Chicago, IL –March 8, 2006–

Banco Popular North America (BPNA), one of the nation’s premier community banks and a leading Small Business Administration (SBA) lender, today announced the launch of Popular Small Business Capital (PSBC.) This launch is in direct response to BPNA’s expanding customer base and its ongoing efforts to serve the small business community.  As a SBA Preferred Lender, Banco Popular North America’s new division offers small business financing options to borrowers nationwide.

“We have been dedicated to the small business community for more than 112 years, and enabling the dreams of these powerful growth catalysts in the U.S. for 45 years,” said Roberto R. Herencia, President, Banco Popular North America.  “The formation of this new division will further complement and help strengthen our leadership efforts in the SBA marketplace.  This significant milestone will contribute tremendously to our goal of becoming one of the top three SBA lenders.”

Banco Popular North America has participated in SBA Lending for 45 years.  Through Popular Small Business Capital, the Bank has enhanced its focus on small business lending through the SBA’s various loan programs.  PSBC and its dedicated senior management team have created a national network outside of BPNA’s footprint currently spanning Southern California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Illinois and Texas.

According to the SBA, there are more than 25 million small business owners nationwide.  PSBC supports small business efforts by offering an array of customized solutions including credit products, business acquisition financing, refinance solutions, commercial real estate financing, along with franchise and equipment financing that range from $150,000 to $10,000,000.

“Under Popular Small Business Capital, we offer dedicated and tenured officers who work closely and expeditiously with customers, providing them with real-time guidance, breadth and accessibility to capital, and commitment to service excellence,” said Richard E. Stiles, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking for Banco Popular North America.  “The new division has created a national platform for our services and further enhances our small business offerings.”

Leading Popular Small Business Capital and reporting to Richard Stiles, is Christopher Kwiatkowski, Senior Vice President, Manager SBA Division.  Reporting to Kwiatkowski are Maureen Britz, Senior Vice President and National Operations Manager; and Matthew Putnam, Senior Vice President and National Sales and Marketing Manager. Together they have more than 50 years of servicing the small business community and working with referral partners.

In addition to 45 dedicated business development officers, Popular Small Business Capital is regionally lead by Brenda Bowers, Southeast Regional Sales Manager; Gloria Miller, Western Region Sales Manager; John Gannon, Mid-America Regional Sales Manager; Don DiMartini, Northeast Regional Sales Manager; and Eva Aquino, Illinois Sales Team Leader, all of whom have more than 15 years of experience individually.

Christopher Kwiatkowski added, “Popular Small Business Capital is a different solution, offering the powerful combination of deep expertise coupled with access to revenue-enabling products.  We are thrilled to extend our legacy, partnership, and strong brand recognition nationwide.”

The Bank’s commitment and dedication has received numerous awards and recognitions from the SBA.  Recent highlights from 2005 include:

• Banco Popular’s SBA Lending has more than doubled its presence, increasing from 16 states in 2004 to 30 states in 2005.
• In 2005, the North Florida SBA District Office recognized the Bank as the top lender in the district with $29,499,200 in dollar volume.
• Based upon consolidated rankings from the North and South Florida District Offices of the SBA, Banco Popular North America was the third largest lender in number of loans and fourth in dollar volume with a total of 222 loans totaling $65,394,100 in the State of Florida.
• The South Florida SBA District Office awarded Banco Popular North America with the Gold Award for SBA loan production results in 2005.
• Banco Popular North America was awarded a Silver District Award for Loan Volume in 2005 by the New York SBA District Office.

Popular Small Business Capital is based in the Banco Popular Chicago headquarters.  As a SBA Preferred Lender, the division’s services and products are available in 61 Districts and 30 states, nationwide.

About Popular Small Business Capital

Popular Small Business Capital (PSBC) utilizes a custom-tailored approach for each and every small business client, offering SBA 7(a) loans, SBA 504 loans, SBA Express loans, credit products, business acquisition financing, refinance solutions, commercial real estate financing and franchise and equipment financing, ranging from $150,000 - $10,000,000.  As a designated SBA Preferred Lender, PSBC is active in 61 districts.  For more information about Popular Small Business Capital, please contact 1-800-250-6968 or visit www.popularsmallbiz.com

About Banco Popular
Banco Popular North America is a subsidiary of Popular, Inc., with more than $44 billion in assets and is ranked among the country’s 30 largest bank holding companies. BPNA operates 137 branches in California, Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Florida, as well as 114 financial services stores under the name of Popular Cash Express. Popular Inc. was named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2005 by FORTUNE Magazine and ranks among the top 10 Small Business Administration lenders in the country. Banco Popular was founded 111 years ago in Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.bancopopular.com

Media Contact
Juan Carlos Cruz
VP, Public Relations and Communications
(847)994-6442
JCCruz@bpop.com