,383
224
30,424
31,985

881,232

754,457

1,635,689

60,402
31,973
26,364
9,876

128,615

–
33,009
(7,961)
386

25,434

67,263

380,561

60,402
64,982
18,403
10,262

154,049

447,824

$685,354

$348,462

$1,033,816

December 31, 2016
US

Total

PR

$ 16,552
112,929
94,741
4,335
628,127
–
605
2,496

$

1,958
1,125,293
–
2,287
20,980
4,884
9,223
–

$

18,510
1,238,222
94,741
6,622
649,107
4,884
9,828
2,496

13,160
16,417

–
14,710

13,160
31,127

889,362

1,179,335

2,068,697

58,363
28,412
30,334
7,892

125,001

46,951

–
45,562
(8,999)
585

37,148

617,336

58,363
73,974
21,335
8,477

162,149

664,287

$717,410

$ 524,851

$1,242,261

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 197

The net deferred tax asset shown in the table above at
December 31, 2017 is reflected in the consolidated statements
of financial condition as $1.0 billion in net deferred tax assets
(in the “other assets” caption) (2016 - $1.2 billion in deferred
tax asset in the “other assets” caption) and $1.3 million in
deferred tax liabilities (in the “other liabilities” caption) (2016 -
$1.4 million in deferred tax liabilities in the “other liabilities”
reflecting the aggregate deferred tax assets or
caption),
liabilities
the
of
Corporation.

subsidiaries

tax-paying

individual

of

Included as part of the other carryforwards available are
$44.2 million related to contributions to BPPR’s qualified
pension plan and $17.4 million of other net operating loss
carryforwards (“NOLs”) primarily related to the loss on sale of
non-performing assets that have no expiration date since they
were realized through a single member
limited liability
company with partnership election. Additionally, the deferred
tax asset related to the NOLs outstanding at December 31, 2017
expires as follows:

(In thousands)

2018
2019
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2037

$

446
648
46
1,166
901
10,736
14,057
11,608
48,044
291,773
101,969
105,219
86,474
16,053
464
66,268
6,165

$762,037

A deferred tax asset should be reduced by a valuation
allowance if based on the weight of all available evidence, it is
more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some
portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. The
valuation allowance should be sufficient to reduce the deferred
tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be
realized. The determination of whether a deferred tax asset is
realizable is based on weighting all available evidence,
including both positive and negative evidence. The realization
of deferred tax assets, including carryforwards and deductible
temporary differences, depends upon the existence of sufficient
taxable income of the same character during the carryback or
carryforward period. The analysis considers all sources of
taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset,

198 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

including the future reversal of existing taxable temporary
reversing
future taxable income exclusive of
differences,
temporary differences and carryforwards, taxable income in
prior carryback years and tax-planning strategies.

At December 31, 2017 the net deferred tax asset of the U.S.
operations amounted to $729 million with a valuation
allowance of approximately $381 million, for a net deferred tax
asset after valuation allowance of approximately $348 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, after weighting all
positive and negative evidence, the Corporation concluded that
it is more likely than not that a portion of the total deferred tax
asset
from the U.S. operations, comprised mainly of net
operating losses, will be realized. The Corporation based this
determination on its estimated earnings for the remaining
carryforward period of eighteen years beginning with the 2016
fiscal year, available to utilize the deferred tax asset, to reduce
its income tax obligations. The historical level of book income
adjusted by permanent differences, together with the estimated
earnings after the reorganization of the U.S. operations and
additional estimated earnings from the Doral Bank Transaction
were objective positive evidence considered by the Corporation.
As of December 31, 2015, the U.S. operations were not in a
three year loss cumulative position, taking into account taxable
income exclusive of reversing temporary differences. All of
these factors led management to conclude that it is more likely
than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset from its U.S.
the Corporation
operations will be realized. Accordingly,
recorded a partial reversal of the valuation allowance on the
from the U.S. operations amounting to
deferred tax asset
approximately
ended
December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2017, management
estimated that the U.S. operations would earn enough pre-tax
Income during the carryover period to realize the total amount
of net deferred tax asset after valuation allowance. After
weighting
evidence,
management concluded that it is more likely than not that a
portion of the deferred tax asset from the U.S. operation,
amounting to approximately $348 million, will be realized.
Management will continue to evaluate the realization of the
deferred tax asset each quarter and adjust as any changes arise.

available positive

$589 million,

and negative

during

year

the

all

At December 31, 2017, the Corporation’s net deferred tax
assets related to its Puerto Rico operations amounted to
$685 million.

The Corporation’s Puerto Rico Banking operation is not in a
cumulative loss position and has sustained profitability for the
three year period ended December 31, 2017. This is considered
a strong piece of objectively verifiable positive evidence that out
weights any negative evidence considered by management in
the evaluation of the realization of the deferred tax asset. Based
on this evidence and management’s estimate of future taxable
income, the Corporation has concluded that it is more likely
than not that such net deferred tax asset of the Puerto Rico
Banking operations will be realized.

taking into account

The Holding Company operation is in a cumulative loss
taxable income exclusive of
position,
reversing temporary differences,
for the three years period
ending December 31, 2017. Management expect these losses
will be a trend in future years. This objectively verifiable
negative evidence is considered by management a strong
negative evidence that will suggest that income in future years
will be insufficient to support the realization of all deferred tax
asset. After weighting of all positive and negative evidence
management concluded, as of the reporting date, that it is more
likely than not that the Holding Company will not be able to
realize any portion of the deferred tax assets, considering the
criteria of ASC Topic 740. Accordingly, the Corporation has
maintained a full valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset
of $67 million as of December 2017.

Under

the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code,

the
Corporation and its subsidiaries are treated as separate taxable
entities and are not entitled to file consolidated tax returns.
However, certain subsidiaries that are organized as limited
liability companies with a partnership election are treated as
pass-through entities for Puerto Rico tax purposes. The Code
provides a dividends-received deduction of 100% on dividends
received from “controlled” subsidiaries subject to taxation in
Puerto Rico and 85% on dividends received from other taxable
domestic corporations.

The Corporation’s subsidiaries in the United States file a
income tax return. The intercompany
consolidated federal
settlement of taxes paid is based on tax sharing agreements
which generally allocate taxes to each entity based on a separate
return basis.
The

reconciliation

presents

of

a

table
unrecognized tax benefits.

following

(In millions)

Balance at January 1, 2016
Additions for tax positions related to 2016
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years
Reduction as a result of lapse of statute of limitations

Balance at December 31, 2016
Additions for tax positions related to 2017
Reduction as a result of lapse of statute of limitations
Reduction as a result of settlements

Balance at December 31, 2017

$ 9.0
1.1
0.3
(3.0)

$ 7.4
1.1
(0.9)
(0.3)

$ 7.3

of

in

the

financial

statement

the total amount of

At December 31, 2017,

interest
condition
recognized
approximated $2.7 million (2016 - $2.9 million). The total
interest expense recognized during 2017 was $598 thousand
net of the reduction of $505 thousand due to settlement and
$353 thousand due to the expiration of
the statute of
limitations (2016 - $1.2 million). Management determined that,
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there was no need to accrue
for the payment of penalties. The Corporation’s policy is to
report interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income
tax expense, while the penalties, if any, are reported in other
operating
of
operations.

consolidated statements

expenses

in the

After consideration of the effect on U.S.

federal tax of
the total amount of
unrecognized U.S. state tax benefits,
unrecognized tax benefits, including U.S. and Puerto Rico that,
if recognized, would affect the Corporation’s effective tax rate,
was approximately $9.0 million at December 31, 2017 (2016 -
$9.0 million).

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or
decrease in the future for various reasons including adding
amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open
income tax returns due to the statute of limitations, changes in
management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of
examinations,
and the
addition or elimination of uncertain tax positions.

litigation and legislative

activity,

The Corporation and its subsidiaries file income tax returns
in Puerto Rico, the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various U.S. states
and political subdivisions, and foreign jurisdictions. As of
December 31, 2017, the following years remain subject to
examination in the U.S. Federal
jurisdiction – 2014 and
thereafter and in the Puerto Rico jurisdiction – 2013 and
thereafter. The Corporation anticipates a reduction in the total
amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12
months, which could amount to approximately $4.6 million.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 199

Note 40 - Supplemental disclosure on the consolidated statements of cash flows
Additional disclosures on cash flow information and non-cash activities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are
listed in the following table:

(In thousands)
Income taxes paid
Interest paid
Non-cash activities:

Loans transferred to other real estate
Loans transferred to other property
Total loans transferred to foreclosed assets
Financed sales of other real estate assets
Financed sales of other foreclosed assets
Total financed sales of foreclosed assets
Transfers from loans held-in-portfolio to loans held-for-sale
Transfers from loans held-for-sale to loans held-in-portfolio
Transfers from trading securities to available-for-sale securities
Loans securitized into investment securities [1]
Trades receivables from brokers and counterparties
Trades payable to brokers and counterparties
Receivables from investments securities
Recognition of mortgage servicing rights on securitizations or asset transfers
Interest capitalized on loans subject to the temporary payment moratorium
Loans booked under the GNMA buy-back option

[1]

Includes loans securitized into trading securities and subsequently sold before year end.

2017
$ 2,433
221,432

2016
$ 3,763
212,353

2015

$

7,152
193,503

82,035
27,407
109,442
11,237
8,435
19,672
2,472
1,705
–
462,033
7,514
2
70,000
7,661
46,944
790,942

117,334
28,614
145,948
15,452
17,351
32,803
7,249
5,947
–
775,612
46,630
102
–
10,884
–
91,255

136,368
36,106
172,474
24,104
22,745
46,849
65,063
17,065
63,645
1,088,121
78,759
6,150
–
13,460
–
58,568

the Corporation’s Puerto Rico
On February 27, 2015,
banking subsidiary, BPPR,
in an alliance with co-bidders,
including the Corporation’s U.S. mainland banking subsidiary,
BPNA, acquired certain assets and all deposits (other than
certain brokered deposits) of Doral Bank from the FDIC as
receiver. As part of this transaction, BPPR received net cash
proceeds of approximately $731 million for consideration of the
assets and liabilities acquired.

It

includes aspects of

targeted mainly to corporate, small and middle size
the lending and
businesses.
depository businesses, as well as other
finance and
advisory services. BPPR allocates funds across business
areas based on duration matched transfer pricing at
market rates. This area also incorporates income related
with the investment of excess funds, as well as a
proportionate share of the investment function of BPPR.

Note 41 - Segment reporting
The Corporation’s
two
reportable segments – Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and Banco
Popular North America. These reportable segments pertain only
to the continuing operations of Popular, Inc.

consists of

corporate

structure

Management determined the reportable segments based on
the internal reporting used to evaluate performance and to
assess where to allocate resources. The segments were
determined based on the organizational
structure, which
focuses primarily on the markets the segments serve, as well as
on the products and services offered by the segments.

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico:
Given that Banco Popular de Puerto Rico constitutes a
significant portion of the Corporation’s results of operations
and total assets at December 31, 2017, additional disclosures
are provided for the business areas included in this reportable
segment, as described below:

• Commercial

the Corporation’s
banking operations conducted at BPPR, which are

represents

banking

200 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

• Consumer and retail banking represents the branch
banking operations of BPPR which focus on retail clients.
It includes the consumer lending business operations of
BPPR, as well as the lending operations of Popular Auto
and Popular Mortgage. Popular Auto focuses on auto and
lease
focuses
principally on residential mortgage loan originations. The
consumer and retail banking area also incorporates
income related with the investment of excess funds from
the branch network, as well as a proportionate share of
the investment function of BPPR.

Popular Mortgage

financing, while

• Other

financial services include the trust and asset
management service units of BPPR, the brokerage and
investment banking operations of Popular Securities, and
the insurance agency and reinsurance businesses of
Popular Insurance, Popular Insurance V.I., Popular Risk
Services, and Popular Life Re. Most of the services that are
provided by these subsidiaries generate profits based on
fee income.

Banco Popular North America:
Banco Popular North America’s reportable segment consists of
the banking operations of BPNA, E-LOAN,
Inc., Popular
Equipment Finance, Inc. and Popular Insurance Agency, U.S.A.
BPNA operates through a retail branch network in the U.S.
mainland under the name of Popular Community Bank, while
E-LOAN, Inc. supported BPNA’s deposit gathering through its
online platform until March 31, 2017, when said operations
were transferred to Popular Direct, a division of BPNA. During
the third quarter of 2015, BPNA and E-LOAN, Inc. completed
an asset purchase and sale transaction in which E-LOAN, Inc.
sold to BPNA all of its outstanding loan portfolio, including
residential mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit,
which had a carrying value of approximately $213 million.
Prior to this transaction, the Corporation provided additional
disclosures for the BPNA reportable segment related to E-
LOAN, Inc. After the close of the above mentioned asset
purchase and sale transaction, additional disclosures with
respect to E-LOAN, Inc. are no longer considered relevant to
the financial statements and accordingly are not presented.
During 2017, the E-LOAN brand was transferred to BPPR and is
being used to offer personal loans through an online platform.
Popular Equipment Finance, Inc. also holds a running-off loan
portfolio as this subsidiary ceased originating loans during
2009. Popular Insurance Agency, U.S.A. offers investment and
insurance services across the BPNA branch network.
The Corporate group consists primarily of

the holding
companies: Popular, Inc., Popular North America, Popular
International Bank and certain of the Corporation’s investments
accounted for under the equity method, including EVERTEC
and Centro Financiero BHD, Leon. The Corporate group also
includes the expenses of certain corporate areas that are
identified as critical to the organization including: Finance,
Risk Management and Legal.

are

accounting policies of

The
the
segments
Transactions between reportable
conducted at market
eliminated for reporting consolidated results of operations.

individual operating
the Corporation.
are primarily
that are

segments
resulting in profits

the
those of

rates,

same

as

The tables that follow present the results of operations and

total assets by reportable segments:

(In thousands)

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Amortization of intangibles
Depreciation expense
Other operating expenses
Income tax expense

Net income

Segment assets

December 31, 2017

Banco Popular
de Puerto Rico

Banco Popular
North America

Intersegment
Eliminations

$

$ 1,279,844
253,032
364,164
8,713
39,162
957,924
72,741

$ 280,946
77,944
20,430
665
8,553
170,042
191,749

$

312,436

$ (147,577)

$

(217)
–
(572)
–
–
(551)
(93)

(145)

$34,843,668

$9,168,256

$(16,992)

December 31, 2017

Reportable
Segments

Corporate Eliminations Total Popular, Inc.

(In thousands)

Net interest income

(expense)

Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Amortization of
intangibles

Depreciation expense
Other operating expenses
Income tax expense

$ 1,560,573 $ (58,609) $

330,976
384,022

9,378
47,715
1,127,415

403
37,949

–
649
74,731

(benefit)

264,397

(35,835)

Net income (loss)

$

164,714 $ (60,608) $

–
(5,955)
(2,804)

–
–
(2,692)

$ 1,501,964
325,424
419,167

9,378
48,364
1,199,454

2,268

3,575

230,830

$

107,681

Segment assets

$43,994,932 $5,046,153 $(4,763,748)

$44,277,337

(In thousands)

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Amortization of intangibles
Goodwill impairment charge
Depreciation expense
Other operating expenses
Income tax expense

Net income

Segment assets

December 31, 2016

Banco Popular
de Puerto Rico

Banco Popular
North America

Intersegment
Eliminations

$ 1,224,771
154,785
243,368
11,479
3,801
39,505
952,894
75,615

$ 258,416
15,266
21,651
665
–
6,715
174,585
36,712

$

(474)
–
(119)
–
–
–
(779)
92

$

230,060

$

46,124

$

94

$29,841,854

$8,629,439

$(31,397)

December 31, 2016

Reportable
Segments

Corporate Eliminations Total Popular, Inc.

$ 1,482,713 $ (60,658) $

–

$ 1,422,055

170,051
264,900

(35)
35,705

–
(2,669)

170,016
297,936

12,144

–

–

12,144

3,801
46,220
1,126,700

–
654
68,694

–
–
(2,578)

3,801
46,874
1,192,816

(In thousands)

Net interest income

(expense)

Provision (reversal) for

loan losses

Non-interest income
Amortization of
intangibles

Goodwill impairment

charge

Depreciation expense
Other operating expenses
Income tax expense

(benefit)

112,419

(33,617)

Net income (loss)

$

276,278 $ (60,649) $

(18)

(73)

78,784

$

215,556

Segment assets

$38,439,896 $4,982,113 $(4,760,400)

$38,661,609

(In thousands)

Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Amortization of intangibles
Depreciation expense
Other operating expenses
Income tax expense (benefit)

Net income

Segment assets

December 31, 2015

Banco Popular
de Puerto Rico

Banco Popular
North America

Intersegment
Eliminations

$

$ 1,231,585
240,817
464,786
10,465
40,440
970,201
116,058

$ 239,379
626
22,667
554
6,272
188,102
(580,738)

$

318,390

$ 647,230

$

–
–
125
–
–
–
–

125

$27,907,350

$7,780,002

$(129,038)

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 201

Net interest income $
Provision for loan

losses
Non-interest
income

Amortization of
intangibles
Depreciation
expense

Other operating
expenses

Income tax expense

(In thousands)

Net interest income

(expense)

Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income
Amortization of
intangibles

Depreciation expense
Other operating expenses
Income tax benefit

December 31, 2015

Reportable
Segments

Corporate Eliminations Total Popular, Inc.

$ 1,470,964 $ (61,981) $

241,443
487,578

35
34,486

11,019
46,712
1,158,303
(464,680)

–
762
74,212
(30,595)

–
–
(2,523)

–
–
(2,787)
103

$ 1,408,983
241,478
519,541

11,019
47,474
1,229,728
(495,172)

Net income (loss)

$

965,745 $ (71,909) $

161

$

893,997

Segment assets

$35,558,314 $4,945,704 $(4,742,285)

$35,761,733

Additional disclosures with respect to the Banco Popular de

Puerto Rico reportable segment are as follows:

December 31, 2015

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

(In thousands)

Commercial
Banking

Consumer
and Retail
Banking

Other
Financial
Services Eliminations

Total Banco
Popular de
Puerto Rico

Net interest income $
Provision for loan

losses
Non-interest
income

Amortization of
intangibles
Depreciation
expense

Other operating
expenses

Income tax expense

457,119 $

760,157 $ 7,793 $

6,516 $ 1,231,585

101,840

138,977

–

–

240,817

113,697

248,024 103,464

(399)

464,786

7

7,330

3,128

16,984

22,385

1,071

–

–

10,465

40,440

281,995
48,793

617,973
55,429

70,632
11,836

(399)
–

970,201
116,058

Net income

$

121,197 $

166,087 $ 24,590 $

6,516 $

318,390

Segment assets

$12,169,349 $15,662,115 $392,658 $(316,772) $27,907,350

December 31,2017

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

Geographic Information

(In thousands)

Commercial
Banking

Consumer
and Retail
Banking

Other
Financial
Services Eliminations

Total Banco
Popular de
Puerto Rico

518,404 $

753,922 $ 7,499 $

19 $ 1,279,844

8,911

244,121

–

–

253,032

(In thousands)

Revenues: [1]
Puerto Rico
United States
Other

2017

2016

2015

$1,527,758
318,093
75,280

$1,361,663
283,349
74,979

$1,598,066
255,714
74,744

79,630

194,741

90,222

(429)

364,164

Total consolidated revenues

$1,921,131

$1,719,991

$1,928,524

211

4,274

4,228

17,338

21,120

704

–

–

8,713

39,162

239,369
93,378

656,998
(31,404)

62,030
10,767

(473)
–

957,924
72,741

[1] Total revenues include net interest income (expense), service charges on
deposit accounts, other service fees, mortgage banking activities, net gain
(loss) and valuation adjustments on investment securities, trading account
(loss) profit, net (loss) gain on sale of loans and valuation adjustments on
loans held-for-sale, adjustments to indemnity reserves on loans sold, FDIC
loss share (expense) income and other operating income.

Net income

$

238,827 $

53,554 $ 19,992 $

63 $

312,436

Segment assets

$21,735,909 $20,180,173 $520,717 $(7,593,131) $34,843,668

Selected Balance Sheet Information

December 31, 2016

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

(In thousands)

Commercial
Banking

Consumer
and Retail
Banking

Other
Financial
Services Eliminations

Total Banco
Popular de
Puerto Rico

Net interest income $
Provision for loan

losses
Non-interest
income

Amortization of
intangibles

Goodwill

impairment
charge
Depreciation
expense

Other operating
expenses

Income tax expense

472,948 $

742,854 $ 6,172 $

2,797 $ 1,224,771

12,884

141,901

–

–

154,785

(91,411)

232,113 103,005

(339)

243,368

145

7,042

4,292

–

–

3,801

16,956

21,684

865

–

–

–

11,479

3,801

39,505

251,375
41,639

631,234
24,068

70,624
9,908

(339)
–

952,894
75,615

Net income

$

58,538 $

149,038 $ 19,687 $

2,797 $

230,060

Segment assets

$15,263,278 $17,592,743 $406,429 $(3,420,596) $29,841,854

(In thousands)

Puerto Rico

Total assets
Loans
Deposits
United States
Total assets
Loans
Deposits

Other

Total assets
Loans
Deposits [1]

2017

2016

2015

$33,705,624
17,591,078
27,575,292

$28,813,289
16,880,868
23,185,551

$26,764,689
17,477,070
20,893,232

$9,648,865
6,608,056
6,635,153

$8,928,475
5,799,562
6,266,473

$922,848
743,329
1,243,063

$919,845
755,017
1,044,200

$7,858,712
4,873,504
5,288,886

$1,138,332
778,656
1,027,605

[1] Represents deposits from BPPR operations located in the U.S. and British

Virgin Islands.

202 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Note 42 - Subsequent events
On February 14, 2018, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, entered
into an agreement
to acquire and assume from Reliable
Financial Services, Inc. and Reliable Finance Holding Company,
subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”),
certain assets and liabilities related to Wells Fargo’s auto
finance business in Puerto Rico (“Reliable”).

As part of

the transaction, Banco Popular will acquire
approximately $1.5 billion in retail auto loans and $340 million
in commercial
loans. The acquired auto loan portfolio has
credit characteristics that are similar to Banco Popular’s existing
self-originated portfolio. Banco Popular will also acquire certain
other assets and assume certain liabilities of Reliable.

The purchase price for the all-cash transaction is expected to
be approximately $1.7 billion, reflecting an aggregate discount
of 4.5% on the assets to be acquired. Banco Popular will fund
the purchase price with existing liquidity. The transaction is
to the receipt by the parties of any further
not subject
to satisfaction of customary
regulatory approvals. Subject

closing conditions, Popular anticipates the transaction to close
during the second quarter of 2018.

On or after closing, Reliable employees will become
employees of Banco Popular. Reliable will continue operating
independently as a division of Banco Popular for a period of
time after closing, before integrating Reliable’s operations with
Popular Auto’s.

The Corporation will account

for this transaction as a
business combination under U.S. GAAP, in accordance with
ASC 805.

Note 43 - Popular, Inc. (holding company only) financial
information

The following condensed financial information presents the
financial position of Popular, Inc. Holding Company only at
December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2017.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 203

Condensed Statements of Condition

(In thousands)

ASSETS
Cash and due from banks (includes $47,663 due from bank subsidiary (2016 – $47,614))
Money market investments
Trading account securities
Other investment securities, at lower of cost or realizable value (includes $8,725 in common securities from

statutory trusts (2016 – $8,725))[1]

Investment in BPPR and subsidiaries, at equity
Investment in Popular North America and subsidiaries, at equity
Investment in other non-bank subsidiaries, at equity
Other loans
Less – Allowance for loan losses
Premises and equipment
Investment in equity method investees
Other assets (includes $1,096 due from subsidiaries and affiliate (2016 – $936))

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Notes payable
Other liabilities (includes $2,033 due to subsidiaries and affiliate (2016 – $2,574))
Stockholders’ equity

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

[1] Refer to Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements for information on the statutory trusts.

December 31,

2017

2016

$

47,663
246,457
3,985

$

47,783
252,347
2,640

9,850
3,727,383
1,534,640
232,387
33,221
266
3,365
49,777
18,025

9,850
3,658,451
1,707,167
243,993
1,142
2
3,067
51,259
11,257

$5,906,487

$5,988,954

$ 737,685
64,813
5,103,989

$ 735,600
55,309
5,198,045

$5,906,487

$5,988,954

204 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Condensed Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

Income:

Dividends from subsidiaries
Interest income (includes $3,183 due from subsidiaries and affiliates (2016 – $1,965; 2015 – $1,188))
Earnings from investments in equity method investees
Other operating income
Gain on sale and valuation adjustment of investment securities
Trading account profit (loss)

Total income

Expenses:

Interest expense
Provision (reversal of provision) for loan losses
Operating expenses (includes expenses for services provided by subsidiaries and affiliate of $8,225
(2016 – $8,160 ; 2015 – $7,309)), net of reimbursement by subsidiaries for services provided by
parent of $76,720 (2016 – $74,573 ; 2015 – $74,799)

Total expenses

Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
Income tax expense (benefit)

Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
Equity in undistributed (losses) earnings of subsidiaries

Income from continuing operations
Equity in undistributed earnings of discontinued operations

Net income

Comprehensive income, net of tax

Years ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017

$211,500
4,238
11,761
86
–
266

$102,300
2,141
12,352
–
1,767
90

$ 41,350
1,332
13,710
–
–
(187)

227,851

118,650

56,205

52,470
403

52,470
(35)

52,470
35

(1,773)

(4,208)

(1,293)

51,100

176,751
–

176,751
(69,070)

107,681
–

48,227

70,423
19

70,404
145,152

215,556
1,135

51,212

4,993
(186)

5,179
888,818

893,997
1,347

$107,681

$216,691

$895,344

$ 77,315

$153,291

$868,330

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 205

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries, net of dividends or distributions
Provision (reversal) for loan losses
Net accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums and deferred fees
Earnings from investments under the equity method
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

Gain on:

Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities

Net (increase) decrease in:
Trading securities

Other assets

Net increase (decrease) in:
Other liabilities

Total adjustments

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Net decrease (increase) in money market investments
Proceeds from sale of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Other
Capital contribution to subsidiaries

Net decrease in advances to subsidiaries and affiliates
Net repayments on other loans
Return of capital from equity method investments
Return of capital from wholly owned subsidiaries
Acquisition of loans portfolio
Acquisition of trademark
Acquisition of premises and equipment
Proceeds from sale of:

Premises and equipment
Foreclosed assets

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Dividends paid
Net payments for repurchase of common stock
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation

Net cash used in financing activities

Net (decrease) increase in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period

Cash and due from banks at end of period

Years ended December 31,
2016

2015

2017

$ 107,681

$ 216,691

$ 895,344

69,070
403
2,086
(11,761)
–

(146,287)
(35)
2,087
(12,352)
19

(890,165)
35
2
(13,710)
(186)

–

(1,767)

–

(1,345)
12,191

(620)
4,473

(380)
8,781

3,230

(3,854)

(5,622)

73,874

(158,336)

(901,245)

181,555

58,355

(5,901)

5,890

9,857

(242,457)

–
–
(5,955)
–
181
500
22,400
(31,909)
(5,560)
(965)

23
38

278
1,583
–
–
35
433
14,000
–
–
(953)

56
434

–
–
–
53,769
24
11,500
203,000
–
–
(1,079)

9
–

(15,357)

25,723

24,766

7,016
(95,910)
(75,668)
(1,756)

7,437
(65,932)
(475)
(1,623)

6,226
(19,257)
(1,021)
(963)

(166,318)

(60,593)

(15,015)

(120)
47,783

23,485
24,298

3,850
20,448

$ 47,663

$ 47,783

$ 24,298

Popular, Inc. (parent company only) received dividend distributions from its direct equity method investees amounting to $3.5

million for the year ended December 31, 2017 (2016 - $4.7 million).

206 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Notes payable include junior

subordinated debentures
issued by the Corporation that are associated to capital
securities issued by the Popular Capital Trust I, Popular Capital
Trust II and Popular Capital Trust III and medium-term notes.
Refer to Note 22 for a description of significant provisions
related to these junior subordinated debentures. The following
table presents the aggregate amounts by contractual maturities
of notes payable at December 31, 2017:

the financial position of Popular,

Note 44 - Condensed consolidating financial information of
guarantor and issuers of registered guaranteed securities
The following condensed consolidating financial information
presents
Inc. Holding
Company (“PIHC”) (parent only), Popular North America, Inc.
(“PNA”) and all other subsidiaries of
the Corporation at
their
December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of
operations and cash flows for the periods ended December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015.

Year

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Later years
No stated maturity

Total

(In thousands)

$

–
446,873
–
–
–
290,812
–

$737,685

PNA is an operating, wholly-owned subsidiary of PIHC and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries:
is the holding company of
Equity One, Inc. and Banco Popular North America (“BPNA”),
including
Popular
Equipment Finance, Inc., Popular Insurance Agency, U.S.A.,
and E-LOAN, Inc.

BPNA’s wholly-owned

subsidiaries

PIHC fully and unconditionally guarantees all registered

debt securities issued by PNA.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 207

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Financial Condition

(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash and due from banks
Money market investments
Trading account securities, at fair value
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value
Investment securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
Other investment securities, at lower of cost or realizable

value

Investment in subsidiaries
Loans held-for-sale, at lower of cost or fair value

Loans held-in-portfolio:

Loans not covered under loss-sharing agreements with the

FDIC

Loans covered under loss-sharing agreements with the

FDIC

Less - Unearned income

Allowance for loan losses

Total loans held-in-portfolio, net

FDIC loss-share asset
Premises and equipment, net
Other real estate not covered under loss-sharing agreements

with the FDIC

Other real estate covered under loss-sharing agreements with

the FDIC

Accrued income receivable
Mortgage servicing assets, at fair value
Other assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits:

Non-interest bearing
Interest bearing

Total deposits

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase
Other short-term borrowings
Notes payable
Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock
Surplus
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
Treasury stock, at cost
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Total stockholders’ equity

At December 31, 2017
All other
subsidiaries and
eliminations

PNA
Holding Co.

Elimination
entries

Popular, Inc.
Consolidated

$

462
2,807
–
–
–

$

402,910
5,254,662
39,303
10,178,738
93,821

$

(48,178)
(248,807)
(101)
–
–

$

402,857
5,255,119
43,187
10,178,738
93,821

4,492
1,646,287
–

152,883
–
132,395

–
(7,140,697)
–

167,225
–
132,395

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
112
–
34,312
–
–

24,384,251

5,955

24,423,427

517,274
130,633
623,160

–
–
–

517,274
130,633
623,426

24,147,732

5,955

24,186,642

45,192
543,777

169,260

19,595
213,574
168,031
1,912,727
627,294
29,558

–
–

–

–
(211)
–
(17,035)
–
–

45,192
547,142

169,260

19,595
213,844
168,031
1,991,323
627,294
35,672

Popular Inc.
Holding Co.

$

47,663
246,457
3,985
–
–

9,850
5,494,410
–

33,221

–
–
266

32,955

–
3,365

–

–
369
–
61,319
–
6,114

$5,906,487

$ 1,688,472

$44,131,452

$ (7,449,074)

$44,277,337

$

$

–
–

–

–
–
737,685
64,813

802,498

50,160
1,042
4,289,976
1,203,521
(90,058)
(350,652)

5,103,989

–
–

–

–
–
148,539
5,276

153,815

–
2
4,100,848
(2,536,707)
–
(29,486)

1,534,657

$ 8,539,123
27,211,370

35,750,493

390,921
96,208
650,132
1,641,383

$

(48,178)
(248,807)

$ 8,490,945
26,962,563

(296,985)

35,453,508

–
–
–
(15,033)

390,921
96,208
1,536,356
1,696,439

38,529,137

(312,018)

39,173,432

–
56,307
5,728,978
165,878
–
(348,848)

5,602,315

–
(56,309)
(9,821,299)
2,362,302
(84)
378,334

50,160
1,042
4,298,503
1,194,994
(90,142)
(350,652)

(7,137,056)

5,103,905

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$5,906,487

$ 1,688,472

$44,131,452

$(7,449,074)

$44,277,337

208 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Financial Condition

(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash and due from banks
Money market investments
Trading account securities, at fair value
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value
Investment securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
Other investment securities, at lower of cost or realizable

value

Investment in subsidiaries
Loans held-for-sale, at lower of cost or fair value

Loans held-in-portfolio:

Loans not covered under loss-sharing agreements with

the FDIC

Loans covered under loss-sharing agreements with the

FDIC

Less - Unearned income

Allowance for loan losses

Total loans held-in-portfolio, net

FDIC loss-share asset
Premises and equipment, net
Other real estate not covered under loss-sharing agreements

with the FDIC

Other real estate covered under loss-sharing agreements

with the FDIC

Accrued income receivable
Mortgage servicing assets, at fair value
Other assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits:

Non-interest bearing
Interest bearing

Total deposits

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase
Other short-term borrowings
Notes payable
Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock
Surplus
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
Treasury stock, at cost
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Total stockholders’ equity

At December 31, 2016
All other
subsidiaries and
eliminations

PNA
Holding Co.

Elimination
entries

Popular, Inc.
Consolidated

$

591
13,263
–
–
–

4,492
1,818,127
–

$

362,101
2,891,670
57,297
8,209,806
98,101

$

(48,081)
(267,063)
(132)
–
–

$

362,394
2,890,217
59,805
8,209,806
98,101

153,476
–
88,821

–
(7,427,738)
–

167,818
–
88,821

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
138
–
25,146
–
–

22,894,030

572,878
121,425
540,649

22,804,834

69,334
540,914

180,364

32,128
137,882
196,889
2,073,562
627,294
44,497

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
(90)
–
(14,968)
–
–

22,895,172

572,878
121,425
540,651

22,805,974

69,334
543,981

180,445

32,128
138,042
196,889
2,145,510
627,294
45,050

Popular, Inc.
Holding Co.

$

47,783
252,347
2,640
–
–

9,850
5,609,611
–

1,142

–
–
2

1,140

–
3,067

81

–
112
–
61,770
–
553

$5,988,954

$ 1,861,757

$38,568,970

$ (7,758,072)

$38,661,609

$

$

–
–

–

–
–

–

$ 7,028,524
23,782,844

30,811,368

$

(48,081)
(267,063)

$ 6,980,443
23,515,781

(315,144)

30,496,224

–
–
735,600
55,309

790,909

50,160
1,040
4,246,495
1,228,834
(8,198)
(320,286)

5,198,045

–
–
148,512
6,034

154,546

–
2
4,111,207
(2,382,049)
–
(21,949)

1,707,211

479,425
1,200
690,740
865,861

–
–
–
(15,253)

479,425
1,200
1,574,852
911,951

32,848,594

(330,397)

33,463,652

–
56,307
5,717,066
264,944
–
(317,941)

5,720,376

–
(56,309)
(9,819,746)
2,108,578
(88)
339,890

50,160
1,040
4,255,022
1,220,307
(8,286)
(320,286)

(7,427,675)

5,197,957

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$5,988,954

$ 1,861,757

$38,568,970

$(7,758,072)

$38,661,609

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 209

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

(In thousands)

Interest and dividend income:

Dividend income from subsidiaries
Loans
Money market investments
Investment securities
Trading account securities

Total interest and dividend income

Interest expense:

Deposits
Short-term borrowings
Long-term debt

Total interest expense

Net interest income (expense)
Provision for loan losses- non-covered loans
Provision for loan losses- covered loans

Net interest income (expense) after provision for loan losses

Service charges on deposit accounts
Other service fees
Mortgage banking activities
Net gain on sale of investment securities
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment

securities

Trading account profit (loss)
Net loss on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on

loans held-for-sale

Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold
FDIC loss-share expense
Other operating income

Total non-interest income

Operating expenses:
Personnel costs
Net occupancy expenses
Equipment expenses
Other taxes
Professional fees
Communications
Business promotion
FDIC deposit insurance
Other real estate owned (OREO) expenses
Other operating expenses
Amortization of intangibles

Total operating expenses

Income (loss) before income tax and equity in earnings of

subsidiaries

Income tax (benefit) expense

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

Net income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

210 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Popular, Inc.
Holding Co.

$211,500
1,056
2,616
566
–

215,738

–
–
52,470

52,470

163,268
403
–

162,865

–
–
–
–

–
266

–
–
–
11,847

12,113

47,561
3,876
2,925
217
11,766
549
2,014
–
42
(70,723)
–

(1,773)

176,751
–

176,751
(69,070)

$107,681

$ 77,315

Year ended December 31, 2017
All other
subsidiaries and
eliminations

PNA
Holding Co.

Elimination
entries

Popular, Inc.
Consolidated

$

–
–
54
322
–

376

–
–
10,767

10,767

(10,391)
–
–

(10,391)

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
921

921

–
–
2
–
(427)
–
–
–
–
51
–

(374)

(9,096)
(8,382)

(714)
(153,944)

$

–
1,477,713
51,495
190,309
4,487

1,724,004

144,534
5,728
13,155

163,417

1,560,587
325,234
5,742

1,229,611

153,709
220,073
25,496
334

(8,299)
(1,110)

(420)
(22,377)
(10,066)
51,598

408,938

436,669
85,318
62,215
43,165
281,585
21,917
56,431
26,392
48,498
190,467
9,378

1,262,035

376,514
236,944

139,570
–

$(211,500)
(4)
(2,670)
–
–

(214,174)

$

–
1,478,765
51,495
191,197
4,487

1,725,944

(2,670)
(4)
–

(2,674)

(211,500)
(5,955)
–

(205,545)

–
(2,806)
–
–

–
27

–
–
–
(26)

(2,805)

–
–
–
–
(436)
–
–
–
–
(2,256)
–

(2,692)

(205,658)
2,268

(207,926)
223,014

141,864
5,724
76,392

223,980

1,501,964
319,682
5,742

1,176,540

153,709
217,267
25,496
334

(8,299)
(817)

(420)
(22,377)
(10,066)
64,340

419,167

484,230
89,194
65,142
43,382
292,488
22,466
58,445
26,392
48,540
117,539
9,378

1,257,196

338,511
230,830

107,681
–

$(154,658)

$ 139,570

$ 15,088

$ 107,681

$(162,195)

$ 108,663

$ 53,532

$

77,315

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

(In thousands)
Interest and dividend income:

Dividend income from subsidiaries
Loans
Money market investments
Investment securities
Trading account securities

Total interest and dividend income

Interest expense:

Deposits
Short-term borrowings
Long-term debt

Total interest expense
Net interest income (expense)
Provision (reversal) for loan losses- non-covered loans
Provision (reversal) for loan losses- covered loans
Net interest income (expense) after provision for loan losses
Service charges on deposit accounts
Other service fees
Mortgage banking activities
Net gain on sale of investment securities
Other-than temporary impairment losses on investment

securities

Trading account profit (loss)
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on

loans held-for-sale

Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold
FDIC loss-share expense
Other operating income (loss)

Total non-interest income (loss)

Operating expenses:
Personnel costs
Net occupancy expenses
Equipment expenses
Other taxes
Professional fees
Communications
Business promotion
FDIC deposit insurance
Other real estate owned (OREO) expenses
Other operating expenses
Amortization of intangibles
Goodwill impairment charge

Total operating expenses

Popular, Inc.
Holding Co.

PNA
Holding Co.

Elimination
entries

Popular, Inc.
Consolidated

Year ended December 31, 2016
All other
subsidiaries and
eliminations

$102,300
78
1,399
664
–
104,441

$

–
–
101
322
–
423

$

–
1,459,642
16,428
151,025
6,414
1,633,509

$(102,300)
–
(1,500)
–
–
(103,800)

$

–
1,459,720
16,428
152,011
6,414
1,634,573

–
–
52,470
52,470
51,971
(35)
–
52,006
–
–
–
1,767

–
90

–
–
–
12,352
14,209

48,032
3,630
2,807
187
10,817
520
2,261
–
52
(72,514)
–
–
(4,208)

–
–
10,769
10,769
(10,346)
–
–
(10,346)
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
(2,559)
(2,559)

–
–
–
1
122
–
–
–
–
60
–
–
183

129,077
7,812
13,890
150,779
1,482,730
171,161
(1,110)
1,312,679
160,836
237,342
56,538
195

(209)
(831)

8,245
(17,285)
(207,779)
51,903
288,955

439,444
82,023
59,418
42,116
312,517
23,377
50,753
24,512
47,067
165,066
12,144
3,801
1,262,238

(1,500)
–
–
(1,500)
(102,300)
–
–
(102,300)
–
(2,572)
–
–

–
(44)

–
–
–
(53)
(2,669)

–
–
–
–
(413)
–
–
–
–
(2,165)
–
–
(2,578)

127,577
7,812
77,129
212,518
1,422,055
171,126
(1,110)
1,252,039
160,836
234,770
56,538
1,962

(209)
(785)

8,245
(17,285)
(207,779)
61,643
297,936

487,476
85,653
62,225
42,304
323,043
23,897
53,014
24,512
47,119
90,447
12,144
3,801
1,255,635

Income (loss) before income tax and equity in earnings of

subsidiaries

Income tax expense (benefit)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
Income from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
Equity in undistributed earnings of discontinued operations
Net Income

Comprehensive income, net of tax

70,423
19
70,404
145,152
215,556
–
1,135
$216,691

$153,291

(13,088)
(4,581)
(8,507)
41,574
33,067
–
1,135
$ 34,202

$ 20,108

339,396
83,364
256,032
–
256,032
1,135
–
$ 257,167

$ 195,118

(102,391)
(18)
(102,373)
(186,726)
(289,099)
–
(2,270)
$(291,369)

294,340
78,784
215,556
–
215,556
1,135
–
$ 216,691

$(215,226)

$ 153,291

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 211

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

(In thousands)
Interest and dividend income:

Dividend income from subsidiaries
Loans
Money market investments
Investment securities
Trading account securities

Total interest and dividend income

Interest Expense:

Deposits
Short-term borrowings
Long-term debt

Total interest expense
Net interest (expense) income
Provision for loan losses- non-covered loans
Provision for loan losses- covered loans
Net interest (expense) income after provision for loan losses
Service charges on deposit accounts
Other service fees
Mortgage banking activities
Net gain and valuation adjustments on investment securities
Other-than temporary impairment losses on investment

securities

Trading account loss
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on

loans held-for-sale

Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold
FDIC loss-share income
Other operating income (loss)

Total non-interest income (loss)

Operating expenses:
Personnel costs
Net occupancy expenses
Equipment expenses
Other taxes
Professional fees
Communications
Business promotion
FDIC deposit insurance
Other real estate owned (OREO) expenses
Other operating expenses
Amortization of intangibles
Restructuring costs

Total operating expenses

Popular, Inc.
Holding Co.

$ 41,350
673
40
619
–
42,682

–
–
52,470
52,470
(9,788)
35
–
(9,823)
–
–
–
–

–
(187)

–
–
–
13,710
13,523

49,112
3,591
2,240
(822)
11,384
519
1,868
–
–
(69,185)
–
–
(1,293)

Year ended December 31, 2015
All other
subsidiaries and
eliminations

Elimination
entries

PNA
Holding Co.

$

–
3
8
322
–
333

–
502
10,779
11,281
(10,948)
–
–
(10,948)
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
(244)
(244)

–
–
–
–
504
–
–
–
–
463
–
–
967

$

–
1,458,613
7,245
125,123
11,001
1,601,982

107,583
7,593
15,737
130,913
1,471,069
217,423
24,020
1,229,626
160,108
238,566
81,802
141

(14,445)
(4,536)

542
(18,628)
20,062
45,173
508,785

428,407
83,297
57,870
40,619
297,392
24,627
50,208
27,626
85,568
166,289
11,019
18,412
1,291,334

$

(41,350)
(583)
(50)
–
–
(41,983)

(50)
(583)
–
(633)
(41,350)
–
–
(41,350)
–
(2,476)
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
(47)
(2,523)

–
–
–
–
(295)
–
–
–
–
(2,492)
–
–
(2,787)

Popular, Inc.
Consolidated

$

–
1,458,706
7,243
126,064
11,001
1,603,014

107,533
7,512
78,986
194,031
1,408,983
217,458
24,020
1,167,505
160,108
236,090
81,802
141

(14,445)
(4,723)

542
(18,628)
20,062
58,592
519,541

477,519
86,888
60,110
39,797
308,985
25,146
52,076
27,626
85,568
95,075
11,019
18,412
1,288,221

Income (loss) before income tax and equity in earnings of

subsidiaries

Income tax (benefit) expense
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
Income from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
Equity in undistributed earnings of discontinued operations
Net Income

Comprehensive income, net of tax

4,993
(186)
5,179
888,818
893,997
–
1,347
$895,344

$868,330

(12,159)
305
(12,464)
638,341
$625,877
–
1,347
$627,224

$623,433

447,077
(495,394)
942,471
–
942,471
1,347
–
$ 943,818

(41,086)
103
(41,189)
(1,527,159)
(1,568,348)
–
(2,694)
$(1,571,042)

398,825
(495,172)
893,997
–
893,997
1,347
–
$ 895,344

$ 916,942

$(1,540,375)

$ 868,330

212 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of dividends or distributions
Provision for loan losses
Amortization of intangibles
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
Net accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums and deferred fees
Impairment losses on long-lived assets
Other-than-temporary impairment on investment securities
Fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing rights
FDIC loss-share expense
Adjustments to indemnity reserves on loans sold
Earnings from investments under the equity method
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
(Gain) loss on:

Disposition of premises and equipment and other productive assets
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities
Sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held for sale and mortgage banking

activities

Sale of foreclosed assets, including write-downs

Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale
Net originations on loans held-for-sale
Net (increase) decrease in:

Trading securities
Accrued income receivable
Other assets

Net increase(decrease) in:

Interest payable
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligations
Other liabilities

Total adjustments
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:

Net decrease (increase) in money market investments
Purchases of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Other

Proceeds from calls, paydowns, maturities and redemptions of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Held-to-maturity

Proceeds from sale of investment securities:

Available for sale
Other

Net repayments (disbursements) on loans
Proceeds from sale of loans
Acquisition of loan portfolios
Acquisition of trademark
Net payments from FDIC under loss-sharing agreements
Return of capital from equity method investments
Capital contribution to subsidiary
Return of capital from wholly-owned subsidiaries
Acquisition of premises and equipment
Proceeds from sale of:

Premises and equipment and other productive assets
Foreclosed assets

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:

Net increase (decrease) in:

Deposits
Assets sold under agreements to repurchase
Other short-term borrowings

Payments of notes payable
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Dividends paid to parent company
Dividends paid
Net payments for repurchase of common stock
Return of capital to parent company
Capital contribution from parent
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
Cash and due from banks at end of period

Popular, Inc.
Holding Co.

PNA
Holding Co.

Elimination
entries

Popular, Inc.
Consolidated

Year ended December 31, 2017
All other
subsidiaries
and eliminations

$ 107,681

$(154,658)

$

139,570

$ 15,088

$

107,681

69,070
403
–
649
2,086
–
–
–
–
–
(11,761)
–

(8)
–

–
42
–
–
–

(1,345)
(748)
12,256

–
–
3,230
73,874
181,555

153,944
–
–
–
27
–
–
–
–
–
(921)
(8,382)

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
26
–

–
–
(758)
143,936
(10,722)

–
325,021
9,378
47,715
(24,423)
4,784
8,299
36,519
10,066
22,377
(21,401)
215,864

4,289
(334)

(16,670)
21,673
(244,385)
69,464
(315,522)

502,994
(75,201)
(64,886)

2,670
(13,100)
25,466
530,657
670,227

(223,014)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(54)

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

(31)
121
2,122

(121)
–
341
(220,636)
(205,548)

–
325,424
9,378
48,364
(22,310)
4,784
8,299
36,519
10,066
22,377
(34,083)
207,428

4,281
(334)

(16,670)
21,715
(244,385)
69,464
(315,522)

501,618
(75,802)
(50,508)

2,549
(13,100)
28,279
527,831
635,512

5,890

10,455

(2,362,992)

(18,255)

(2,364,902)

–
–

–
–

–
–
181
–
(31,909)
(5,560)
–
500
(5,955)
22,400
(965)

23
38
(15,357)

–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
138
–
10,400
–

–
–
20,993

–
–
–
–
–
7,016
–
(95,910)
(75,668)
–
–
(1,756)
(166,318)
(120)
47,783
$ 47,663

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(10,400)
–
–
(10,400)
(129)
591
462

$

(4,139,762)
(29,672)

2,023,295
6,232

14,992
30,265
(398,857)
38,279
(541,489)
5,560
(7,679)
8,056
5,955
–
(61,732)

9,730
96,502
(5,303,317)

4,935,948
(88,505)
95,008
(95,607)
55,000
–
(211,500)
–
–
(22,400)
5,955
–
4,673,899
40,809
362,101
402,910

$

–
–

–
–

(4,139,762)
(29,672)

2,023,295
6,232

–
–
–
(37,864)
37,864
–
–
–
–
(32,800)
–

–
–
(51,055)

18,157
–
–
–
–
–
211,500
–
4
32,800
(5,955)
–
256,506
(97)
(48,081)
$ (48,178)

14,992
30,265
(398,676)
415
(535,534)
–
(7,679)
8,694
–
–
(62,697)

9,753
96,540
(5,348,736)

4,954,105
(88,505)
95,008
(95,607)
55,000
7,016
–
(95,910)
(75,664)
–
–
(1,756)
4,753,687
40,463
362,394
402,857

$

During the year ended December 31, 2017 there have not been any cash flows associated with discontinued operations.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 213

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of dividends or distributions
Provision (reversal) for loan losses
Goodwill impairment losses
Amortization of intangibles
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
Net accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums and deferred fees
Other-than-temporary impairment on investment securities
Fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing rights
FDIC loss-share expense
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold
(Earnings) losses from investments under the equity method
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
(Gain) loss on:

Disposition of premises and equipment and other productive assets
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities
Sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held for sale and mortgage banking activities
Sale of foreclosed assets, including write-downs

Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale
Net originations on loans held-for-sale
Net (increase) decrease in:

Trading securities
Accrued income receivable
Other assets

Net increase (decrease) in:

Interest payable
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligations
Other liabilities

Total adjustments
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:

Net decrease (increase) in money market investments
Purchases of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Other

Proceeds from calls, paydowns, maturities and redemptions of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Held-to-maturity
Other

Proceeds from sale of investment securities:

Available for sale
Other

Net repayments (disbursements) on loans
Proceeds from sale of loans
Acquisition of loan portfolios
Net payments from FDIC under loss-sharing agreements
Return of capital from equity method investments
Return of capital from wholly-owned subsidiaries
Acquisition of premises and equipment
Proceeds from sale of:

Premises and equipment and other productive assets
Foreclosed assets

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:

Net increase (decrease) in:

Deposits
Assets sold under agreements to repurchase

Payments of notes payable
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Dividends paid to parent company
Dividends paid
Net payments for repurchase of common stock
Return of capital to parent company
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
Cash and due from banks at end of period

Popular, Inc.
Holding Co.

PNA
Holding Co.

Year ended December 31, 2016
All other
subsidiaries
and eliminations

Elimination
entries

Popular, Inc.
Consolidated

$ 216,691

$ 34,202

$

257,167

$(291,369)

$

216,691

(146,287)
(35)
–
–
654
2,087
–
–
–
–
(12,352)
19

(2)
(1,767)
–
52
–
–
–

(620)
(27)
3,796

–
–
(3,854)
(158,336)
58,355

(42,709)
–
–
–
–
28
–
–
–
–
2,559
(4,581)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(23)
(3)

–
–
(624)
(45,353)
(11,151)

–
170,051
3,801
12,144
46,220
(42,901)
209
25,336
207,779
17,285
(21,495)
66,154

4,096
(195)
(35,517)
19,305
(310,217)
89,887
(510,783)

754,326
(13,812)
(27,125)

219
(55,678)
(11,781)
387,308
644,475

188,996
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(18)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

133
54
(2,972)

(54)
–
3,018
189,157
(102,212)

–
170,016
3,801
12,144
46,874
(40,786)
209
25,336
207,779
17,285
(31,288)
61,574

4,094
(1,962)
(35,517)
19,357
(310,217)
89,887
(510,783)

753,839
(13,808)
(26,304)

165
(55,678)
(13,241)
372,776
589,467

9,857

10,668

(711,782)

(18,868)

(710,125)

–
–

–
–
–

278
1,583
35
–
–
–
433
14,000
(953)

56
434
25,723

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
474
–
–

(3,407,779)
(14,130)

1,227,966
4,588
11,122

4,981
7,438
(267,240)
141,363
(535,445)
98,518
–
–
(99,367)

–
–
11,142

8,841
82,923
(3,448,003)

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(14,000)
–

–
–
(32,868)

(3,407,779)
(14,130)

1,227,966
4,588
11,122

5,259
9,021
(267,205)
141,363
(535,445)
98,518
907
–
(100,320)

8,897
83,357
(3,444,006)

–
–
–
–
7,437
–
(65,932)
(475)
–
(1,623)
(60,593)
23,485
24,298
$ 47,783

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(9)
600
591

$

3,290,797
(282,719)
(254,816)
165,047
–
(102,300)
–
–
(14,000)
–
2,802,009
(1,519)
363,620
362,101

$

(4,369)
–
–
–
–
102,300
–
(88)
14,000
–
111,843
(23,237)
(24,844)
$ (48,081)

3,286,428
(282,719)
(254,816)
165,047
7,437
–
(65,932)
(563)
–
(1,623)
2,853,259
(1,280)
363,674
362,394

$

The Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities associated
with discontinued operations.

214 POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings losses of subsidiaries, net of dividends or distributions
Provision for loan losses
Amortization of intangibles
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
Net accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums and deferred fees
Other-than-temporary impairment on investment securities
Fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing rights
FDIC loss share income
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold
(Earnings) losses from investments under the equity method
Deferred income tax benefit
(Gain) loss on:

Disposition of premises and equipment and other productive assets
Sale and valuation adjustments of investment securities
Sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held for sale and mortgage banking

activities

Sale of foreclosed assets, including write-downs

Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale
Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale
Net originations on loans held-for-sale
Net (increase) decrease in:

Trading securities
Accrued income receivable
Other assets

Net (decrease) increase in:

Interest payable
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligations
Other liabilities

Total adjustments
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:

Net increase in money market investments
Purchases of investment securities:

Proceeds from calls, paydowns, maturities and redemptions of investment securities:

Available-for-sale
Held-to-maturity
Other

Available-for-sale
Held-to-maturity
Other

Available for sale
Other

Proceeds from sale of investment securities:

Net repayments on loans
Proceeds from sale of loans
Acquisition of loan portfolios
Acquisition of trademark
Net payments from FDIC under loss-sharing agreements
Net cash received and acquired from business combination
Acquisition of servicing assets
Cash paid related to business acquisitions
Return of capital from equity method investments
Return of capital from wholly-owned subsidiaries
Mortgage servicing rights purchased
Acquisition of premises and equipment
Proceeds from sale of:

Premises and equipment and other productive assets
Foreclosed assets

Net cash provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:

Net increase (decrease) in:

Deposits
Assets sold under agreements to repurchase
Other short-term borrowings

Payments of notes payable
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Dividends paid to parent company
Dividends paid
Net payments for repurchase of common stock
Return of capital to parent company
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation

Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
Cash and due from banks at end of period

Popular, Inc.
Holding Co.

PNA
Holding Co.

Elimination
entries

Popular, Inc.
Consolidated

Year ended December 31, 2015
All other
subsidiaries
and eliminations

$ 895,344

$ 627,224

$

943,818

$(1,571,042)

$

895,344

(890,165)
35
–
761
2
–
–
–
–
(13,710)
(186)

(639,688)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
244
–

(2)
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

(380)
(10)
8,032

–
–
(5,622)
(901,245)
(5,901)

–
(3)
342

(26)
–
(187)
(639,318)
(12,094)

–
241,443
11,019
46,713
(73,498)
14,445
7,904
(20,062)
18,628
(10,907)
(519,045)

(3,627)
(141)

(35,013)
60,378
(401,991)
124,111
(792,821)

1,084,063
5,395
92,032

564
3,252
(67,180)
(214,338)
729,480

1,529,853
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
103

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
241,478
11,019
47,474
(73,496)
14,445
7,904
(20,062)
18,628
(24,373)
(519,128)

(3,629)
(141)

(35,013)
60,378
(401,991)
124,111
(792,821)

–
10
(273)

1,083,683
5,392
100,133

(10)
–
9
1,529,692
(41,350)

528
3,252
(72,980)
(225,209)
670,135

(242,457)

(23,574)

(376,248)

284,573

(357,706)

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
53,793
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11,500
203,000
–
(1,079)

9
–
24,766

–
–
–
–
–
6,226
–
(19,257)
(1,021)
–
(963)
(15,015)
3,850
20,448
$ 24,298

–
–
–

–
–
–

(2,014,315)
(750)
(40,847)

1,362,712
4,856
46,341

–
–
–

–
–
–

(2,014,315)
(750)
(40,847)

1,362,712
4,856
46,341

–
–
350
–
(350)
–
–
–
–
–
1,829
200,000
–
–

–
–
178,255

–
–
–
(8,169)
–
–
–
–
–
(158,000)
–
(166,169)
(8)
608
600

$

96,760
14,950
431,302
30,160
(338,097)
(50)
247,976
731,279
(61,304)
(17,250)
–
–
(2,400)
(61,577)

12,871
141,145
207,514

495,904
(509,512)
(201,984)
(729,720)
277,398
–
(41,350)
–
–
(245,000)
–
(954,264)
(17,270)
380,890
363,620

$

–
–
(53,769)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(403,000)
–
–

–
–
(172,196)

(288,566)
–
53,769
–
–
–
41,350
–
–
403,000
–
209,553
(3,993)
(20,851)
(24,844)

96,760
14,950
431,676
30,160
(338,447)
(50)
247,976
731,279
(61,304)
(17,250)
13,329
–
(2,400)
(62,656)

12,880
141,145
238,339

207,338
(509,512)
(148,215)
(737,889)
277,398
6,226
–
(19,257)
(1,021)
–
(963)
(925,895)
(17,421)
381,095
363,674

$

$

The Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities associated
with discontinued operations.

POPULAR, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 215

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

P.O. BOX 362708 SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00936-2708