BANPONCE CORP
424B2, 1994-06-17
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
                                               Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
                                               Registration Number 033-57038
 
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 3, 1993)
 
                                3,600,000 SHARES
 
                                   BANPONCE
                                 CORPORATION

       8.35% NON-CUMULATIVE MONTHLY INCOME PREFERRED STOCK, 1994 SERIES A
                     (LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $25 PER SHARE)
                            ------------------------
 
This Prospectus Supplement relates to the issuance by BanPonce Corporation (the
"Corporation"), a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956 and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
of its 8.35% Non-Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 1994 Series A (the
"Series A Preferred Stock").
 
The Series A Preferred Stock will entitle the holders thereof to receive, when,
as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, out of funds
legally available therefor, cash dividends at the annual rate per share of 8.35%
of the liquidation preference of $25 per share, or $0.173958 per share per
month, accruing from the date of original issuance and payable monthly in
arrears in United States dollars commencing on July 31, 1994, and on the last
day of each calendar month thereafter.
 
Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are non-cumulative. To the extent that
funds are not legally available for the payment of such dividends for any
monthly dividend period or that such dividends are not declared with respect to
any monthly dividend period, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
shall have no right to receive a dividend in respect of such monthly dividend
period. The Corporation may not pay dividends on or acquire shares of common
stock of the Corporation or other class of stock of the Corporation ranking
junior to the Series A Preferred Stock unless all accrued and unpaid dividends
on the Series A Preferred Stock for the twelve monthly dividend periods ending
on the immediately preceding dividend payment date shall have been paid or are
paid contemporaneously and the full monthly dividend on the Series A Preferred
Stock for the then current month has been or is contemporaneously declared and
paid or declared and set apart for payment. See "Summary of Certain Terms of the
Series A Preferred Stock -- Dividends."
 
The Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable on and after June 30, 1998, at the
option of the Corporation, in whole or in part from time to time, at the
redemption prices set forth herein plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the
then current monthly dividend period to the date fixed for redemption. Under
current regulations, the Corporation is not permitted to exercise any option to
redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock without the prior approval of the
Federal Reserve Board. See "Summary of Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred
Stock -- Redemption."
 
The Series A Preferred Stock will not be convertible into or exchangeable for
any other securities of the Corporation. Holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock will have no right to require the Corporation to redeem or repurchase any
such shares, and such shares are not subject to any sinking fund or similar
obligation.
 
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation,
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a
liquidation preference of $25 for each share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends
for the then current monthly dividend period to the date of payment. See
"Summary of Certain Terms of the Series A Preferred Stock -- Liquidation
Preference."
 
The Corporation has filed an application to have the Series A Preferred Stock
designated for trading through the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System (NASDAQ).
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, SUCH OFFICE, OR ANY STATE
    SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
     PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS OR ANY SUPPLEMENT HERETO. ANY
     REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        PRICE TO        UNDERWRITING      PROCEEDS TO
                                                      PUBLIC(1)(4)    COMMISSION(2)(4) CORPORATION(1)(3)(4)
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>               <C>
Per Share of Series A Preferred Stock..............       $25.00          $0.7875           $24.2125
Total..............................................    $90,000,000       $2,835,000       $87,165,000
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
(1) Plus accrued dividends, if any, from date of issue.
(2) The Corporation has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
    civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933,
    as amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Corporation estimated to be
    $150,000.
(4) The Corporation has granted to the Underwriter a 30-day option to purchase
    up to 400,000 additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock on the same
    terms to cover over-allotments, if any. If all such additional shares are
    purchased, the total Price to Public will be $100,000,000, the total
    Underwriting Commission will be $3,150,000 and the total Proceeds to
    Corporation will be $96,850,000. See "Underwriting."
                            ------------------------
 
The Series A Preferred Stock is offered by the Underwriter when, as and if
delivered and accepted by the Underwriter, subject to its right to reject
       orders in whole or in part and subject to certain other
       conditions. It is expected that the delivery of the Series A
           Preferred Stock will be made on or about June 27, 1994.

                            ------------------------
                     PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED OF PUERTO RICO
                            ------------------------
 
            THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS JUNE 17, 1994
<PAGE>   2
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITER MAY OVERALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SERIES A
PREFERRED STOCK OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE
PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED IN THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
                             ---------------------
 
     THE SECURITIES WILL NOT BE DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND WILL
NOT BE INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE BANK INSURANCE
FUND, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
                             ---------------------
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
     The Corporation is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956 and incorporated in 1984 under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico. The Corporation is the largest financial institution in Puerto
Rico, with consolidated assets of $12.0 billion, total deposits of $8.8 billion
and stockholders' equity of $858.5 million as of March 31, 1994. The
Corporation's principal subsidiary, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico ("Banco
Popular"), is Puerto Rico's largest bank with total assets of $11.1 billion,
deposits of $8.5 billion and stockholders' equity of $785.1 million as of March
31, 1994. The Corporation has two other principal subsidiaries: Vehicle
Equipment Leasing Company, Inc. and Popular International Bank, Inc. ("PIB").
PIB's principal subsidiaries are BanPonce Financial Corp., Spring Financial
Services, Inc. and Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. (the holding company of an Illinois
bank that was acquired on March 31, 1994). See "BanPonce Corporation" in the
accompanying Prospectus dated May 3, 1993 (the "Prospectus"). The Corporation's
principal executive offices are located at 209 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey,
Puerto Rico 00918 and its telephone number is (809) 765-9800.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     The Corporation intends to file in the near future a registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that will permit it and certain of
its subsidiaries to sell from time to time debt and preferred stock having an
aggregate initial offering price of $500,000,000 or, in the case of debt
securities, the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies, including
composite currencies.
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   3
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following table sets forth certain selected financial data for each of
the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1993, and for the three
months ended March 31, 1994 and 1993. This financial data is derived from,
should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, the more
detailed information contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Corporation and Notes thereto included in the Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, and the Corporation's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1994, each of which has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement is a part. The
consolidated financial data for the three months ended March 31, 1994 and 1993
is unaudited. The results for the three months ended March 31, 1994, are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or
any other interim period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       AS OF, OR FOR THE
                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED,                             AS OF, OR FOR THE
                                          MARCH 31,*                               YEAR ENDED, DECEMBER 31,
                                   -------------------------   ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1994          1993          1993          1992          1991         1990         1989
                                   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Interest Income..................  $   198,981   $   184,427   $   772,136   $   740,354   $  794,943   $  565,807   $  558,273
Interest Expense.................       73,628        66,666       280,008       300,135      387,134      281,561      302,747
Net Interest Income..............      125,353       117,761       492,128       440,219      407,809      284,246      255,526
Provision for Loan Losses........       13,663        21,547        72,892        97,633      121,681       53,033       42,603
Fees and other Income............       33,554        28,679       125,180       124,504      131,774       70,956       62,079
Operating Expenses...............      106,577       102,854       412,276       366,945      345,738      229,563      207,376
Net Income.......................       28,729        25,520       109,404        85,116       64,564       63,366       56,170
Dividends Declared (per share)...         0.25          0.20          0.90          0.80         0.80         0.80         0.80
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total Assets.....................  $12,030,527   $10,210,087   $11,513,368   $10,002,327   $8,780,282   $8,983,624   $5,923,261
Earning Assets...................   11,160,889     9,386,880    10,657,994     9,236,024    8,032,556    8,219,279    5,469,921
Net Loans........................    6,815,396     5,357,039     6,346,922     5,252,053    5,195,557    5,365,917    3,276,389
Deposits.........................    8,821,174     7,951,608     8,522,658     8,038,711    7,207,118    7,422,711    4,926,304
Total Capital....................      858,547       771,575       834,195       752,119      631,818      588,884      375,807
SELECTED RATIOS
Net Interest Margin (taxable
  equivalent basis)..............        5.07%         5.62%         5.50%         6.11%        5.97%        6.30%        5.57%
Return on Assets.................        1.00%         1.03%         1.02%         0.89%        0.72%        1.09%        0.99%
Return on Equity.................       13.78%        13.60%        13.80%        12.72%       10.57%       15.55%       15.87%
Total Capital to Risk Weighted
  Assets.........................       13.35%        14.90%        13.95%        14.85%       13.35%       12.74%       11.76%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* Unaudited
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   4
 
                CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                         AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       THREE MONTHS         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           ENDED        --------------------------------
                                                      MARCH 31, 1994    1993   1992   1991   1990   1989
                                                      ---------------   ----   ----   ----   ----   ----
<S>                                                   <C>               <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
                                                        (UNAUDITED)
Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
  Excluding Interest on Deposits....................        2.8         3.0    2.9    2.0    3.6    2.4
  Including Interest on Deposits....................        1.5         1.5    1.3    1.2    1.3    1.2
</TABLE>
 
     For purposes of computing these consolidated ratios, earnings represent
income (loss) before income taxes, the cumulative effects of changes in
accounting principles and equity in undistributed income of unconsolidated
subsidiaries and affiliates, plus fixed charges excluding capitalized interest.
Fixed charges represent all interest expense (ratios are presented both
excluding and including interest on deposits), the portion of net rental expense
which is deemed representative of the interest factor, the amortization of debt
issuance expense and capitalized interest.
 
            SUMMARY OF CERTAIN TERMS OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The following summary of the particular terms of the Series A Preferred
Stock supplements and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, replaces the
description of the terms of the Corporation's Preferred Stock set forth under
the heading "Description of Preferred Stock of the Corporation" in the
accompanying Prospectus, to which reference is hereby made. The Series A
Preferred Stock is a series of the Preferred Stock of the Corporation covered by
and described in the Prospectus. The following description does not purport to
be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to
Article Fifth of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and to the
Certificate of Resolution of the Series A Preferred Stock, copies of which are
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus as exhibits to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
GENERAL
 
     Under the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Board of
Directors of the Corporation is authorized to provide for the issuance of up to
10,000,000 shares of preferred stock (of which 350,000 shares have been
authorized and designated but not issued in connection with the Corporation's
shareholders rights plan), in one or more series, with such designations of
titles, dividend rights, redemption or purchase account provisions, conversion
provisions and voting rights as shall be set forth in resolutions providing for
the issuance thereof adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     Holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to
receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation,
out of funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, non-cumulative cash
dividends at the annual rate per share of 8.35% of the liquidation preference of
$25 per share, or $0.173958 per share per month, with each aggregate payment
made to each record holder of the Series A Preferred Stock being rounded to the
next lowest cent.
 
     Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accrue from their date of
original issuance and will be payable (when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation out of funds of the Corporation legally available
therefor) monthly in arrears in United States dollars commencing on July 31,
1994, and on the last day of each calendar month of each year thereafter to the
holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock as they appear on the books of
the Corporation on the second Business Day (as defined below) immediately
preceding the relevant date of payment. In the case of the dividend payable on
July 31, 1994, such dividend shall cover the period from the date of issuance of
the Series A Preferred Stock to July 31, 1994. In the event that any date on
which dividends are payable is not a Business Day, then payment of the
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   5
 
dividend payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding Business Day
without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay, except that,
if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment will
be made on the Business Day immediately preceding the relevant date of payment,
in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. A "Business
Day" is a day other than a day on which banking institutions in San Juan, Puerto
Rico or New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.
 
     Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will be non-cumulative. The
Corporation is not obligated or required to declare or pay dividends on the
Series A Preferred Stock, even if it has funds available for the payment of such
dividends. If the Board of Directors of the Corporation or an authorized
committee thereof does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date
in respect of the Series A Preferred Stock, then the holders of such Series A
Preferred Stock shall have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the
monthly dividend period ending on such dividend payment date and the Corporation
will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such monthly dividend
period or to pay any interest thereon, whether or not dividends on such Series A
Preferred Stock are declared for any future monthly dividend period.
 
     The amount of dividends payable for any monthly dividend period will be
computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of
dividends payable for any period shorter than a full monthly dividend period
will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such
period.
 
     Subject to any applicable fiscal or other laws and regulations, each
dividend payment will be made by dollar check drawn on a bank in New York, New
York or San Juan, Puerto Rico and mailed to the record holder thereof at such
holder's address as it appears on the register for such Series A Preferred
Stock.
 
     So long as any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding,
the Corporation shall not declare, set apart or pay any dividend or make any
other distribution of assets (other than dividends paid or other distributions
made in stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock
as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation) on, or redeem,
purchase, set apart or otherwise acquire (except upon conversion or exchange for
stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to
the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation), shares of common stock or of any
other class of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series A Preferred
Stock as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, unless (i) all
accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for the twelve
monthly dividend periods ending on the immediately preceding dividend payment
date shall have been paid or are paid contemporaneously and the full monthly
dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock for the then current month has been or
is contemporaneously declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment and
(ii) the Corporation has not defaulted in the payment of the redemption price of
any shares of Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption. See "Redemption at
the Option of the Corporation."
 
     When dividends are not paid in full on the Series A Preferred Stock and on
any other shares of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity as to the
payment of dividends with the Series A Preferred Stock, all dividends declared
upon the Series A Preferred Stock and any such other shares of stock of the
Corporation will be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared
per share on the Series A Preferred Stock and any such other shares of stock
will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation
preference per share of the Series A Preferred Stock and any such other shares
of stock bear to each other.
 
     The principal source of cash flow for the Corporation is dividends from its
subsidiary Banco Popular. Various statutory provisions limit the amount of
dividends Banco Popular can pay to the Corporation without regulatory approval.
See "Certain Regulatory Matters -- Dividend Restrictions" in the accompanying
Prospectus. In addition, the Corporation could enter into agreements that
restrict the Corporation's ability to declare and pay dividends on the Series A
Preferred Stock. See "Description of Preferred Stock of the
Corporation -- Dividends" in the accompanying Prospectus for a discussion of
certain other terms of the Series A Preferred Stock relating to the payment of
dividends.
 
     Under the Federal Reserve Board's risk-based capital guidelines for bank
holding companies and member banks, Banco Popular was well capitalized at March
31, 1994, and at such date Banco Popular could have
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   6
 
declared a dividend of approximately $128.6 million without having to obtain
regulatory approval. See "Certain Regulatory Matters -- FDICIA" in the
accompanying Prospectus.
 
CONVERSION; EXCHANGE
 
     The Series A Preferred Stock will not be convertible into or exchangeable
for any other securities of the Corporation.
 
REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE CORPORATION
 
     The shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are not redeemable prior to June
30, 1998. On and after that date, the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock
will be redeemable in whole or in part from time to time at the option of the
Corporation, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice by mail, at the
redemption prices set forth below, during the twelve-month periods beginning on
June 30 of the years set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the
then current monthly dividend period to the date fixed for redemption.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR
- -----
<S>                                             <C>
1998........................................    $26.25
1999........................................     26.00
2000........................................     25.75
2001........................................     25.50
2002 and thereafter.........................     25.00
</TABLE>
 
     In the event that less than all of the outstanding shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock are to be redeemed in any redemption at the option of the
Corporation, the total number of shares to be redeemed in such redemption shall
be determined by the Board of Directors and the shares to be redeemed shall be
allocated pro rata or by lot as may be determined by the Board of Directors or
by such other method as the Board of Directors may approve and deem equitable,
including any method to conform to any rule or regulation of any national or
regional stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the shares of
the Series A Preferred Stock may at the time be listed or eligible for
quotation.
 
     Notice of any proposed redemption shall be given by the Corporation by
mailing a copy of such notice to the holders of record of the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock to be redeemed, at their address of record, not more than sixty
nor less than thirty days prior to the redemption date. The notice of redemption
to each holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall specify the number of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed, the redemption date and the
redemption price payable to such holder upon redemption, and shall state that
from and after said date dividends thereon will cease to accrue. If less than
all the shares owned by a holder are then to be redeemed at the option of the
Corporation, the notice shall also specify the number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock which are to be redeemed and the numbers of the certificates
representing such shares. Any notice which is mailed as herein provided shall be
conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the stockholder
receives such notice, and failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any
defect in such notice, to the holders of any shares designated for redemption
shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other
shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
 
     Notice having been mailed as aforesaid, from and after the redemption date
(unless default be made in the payment of the redemption price for any shares to
be redeemed), all dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock called for
redemption shall cease to accrue and all rights of the holders of such shares as
stockholders of the Corporation by reason of the ownership of such shares
(except the right to receive the redemption price, on presentation and surrender
of the respective certificates representing the redeemed shares) shall cease on
the redemption date, and such shares shall not after the redemption date be
deemed to be outstanding. In case less than all the shares represented by any
such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued without cost to
the holder thereof representing the unredeemed shares.
 
     At its option, the Corporation may, on or prior to the redemption date,
irrevocably deposit the aggregate amount payable upon redemption of the shares
of the Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed with a bank or trust company
designated by the Corporation having its principal office in New York, New York,
San Juan,
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   7
 
Puerto Rico, or any other city in which the Corporation shall at that time
maintain a transfer agent with respect to its capital stock, and having a
combined capital surplus (as shown by its latest published statement) of at
least $50,000,000 (hereinafter referred to as the "Depositary"), to be held in
trust by the Depositary for payment to the holders of the shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock to be redeemed. If such deposit is made and the funds so
deposited are made immediately available to the holders of the shares of the
Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed, the Corporaiton shall thereupon be
released and discharged (subject to the provisions described in the next
paragraph) from any obligation to make payment of the amount payable upon
redemption of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed, and the
holders of such shares shall look only to the Depositary for such payment.
 
     Any funds remaining unclaimed at the end of two years from and after the
redemption date in respect of which such funds were deposited shall be returned
to the Corporation forthwith and thereafter the holders of shares of the Series
A Preferred Stock called for redemption with respect to which such funds were
deposited shall look only to the Corporation for the payment of the redemption
price thereof. Any interest accrued on any funds deposited with the Depositary
shall belong to the Corporation and shall be paid to it from time to time on
demand.
 
     Any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock which shall at any time have
been redeemed shall, after such redemption, have the status of authorized but
unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series, until such
shares are once more designated as part of a particular series by the Board of
Directors.
 
     See "Description of Preferred Stock of the Corporation -- Redemption" in
the accompanying Prospectus for certain additional provisions and a discussion
of certain regulatory restrictions and other issues relating to the redemption
of the Series A Preferred Stock.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
     Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up
of the Corporation, the then record holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available
for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution is made to holders of
common stock or any other equity securities of the Corporation ranking junior
upon liquidation to the Series A Preferred Stock, distributions upon liquidation
in the amount of $25 per share plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid
dividends for the current monthly dividend period to the date of payment.
 
     If upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to the Series A Preferred
Stock and any other shares of stock of the Corporation ranking as to any such
distribution on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock are not paid in full,
the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and of such other shares will share
ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Corporation in proportion to
the full liquidation preferences to which each is entitled. After payment of the
full amount of the liquidation preference to which they are entitled, the
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any
further participation in any distribution of assets of the Corporation.
 
     In the Corporation's Certificate of Resolution it is provided that neither
the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with any other corporation, nor
any sale, lease or conveyance of all or any part of the property or business of
the Corporation, shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up
of the Corporation.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Except as described below, or except as required by applicable law, holders
of the Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive notice of or
attend or vote at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation.
 
     If the Corporation does not pay dividends in full on the Series A Preferred
Stock for eighteen consecutive monthly dividend periods, the holders of
outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, together with the holders of
any other shares of stock of the Corporation having the right to vote for the
election of directors
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   8
 
solely in the event of any failure to pay dividends, acting as a single class
without regard to series, will be entitled, by written notice to the Corporation
given by the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of such shares or
by ordinary resolution passed by the holders of a majority in liquidation
preference of such shares present in person or by proxy at a separate general
meeting of such holders convened for the purpose, to appoint two additional
members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, to remove any such member
from office and to appoint another person in place of such member. Not later
than 30 days after such entitlement arises, if written notice by a majority of
the holders of such shares has not been given as provided for in the preceding
sentence, the Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof will convene
a separate general meeting for the above purpose. If the Board of Directors or
such authorized committee fails to convene such meeting within such 30-day
period, the holders of 10% of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock and any such other stock will be entitled to convene such meeting. The
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Corporation
relating to the convening and conduct of general meetings of stockholders will
apply with respect to any such separate general meeting. Any member of the Board
of Directors so appointed shall vacate office if, following the event which gave
rise to such appointment, the Corporation shall have resumed the payment of
dividends in full on the Series A Preferred Stock and each such other series of
stock for twelve consecutive monthly dividend periods. The Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation provides for a minimum of nine members of the
Board of Directors and a maximum of twenty-five members. As of the date of this
Prospectus Supplement, the Corporation's Board of Directors had nineteen
members.
 
     Any variation or abrogation of the rights, preferences and privileges of
the Series A Preferred Stock by way of amendment of the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise (including, without limitation, the
authorization or issuance of any shares of the Corporation ranking, as to
dividend rights or rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, senior to
the Series A Preferred Stock) shall not be effective (unless otherwise required
by applicable law) except with the consent in writing of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock or with the
sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting by the
holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may, without the
consent or sanction of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, authorize
and issue shares of the Corporation ranking, as to dividend rights and rights on
liquidation, winding up and dissolution, on a parity with or junior to the
Series A Preferred Stock.
 
     No vote of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be required for
the Corporation to redeem or purchase and cancel the Series A Preferred Stock in
accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or the
Certificate of Resolution for the Series A Preferred Stock.
 
     The Corporation will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote to be mailed to each record holder
of the Series A Preferred Stock. Each such notice will include a statement
setting forth (i) the date of such meeting, (ii) a description of any resolution
to be proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such holders are entitled
to vote and (iii) instructions for deliveries of proxies.
 
     See "Description of Preferred Stock of the Corporation -- Voting Rights" in
the accompanying Prospectus for a discussion of certain matters relating to
voting rights.
 
RANK
 
     The Series A Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and
rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, rank (i) senior to all
classes of common stock of the Corporation, to the Corporation's Series A
Participating Preferred Stock authorized in connection with the Corporation's
shareholder rights plan, and to all other equity securities issued by the
Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities
will rank junior to the Series A Preferred Stock (or to all series of the
Preferred Stock in general); (ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued
by the Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity
securities will rank on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock (or with all
series of the Preferred Stock in general); and (iii) junior to all equity
securities issued by the Corporation the terms of
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   9
 
which specifically provide that such equity securities will rank senior to the
Series A Preferred Stock (or to all series of the Preferred Stock in general).
For this purpose, the term "equity securities" does not include debt securities
convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities.
 
     The Corporation may not issue shares of the Corporation ranking, as to
dividend rights or rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, senior to
the Series A Preferred Stock except with the consent of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock. See
"Voting Rights" above.
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
     The Series A Preferred Stock may be issued in whole or in part in the form
of one or more global securities (the "Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depository Trust Company (the "Depository")
and registered in the name of a nominee of the Depository. Unless and until it
is exchanged in whole or in part for individual certificates representing shares
of Series A Preferred Stock, a Global Security may not be transferred except as
a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the
Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the
Depository or any nominee of the Depository to a successor depository or any
nominee of such successor.
 
     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer
system the respective number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented
by such Global Security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with
such Depository ("Participants"). Such accounts shall be designated by the
Underwriter. Owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security that are not
Participants or persons that may hold through Participants but desire to sell or
otherwise transfer ownership of such beneficial interests by book-entry on the
records of the Depository may do so only through Participants and persons that
may hold through Participants. Because the Depository can only act on behalf of
Participants and persons that may hold through Participants, the ability of an
owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security to pledge such beneficial
interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the book-entry and
transfer system of the Depository, or otherwise take actions in respect of such
beneficial interests, may be limited. The laws of some states require that
certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form. Such limitations on the ownership of beneficial interests in a
Global Security and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depository for a Global Security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Series A
Preferred Stock represented by such Global Security for all purposes.
 
     Payments of dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by
a Global Security registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee will
be made to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered
owner of the Global Security representing such Series A Preferred Stock. None of
the Corporation, any dividend disbursing agent or registrar for such Series A
Preferred Stock will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Security for such Series A Preferred Stock or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
 
     The Corporation expects that the Depository or its nominee, upon receipt of
any payment relating to shares of the Series A Preferred Stock in respect of a
Global Security representing any of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
immediately will credit Participants' accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in such Global Security
as shown on the records of such Depository or its nominee. The Corporation also
expects that payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in such
Global Security held through such Participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name."
Such payments will be the responsibility of such Participants and not of the
Corporation or the Depository. Owners of beneficial interests in Global
Securities may experience some delay in the receipt of dividend payments since
the Depository for such Global Securities will forward payments to
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   10
 
its Participants, which in turn will forward them to persons that hold
beneficial interests in such Global Securities through such Participants.
 
     If the Depository for the Series A Preferred Stock is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor
depository is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days, the Corporation
will issue individual share certificates of Series A Preferred Stock in exchange
for the Global Security representing such shares of Series A Preferred Stock. In
addition, the Corporation may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to
any limitations described in this Prospectus Supplement, determine not to have
any Series A Preferred Stock represented by one or more Global Securities and,
in such event, will issue individual share certificates of such Series A
Preferred Stock in exchange for the Global Security or Securities representing
such shares of Series A Preferred Stock. In either instance, the Corporation
will issue share certificates of Series A Preferred Stock in such names and
representing such number of shares as the Depository for such Global Securities
shall request.
 
TRANSFER AGENT; DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT; REGISTRAR
 
     Banco Popular will initially act as the transfer agent, dividend disbursing
agent and registrar for the Series A Preferred Stock. Banco Popular's principal
executive offices are located at 209 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
00918 and its telephone number is (809) 765-9800.
 
     The transfer of a share of Series A Preferred Stock may be registered upon
the surrender of the certificate evidencing the share of Series A Preferred
Stock to be transferred, together with the form of transfer endorsed on it duly
completed and executed, at the office of the transfer agent and registrar.
 
     Registration of transfers of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be
effected without charge by or on behalf of the Corporation, but upon payment (or
the giving of such indemnity as the transfer agent and registrar may require) in
respect of any tax or other governmental charges which may be imposed in
relation to it.
 
     The Corporation will not be required to register the transfer of a share of
Series A Preferred Stock after such share has been called for redemption.
 
REPLACEMENT OF LOST CERTIFICATES
 
     If any certificate for a share of Series A Preferred Stock is mutilated or
alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, a new certificate representing
the same share may be issued to the holder upon request subject to delivery of
the old certificate or, if alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed,
compliance with such conditions as to evidence, indemnity and the payment of
out-of-pocket expenses of the Corporation in connection with the request as the
Corporation may determine.
 
NO PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
 
     Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no preemptive rights to
purchase any securities of the Corporation.
 
NO REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDERS; MISCELLANEOUS
 
     Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no right to require the
Corporation to redeem or repurchase any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and
the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not subject to any sinking fund or
similar obligation. The Corporation may, at its option, purchase shares of the
Series A Preferred Stock from holders thereof from time to time, by tender, in
privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.
 
RATINGS
 
     The Series A Preferred Stock has been rated BBB- by Standard & Poor's
Corporation and Baa2 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. The ratings reflect only
the opinions of such rating agencies. Any explanation
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>   11
 
of the significance of the ratings must be obtained from the issuing rating
agencies. There is no assurance that the ratings will continue for any given
period of time or will not be revised downward or withdrawn entirely by such
rating agency. A downward revision or withdrawal of a rating could have an
adverse effect on the market price of the Series A Preferred Stock.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Series
A Preferred Stock for general corporate purposes, including investments in, or
extensions of credit to, its existing and future subsidiaries, for the
acquisition of other banking and financial institutions, and for the repayment
of outstanding borrowings.
 
                     CERTAIN PUERTO RICO TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following discussion summarizes certain Puerto Rico tax aspects of the
acquisition of the Series A Preferred Stock. This discussion is based upon the
Puerto Rico Income Tax Act of 1954, as amended (the "ITA"), the applicable
regulations under the ITA (the "ITA Regulations"), the Puerto Rico Municipal
Property Tax Act of 1991, as amended (the "MPTA"), the Municipal License Tax
Act, as amended (the "MLTA"), the applicable regulations under the MLTA (the
"MLTA Regulations"), the Estate and Gift Tax Act of Puerto Rico, as amended (the
"EGTA"), the applicable regulations under the EGTA (the "EGTA Regulations") and
judicial and administrative interpretations of the ITA, the ITA Regulations, the
MPTA, the MLTA, the MLTA Regulations, the EGTA and the EGTA Regulations, all as
in effect on the date of this Prospectus Supplement. Each investor should be
aware that the ITA, the ITA Regulations, the MPTA, the MLTA, the MLTA
Regulations, the EGTA and the EGTA Regulations and any interpretations thereof
are subject to change and that any change could be applied retroactively.
 
     This discussion is limited to certain Puerto Rico tax considerations
applicable to individuals who are bona fide residents of Puerto Rico, as defined
in the ITA, and to corporations and partnerships (other than special
partnerships under Supplement P of the ITA ("Special Partnerships")) organized
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; it does not deal with Puerto
Rico tax considerations applicable to other types of investors. Furthermore,
this discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of Puerto Rico
taxation that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their personal
investment circumstances or to certain types of investors subject to special
treatment under the ITA (for example, banks, life insurance companies or tax
exempt organizations). EACH INVESTOR IS STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX
ADVISOR AS TO ANY PUERTO RICO TAX CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING THE PURCHASE, HOLDING
AND DISPOSITION OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK.
 
INCOME TAX
 
     Distributions on the Series A Preferred Stock.  Distributions by the
Corporation with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock will be treated as
dividends for Puerto Rico income tax purposes and will be taxable in the manner
described below to the extent the Corporation has either current or accumulated
earnings and profits. To the extent that the amount of the distributions paid on
the Series A Preferred Stock exceeds the holder's allocable share of the
Corporation's current and accumulated earnings and profits for Puerto Rico
income tax purposes, such distributions will be treated as a non-taxable return
of capital (rather than as a dividend) and will be applied against and reduce
the adjusted basis of the Series A Preferred Stock in the hands of the holder.
The amount of any such distribution that exceeds the adjusted basis of the
Series A Preferred Stock in the hands of the holder will be treated as a gain
from the sale or exchange of such shares of stock, taxable in the manner
described below.
 
     The following discussion regarding the Puerto Rico income taxation of
dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Stock assumes that such dividends are
from Puerto Rico sources. Generally, dividends paid by a corporation organized
under the laws of Puerto Rico are considered to be from Puerto Rico sources
unless the Puerto Rico corporation derives less than 20% of its gross income
from Puerto Rico sources during the three taxable years preceding the year of
declaration of the dividends (or such part of such period as the corporation
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>   12
 
has been in existence). For every year since its incorporation in 1984, the
Corporation has derived more than 20% of its gross income from Puerto Rico
sources.
 
     Puerto Rico Residents.  The ITA imposes a 20% withholding tax on the total
amount of any dividend to be paid by the Corporation on the Series A Preferred
Stock to an individual resident of Puerto Rico, whether a United States citizen
or an alien. Prior to the first dividend distribution for the taxable year,
individuals who are residents of Puerto Rico may elect to be taxed on the
dividends at the regular graduated rates, in which case no tax will be withheld
from such year's distribution. The election must include the following
information: (i) name and address of the electing shareholder, (ii) taxpayer
identification number, (iii) statement authorizing the withholding agent not to
withhold the 20% tax, (iv) name of the withholding agent, (v) date of the
distribution(s) with respect to which the election is made, (vi) date on which
the option is exercised, and (vii) signature of the shareholder. The election,
once made, will be final and irrevocable in connection with the distribution(s)
covered. In the absence of such an election, the withholding agent will withhold
the 20% tax on any dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock paid to a
shareholder who is an individual resident of Puerto Rico. Notwithstanding that
the 20% tax has been withheld from any dividend, a shareholder who is an
individual resident of Puerto Rico may opt, when filing his or her Puerto Rico
income tax return, to include the amount of such dividend as ordinary income and
be taxed thereon at the regular, graduated rates, in which case the 20% tax
withheld will be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by the ITA with
respect to all income included in the return.
 
     Puerto Rico Corporations.  No withholding tax is imposed on distributions
of dividends to corporations organized under the laws of Puerto Rico. In
computing its Puerto Rico income tax liability, a Puerto Rico corporation will
be entitled to claim a dividend received deduction equal to 85% of the dividends
received from the Corporation (the "Dividend Deduction"), provided that the
Dividend Deduction may not exceed 85% of the corporate taxpayer's net taxable
income for Puerto Rico income tax purposes. Based on the presently applicable
maximum Puerto Rico income tax rate of 42%, the maximum effective tax rate on
dividends to the corporate taxpayer would be 6.30% after the Dividend Deduction.
 
     Puerto Rico Partnerships.  Under the ITA, partnerships (other than Special
Partnerships) are taxed as corporations. Accordingly, the above discussion, as
well as the discussion under "Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock"
below with respect to corporations, is equally applicable to partnerships (other
than Special Partnerships) organized under the laws of Puerto Rico.
 
     Redemption in Exchange for Cash.  A redemption of shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock for cash will be a taxable event.
 
     A redemption of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock for cash, including
a redemption premium, if any, will be treated as a distribution taxable as a
dividend to the extent of the Corporation's current or accumulated earnings and
profits if it is essentially equivalent to a dividend. Principles similar to the
ones applied under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") are usually
applied by the Puerto Rico Treasury Department in determining whether a
distribution is essentially equivalent to a dividend. See "Certain United States
Income Tax Considerations - Redemption in Exchange for Cash." The Puerto Rico
Treasury Department, however, is not bound by IRS determinations on this issue
and is free to adopt a different rule. If a redemption of the Series A Preferred
Stock is treated as a distribution that is taxable as a dividend, a shareholder
will be taxed in the same manner described above.
 
     If the redemption is not treated as a dividend, the redemption of the
Series A Preferred Stock for cash, including a redemption premium, if any, would
result in a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash
received, including a redemption premium, if any, and the stockholder's tax
basis in the Series A Preferred Stock redeemed. Any such gain or loss will be
taxable in the same manner that a gain or loss from the sale or exchange of the
Series A Preferred Stock is taxed. See "Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred
Stock" below. This treatment would result if there is a complete redemption for
cash of all the Series A Preferred Stock held by an investor so that the
investor ceases to have an interest in the affairs of the Corporation.
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>   13
 
     Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock.  Gain or loss will be
realized on the sale or exchange of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock equal
to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and the
tax basis of such shares. Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss if
the Series A Preferred Stock is held as a capital asset and will be a long-term
capital gain or loss if the holding period for the Series A Preferred Stock
exceeds six months. If the shareholder is a Puerto Rico resident individual and
the gain is a long-term capital gain, it will be taxable at a maximum rate of
20%. If the shareholder is a Puerto Rico corporation or partnership (other than
a Special Partnership) and the gain is a long-term capital gain, it will be
taxable at a maximum rate of 25%.
 
PROPERTY TAX
 
     The Series A Preferred Stock is exempt from Puerto Rico property taxes
pursuant to Section 5.01(d) of the MPTA.
 
MUNICIPAL LICENSE TAX
 
     Puerto Rico Residents.  Dividends derived by an individual resident of
Puerto Rico on the Series A Preferred Stock are exempt from the Puerto Rico
municipal license tax pursuant to Section 2(a)(7)(A) of the MLTA.
 
     Puerto Rico Corporations and Partnerships.  Dividends on the Series A
Preferred Stock derived by a corporation or partnership organized under the laws
of Puerto Rico engaged in a business other than a financial business are subject
to the Puerto Rico municipal license tax at a rate determined by the
municipality in which it has an office or other establishment from which it
conducts operations, which rate cannot exceed fifty hundredths (.50) of one
percent (1%) pursuant to Section 5(b) of the MLTA.
 
     Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock derived by a corporation or
partnership organized under the laws of Puerto Rico engaged in a financial
business are subject to the Puerto Rico municipal license tax at a rate
determined by the municipality in which it has an office or other establishment
from which it conducts operations, which rate cannot exceed one and one half
percent (1.5%) pursuant to Section 5(a) of the MLTA. As provided in Section
2(a)(6) of the MLTA, the term "financial business" includes commercial banks,
savings and loan associations, mutual or savings banks, financing companies,
insurance companies, investment companies, brokerage houses, collection agencies
and any other type of activity of a similar nature carried out by any industry
or business.
 
ESTATE AND GIFT TAX
 
     The transfer by gift or death of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock by
a United States citizen who acquired citizenship by reason of birth or residence
in Puerto Rico, and who is a resident of Puerto Rico at the time of the gift or
death, is exempt from tax under the EGTA.
 
                CERTAIN UNITED STATES INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following discussion summarizes certain federal income tax aspects of
the acquisition of the Series A Preferred Stock. This discussion is based upon
the Code, the applicable Treasury Regulations (the "Regulations") and judicial
and administrative interpretations of the Code and Regulations, all as in effect
on the date of this Prospectus Supplement. Each investor should be aware that
the Code, the Regulations and any interpretations thereof are subject to change
and that any change could be applied retroactively.
 
     This discussion is limited to certain federal income tax considerations
applicable to individuals who are bona fide residents of Puerto Rico during the
entire taxable year and to corporations organized under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; it does not deal with federal income tax
considerations applicable to other types of investors. Furthermore, this
discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of federal income taxation
that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their personal
investment circumstances or to certain types of investors subject to special
treatment under the Code (for example, banks, life insurance companies or tax
exempt organizations). EACH INVESTOR IS STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT ITS
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>   14
 
OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS
AFFECTING THE PURCHASE, HOLDING AND DISPOSITION OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The following discussion regarding the federal income taxation of dividends
paid on the Series A Preferred Stock assumes that such dividends constitute
Puerto Rico source income for purposes of the Code. Generally, dividends paid by
a corporation organized under the laws of Puerto Rico are considered to be
entirely from Puerto Rico sources for purposes of the Code unless 25% or more of
the Puerto Rico corporation's gross income for the three taxable years preceding
the year of declaration of the dividends (or such part of such period as the
corporation has been in existence) is effectively connected (or, subject to
certain exceptions, treated as effectively connected) with the conduct of a
trade or business within the United States ("ECI-US"). If 25% or more of the
Puerto Rico corporation's gross income for such three-year testing period is
ECI-US, then the dividends will constitute U.S. source income in the same ratio
as the Puerto Rico corporation's ECI-US for such three-year testing period bears
to its total gross income for the same period. For every year since its
incorporation in 1984, less than 25% of the Corporation's gross income has been
ECI-US or treated as ECI-US.
 
     Puerto Rico Residents and Corporations.  In general, distributions made on
the Series A Preferred Stock to an individual who is a bona fide resident of
Puerto Rico during the entire taxable year or to a corporation organized under
the laws of Puerto Rico (a "Puerto Rico Shareholder") will not be includible in
such shareholder's gross income and will be exempt from federal income taxation.
A corporation organized under the laws of Puerto Rico that is engaged in trade
or business in the United States ("ETB-US"), however, will be taxed on the
dividends if they are ECI-US. The dividends will be ECI-US if the corporation
has an office or other fixed place of business within the United States to which
the dividends are attributable and the dividends are either (i) derived from the
active conduct of a banking, financing, or similar business within the United
States, or (ii) received by a corporation the principal business of which is
trading in stock or securities for its own account.
 
REDEMPTION IN EXCHANGE FOR CASH
 
     A redemption of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock for cash will be
treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution that is taxable as a
dividend, to the extent described above, unless the redemption (i) results in a
"complete termination" of the stockholder's stock interest in the Corporation
under Section 302(b)(3) of the Code, (ii) is "substantially disproportionate"
with respect to the stockholder under Section 302(b)(2) of the Code, or (iii) is
"not essentially equivalent to a dividend" with respect to the stockholder under
Section 302(b)(1) of the Code. In determining whether the redemption is to be
treated as a dividend, stock considered to be owned by the stockholder by reason
of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in Section 318 of the Code, as
well as stock actually owned, must be taken into account. Generally, a
distribution to a stockholder will be "not essentially equivalent to a dividend"
if it results in a "meaningful reduction" in the stockholder's percentage
interest in the Corporation. The IRS has indicated through published rulings and
the Regulations that a redemption of preferred stock from a stockholder who
exercises no control over company affairs (including ownership of common stock)
will be treated as being "not essentially equivalent to a dividend."
 
     Puerto Rico Shareholder.  A redemption of shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock for cash, including a redemption premium, if any, would not be includible
in a Puerto Rico Shareholder's gross income and will be exempt from federal
income taxation thereon. No deduction or credit will be allowed for any loss
realized from such redemption that is allocable to or chargeable against amounts
excluded from gross income by reason of the preceding sentence. A corporation
organized under the laws of Puerto Rico that is ETB-US, however, may be subject
to federal income taxation if the gain or loss realized upon the redemptions is
ECI-US.
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>   15
 
SALE OR EXCHANGE OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Gain or loss will be realized on the sale or exchange of the Series A
Preferred Stock equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the
sale or exchange and the tax basis of such shares. Such gain or loss will be a
capital gain or loss if the Series A Preferred Stock is held as a capital asset
and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period for the
Series A Preferred Stock exceeds one year.
 
     Puerto Rico Residents.  Any gain on the sale or exchange of the Series A
Preferred Stock by an individual who is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico
during the entire taxable year will not be includible in such individual's gross
income and will be exempt from federal income taxation.
 
     Puerto Rico Corporations.  In general, any gain on the sale or exchange of
the Series A Preferred Stock by a Puerto Rico corporation will not be included
in such corporation's gross income and will be exempt from federal income
taxation, unless the Puerto Rico corporation maintains an office or other place
of business in the United States to which the gain from the sale or exchange is
attributable.
 
PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANY STATUS
 
     The Code provides special rules regarding certain distributions received by
United States persons (which term includes United States citizens who are
residents of Puerto Rico but not Puerto Rico corporations) with respect to, and
sales and other dispositions (including pledges) of, stock of a Passive Foreign
Investment Company ("PFIC"). A non-United States corporation will be treated as
a PFIC if 75% or more of its gross income is passive income or if the average
percentage of its assets (by value) that produce, or are held for the production
of, passive income is at least 50%. Special rules apply in the case of income
derived from the active conduct of a banking business, and certain items of
income received from affiliates, as well as with respect to corporations 25% or
more of the value of the stock of which is owned by such non-United States
corporation. The IRS has issued proposed regulations under the PFIC provisions
pursuant to which individuals who have been full-year bona fide residents of
Puerto Rico for all taxable years during which they have held the stock of a
PFIC would not be subject to federal income taxes on any portion of the amount
they would have otherwise been required to include in gross income under the
PFIC rules.
 
     The Corporation has represented that it was not a PFIC for the taxable year
ended December 31, 1993, and that it does not expect that it would meet the
criteria to be considered a PFIC in the foreseeable future.
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement
between the Corporation and PaineWebber Incorporated of Puerto Rico (the
"Underwriter"), the Corporation has agreed to sell to the Underwriter and the
Underwriter has agreed to purchase from the Corporation all the shares of Series
A Preferred Stock offered hereby. The nature of the Underwriter's obligation
with respect to such shares is such that it is committed to take and pay for all
of such shares if any are taken.
 
     The Corporation has been advised by the Underwriter that it proposes
initially to offer the Series A Preferred Stock to the public at the public
offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and to
certain dealers at such price less a concession of $0.50 per share; and that the
public offering price, concession, and commission, if any, may be changed by the
Underwriter.
 
     The Corporation has granted the Underwriter an option, exercisable during
the 30-day period after the date of this Prospectus Supplement, to purchase up
to 400,000 additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the same price per
share as the initial 3,600,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be
purchased by the Underwriter, with the Underwriting Commission set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus Supplement. The Underwriter may exercise such
option only to cover over-allotments in the sale of the initial shares of Series
A Preferred Stock to be purchased by the Underwriter.
 
     The Corporation has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and to contribute to payments the Underwriter may be required to make in respect
thereof.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>   16
 
     The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are a new issue of securities. There
is no trading market for the Series A Preferred Stock at present and there is no
assurance that there will be one in the future. The Underwriter has advised the
Corporation that it intends to make a market in the Series A Preferred Stock,
but it is not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a market at any time
without notice. The Corporation has filed an application to have the Series A
Preferred Stock designated for trading through the National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (NASDAQ).
.
 
     The Underwriter has from time to time been a customer of, engaged in
transactions with and performed services for the Corporation and its
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. The Underwriter may continue to
do so in the future.
 
                    VALIDITY OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The validity of the Series A Preferred Stock will be passed upon for the
Corporation by McConnell Valdes, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and for the Underwriter
by Axtmayer Adsuar Muniz & Goyco, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Samuel T. Cespedes,
Esq., a partner of McConnell Valdes, is the Secretary of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation and of the boards of directors of several subsidiaries of the
Corporation, including Banco Popular, a non-voting member of the board of
directors of one of the Corporation's subsidiaries, and legal counsel to Banco
Popular's Senior Management Council. As of the date of this Prospectus
Supplement, Mr. Cespedes owned 2,640 shares of the Corporation's common stock.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from
the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1993, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse,
independent public accountants, given upon the authority of said firm as experts
in auditing and accounting.
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>   17
 
PROSPECTUS
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                       OF
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
                                       OR
 
                        POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK INC.
                          (UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
                            BY BANPONCE CORPORATION)
                                       OR
 
                            BANPONCE FINANCIAL CORP.
                          (UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
                            BY BANPONCE CORPORATION)
 
                                PREFERRED STOCK
                                       OF
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
                                       OR
 
                        POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK INC.
                          (UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
                            BY BANPONCE CORPORATION)
                             ---------------------
 
     BanPonce Corporation (the "Corporation") intends to issue from time to time
in one or more series its (i) unsecured debt securities, which may be either
senior or subordinated, and (ii) shares of preferred stock. BanPonce Financial
Corp. ("Financial") intends to issue from time to time in one or more series its
unsecured debt securities. Popular International Bank Inc. ("PIB") intends to
issue from time to time in one or more series its (i) unsecured debt securities,
which may be either senior or subordinated, and (ii) shares of preferred stock.
The foregoing debt securities and shares of preferred stock are collectively
referred to herein as the "Securities". The Securities will be limited to an
aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $400,000,000 or, in the case of
debt securities, the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies,
including composite currencies. The Securities offered may be offered,
separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms
to be determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in a supplement to this
Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
     The subordinated debt securities when issued will be subordinated as
described herein under "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees." Unless
otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, payment of the principal of
the subordinated debt securities may be accelerated only in the case of certain
events involving the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Corporation
or PIB, as the case may be. There is no right of acceleration of payment of
subordinated debt securities in the case of a default in the performance of any
covenant of the Corporation or PIB, including the payment of principal or
interest.
 
     The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered, including (i) in the case of debt securities, the issuer, the
specific designation, aggregate principal amount, denominations, maturity,
premium, if any, rate (which may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of
interest, if any, terms for redemption at the option of the Corporation,
Financial, PIB or the holder, if any, currency or currencies of denomination and
payment, if other than U.S. dollars, and any other terms in connection with the
offering and sale of the debt securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered, as well as the initial public offering price, and the principal
amounts, if any, to be purchased by underwriters and (ii) in the case of
preferred stock, the issuer, the specific title and stated value, number of
shares or fractional interests therein, any dividend, liquidation, redemption,
voting and other rights, the terms, if any, for conversion into preferred stock
or other debt securities, the securities exchanges, if any, on which the
preferred stock is to be listed, the initial public offering price, and the
number of shares, if any, to be purchased by the underwriters, will be as set
forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All or a portion of the debt
securities may be issued in permanent global form.
 
     The Securities may be sold to underwriters for public offering pursuant to
terms of offering fixed at the time of sale. In addition, the Securities may be
sold by the Corporation directly or through dealers or agents designated from
time to time, which agents may be affiliates of the Corporation. The Prospectus
Supplement will also set forth with respect to the sale of the Securities in
respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered the names of the
underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, together with the terms of offering,
the compensation of such underwriters and the net proceeds to the Corporation.
                             ---------------------
 
     THE SECURITIES WILL BE UNSECURED OBLIGATIONS OF THE CORPORATION AND WILL
NOT BE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR NONBANK
SUBSIDIARY OF THE CORPORATION AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE BANK INSURANCE FUND OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION, THE SECURITIES OFFICE OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
  OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO OR ANY STATE
      SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
      COMMISSION, SUCH SECURITIES OFFICE, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
        COMMISSION, PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
    PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                             ---------------------
 
                   The date of this Prospectus is May 3, 1993
<PAGE>   18
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Corporation can be inspected and
copied at the Commission's office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and the Commission's Regional Offices in New York (7 World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048) and Chicago (Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661), and copies of such material can be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. This Prospectus does
not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement which
the Corporation has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Act") and to which reference is hereby made.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The Corporation hereby incorporates by reference into this Prospectus the
following documents filed by the Corporation with the Commission:
 
          1. The Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
     December 31, 1992;
 
          2. The Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 27, 1993;
     and
 
          3. The Corporation's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated August
     18, 1988, filed pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, pursuant to
     which the Corporation registered its Series A Participating Cumulative
     Preferred Stock Purchase Rights.
 
     All documents filed by the Corporation subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part
thereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     Any person receiving a copy of this Prospectus, including any beneficial
owner, may obtain without charge, upon oral or written request, a copy of any of
the documents incorporated by reference herein, except for the exhibits to such
documents. Written requests should be mailed to Mr. Orlando Berges, Senior Vice
President, BanPonce Corporation, P.O. Box 362708, San Juan, Puerto Rico
00936-2708. Telephone requests may be directed to (809) 765-9800.
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
     The Corporation is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956 and incorporated in 1984 under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico ("Puerto Rico"). The Corporation is the largest financial
institution in Puerto Rico, with consolidated assets of $10 billion, total
deposits of $8 billion and stockholders' equity of $752.1 million as of December
31, 1992. Based on both total assets and total deposits at December 31, 1992,
the Corporation was the 55th largest bank holding company in the United States.
The Corporation's principal executive offices are located at 209 Munoz Rivera
Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918 and its telephone number is (809) 765-9800.
 
     The Corporation's principal subsidiary, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
("Banco Popular" or the "Bank"), was incorporated nearly 100 years ago in 1893
and is Puerto Rico's largest bank with total assets of $9.6 billion, deposits of
$8.1 billion and stockholders' equity of $662.8 million at December 31, 1992.
The Bank accounted for 96% of the total consolidated assets of the Corporation
at December 31, 1992. A
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   19
 
consumer-oriented bank, Banco Popular has the largest retail franchise in Puerto
Rico, operating 195 branches, 226 automated teller machines, and 47 consumer
loan centers. The Bank also has the largest trust operation in Puerto Rico and
is a leader in the mortgage banking business. In addition, it operates the
largest Hispanic bank branch network in the mainland United States with 28
branches in New York, one branch in Chicago, and one branch in Los Angeles. As
of December 31, 1992, these branches had a total of approximately $1.2 billion
in deposits. The Bank also operates three branches in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
 
     The Corporation has two other principal subsidiaries: Vehicle Equipment
Leasing Company, Inc. ("VELCO") and Financial. VELCO is engaged primarily in the
finance leasing of passenger vehicles and is the largest leasing company in
Puerto Rico. For additional information regarding Financial, see "BanPonce
Financial Corp."
 
                            BANPONCE FINANCIAL CORP.
 
     Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of PIB and an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of the Corporation, was organized in 1991 under the laws of the State
of Delaware. Financial's principal executive office is located at 521 Fellowship
Road, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 08054. Financial acquired all of the common stock
of Spring Financial Services, Inc. ("Spring") on September 30, 1991. Spring is
engaged in the business of providing consumer and dealer finance loans and
operates through forty branches in ten mid-Atlantic states. Summary consolidated
financial statements of Financial are included in the notes to the Corporation's
consolidated financial statements. Prior to the acquisition of Spring, Financial
had no significant business operation.
 
                        POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK INC.
 
     PIB is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation organized in 1992 under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and operating as an "international
banking entity" under the International Banking Center Regulatory Act of Puerto
Rico (the "IBC Act"). PIB owns all of the outstanding capital stock of
Financial. Summary consolidated financial statements of PIB are included in the
Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 27, 1993. PIB's principal
executive offices are located at 209 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
00918 and its telephone number is (809) 765-9800.
 
                CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                        ----------------------------------------
                                                        1992     1991     1990     1989     1988
                                                        ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
  Excluding Interest on Deposits......................  2.7      2.1      3.6      2.4      2.2
  Including Interest on Deposits......................  1.3      1.2      1.3      1.2      1.2
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock
  Dividends
  Excluding Interest on Deposits......................  2.6      2.0      3.6      2.4      2.2
  Including Interest on Deposits......................  1.3      1.2      1.3      1.2      1.2
</TABLE>
 
     For purposes of computing these consolidated ratios, earnings represent
income (loss) before income taxes, cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles and equity in undistributed income of unconsolidated subsidiaries and
affiliates, plus fixed charges excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges
represent all interest expense (ratios are presented both excluding and
including interest on deposits), the portion of net rental expense which is
deemed representative of the interest factor, the amortization of debt issuance
expense and capitalized interest.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   20
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the
Securities for general corporate purposes, including investments in, or
extensions of credit to, its existing and future subsidiaries, for the
acquisition of other banking and financial institutions, and repayment of
outstanding borrowings. The Corporation does not at present have any plans to
use the proceeds from any offering for a material acquisition or to repay
outstanding borrowings. All or a substantial portion of the proceeds from the
sale of Securities issued by Financial will be lent by Financial to Spring or
used by Financial for general corporate purposes. The net proceeds from the sale
of Securities by PIB will be lent by PIB to its affiliates or used by PIB for
general corporate purposes. The precise amounts and timing of the application of
proceeds will depend on various factors existing at the time of offering of the
Securities, including the Corporation's subsidiaries' funding requirements and
the availability of other funds. Pending such use, the proceeds may be
temporarily invested in short-term obligations.
 
                           CERTAIN REGULATORY MATTERS
 
GENERAL
 
     The Corporation is a bank holding company subject to supervision and
regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal
Reserve Board") under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the "BHC Act"). As a
bank holding company, the Corporation's activities and those of its banking and
nonbanking subsidiaries are limited to the business of banking and activities
closely related or incidental to banking, and the Corporation may not directly
or indirectly acquire the ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of
voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any company in the United
States, including a bank, without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve
Board. In addition, bank holding companies are generally prohibited under the
BHC Act from engaging in nonbanking activities, subject to certain exceptions.
 
     Banco Popular is considered a foreign bank for purposes of the
International Banking Act of 1978 (the "IBA"). Under the IBA and the BHC Act,
the Corporation and Banco Popular are not permitted to operate a branch or
agency, or acquire more than 5% of any class of the voting shares or
substantially all the assets of, or control of an additional bank or bank
holding company that is located outside of their "home state", except that (i)
the Corporation may acquire control of a bank in a state if the laws of that
state explicitly authorize a bank holding company from such bank holding
company's home state to do so and (ii) Banco Popular may continue to operate a
"grandfathered" branch or agency. Puerto Rico is not considered a state for
purposes of these geographic limitations. Banco Popular has designated the state
of New York as its home state. In addition, some states have laws prohibiting or
restricting foreign banks from acquiring banks located in such states and treat
Puerto Rico's banks and bank holding companies as foreign banks for such
purposes.
 
     Banco Popular operates branches in Chicago and Los Angeles that are not
grandfathered for purposes of the IBA. The Federal Reserve Board has required
that Banco Popular conform their existence to the legal requirements set forth
above. Banco Popular has petitioned the Federal Reserve Board for a period of
four years, commencing January 1, 1991, to conform these activities to the
requirements of the IBA and to obtain the necessary approvals of California and
Illinois regulatory authorities to maintain these two facilities. There can be
no assurance that the Federal Reserve Board will grant Banco Popular's request
or that Banco Popular will be able to obtain the regulatory approvals of
California and Illinois authorities necessary to maintain these two facilities.
 
     Banco Popular is subject to supervision and examination by applicable
federal, state and Puerto Rico banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve
Board. Banco Popular is a member of, and therefore subject to the regulations
of, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), and to requirements
and restrictions under federal, state and Puerto Rico law, including
requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types
and amounts of loans that may be granted and the interest that may be charged
thereon, and limitations on the types of other investments that may be made and
the types of services that may be offered. Various consumer laws and regulations
also affect the operations of Banco Popular. In
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   21
 
addition to the impact of regulation, commercial banks are affected
significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve Board as it attempts to
control the money supply and credit availability in order to influence the
economy.
 
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
 
     Banco Popular is subject to restrictions under federal law that limit the
transfer of funds by Banco Popular to the Corporation, Financial, PIB and the
Corporation's other nonbanking subsidiaries, whether in the form of loans, other
extensions of credit, investments or asset purchases. Such transfers by Banco
Popular to the Corporation or any one nonbanking subsidiary are limited in
amount to 10% of Banco Popular's capital stock and surplus and, with respect to
the Corporation and all nonbanking subsidiaries, to an aggregate of 20% of Banco
Popular's capital stock and surplus. Furthermore, such loans and extensions of
credit are required to be secured in specified amounts.
 
     Because the Corporation, PIB and Financial are holding companies, their
right to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the latter's
liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the
subsidiary's creditors (including depositors in the case of bank subsidiaries)
except to the extent that the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be,
may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.
 
     Under Federal Reserve Board policy, a bank holding company, such as the
Corporation, is expected to act as a source of financial strength to each of its
subsidiary banks and to commit resources to support each such subsidiary bank.
This support may be required at times when, absent such policy, the bank holding
company might not otherwise provide such support. In addition, any capital loans
by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in
right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such
subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, any
commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to
maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy
trustee and entitled to a priority of payment. Banco Popular currently is the
only subsidiary bank of the Corporation.
 
     Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the "FDIA"), a depository
institution (which term includes both banks and savings associations), the
deposits of which are insured by the FDIC, can be held liable for any loss
incurred by, or reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC after August 9,
1989 in connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured
depository institution or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to any
commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution "in danger of default."
"Default" is defined generally as the appointment of a conservator or a receiver
and "in danger of default" is defined generally as the existence of certain
conditions indicating that a default is likely to occur in the absence of
regulatory assistance. Banco Popular currently is the only controlled
FDIC-insured depository institution of the Corporation.
 
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
 
     Under the Federal Reserve Board's risk-based capital guidelines for bank
holding companies and member banks, when the guidelines became fully phased-in
at the end of 1992, the minimum guidelines for the ratio of total capital
("Total capital") to risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance sheet
items, such as standby letters of credit) became 8%. Until year-end 1992, the
minimum ratio was 7.25%. At least half of the Total capital is to be comprised
of common equity, retained earnings, minority interests in unconsolidated
subsidiaries, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and a limited amount of
cumulative perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill and, after March 15, 1993,
less certain other intangible assets discussed below ("Tier 1 capital"). The
remainder may consist of a limited amount of subordinated debt, other preferred
stock, certain other instruments, and a limited amount of loan and lease loss
reserves ("Tier 2 capital").
 
     In addition, the Federal Reserve Board has established minimum leverage
ratio guidelines for bank holding companies and member banks. These guidelines
provide for a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets, less goodwill
and, after March 15, 1993, less certain other intangible assets discussed below
(the
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   22
 
"leverage ratio") of 3% for bank holding companies and member banks that meet
certain specified criteria, including that they have the highest regulatory
rating. All other bank holding companies and member banks will be required to
maintain a leverage ratio of 3% plus an additional cushion of at least 100 to
200 basis points. The guidelines also provide that banking organizations
experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain
strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels,
without significant reliance on intangible assets. Furthermore, the guidelines
indicate that the Federal Reserve Board will continue to consider a "tangible
Tier 1 leverage ratio" (deducting all intangibles) and other indicia of capital
strength in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activities. The tangible
Tier 1 leverage ratio is the ratio of a banking organization's Tier 1 capital,
less all intangibles, to total assets, less all intangibles.
 
     Under the Federal Reserve Board's requirements, utilizing the December 31,
1992 guidelines, the Corporation's and Banco Popular's capital ratios at
December 31, 1992 are set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 CORPORATION     BANCO POPULAR
                                                                 -----------     -------------
    <S>                                                          <C>             <C>
    Tier 1 capital.............................................     12.88%           11.49%
    Total capital..............................................     14.85%           13.74%
    Leverage ratio.............................................      7.26%            6.56%
</TABLE>
 
     Effective for periods ending on or after March 15, 1993, the Federal
Reserve Board adopted regulations with respect to risk-based and leverage
capital ratios that would require most intangibles, including core deposit
intangibles, to be deducted from Tier 1 capital. The proposal, however, would
permit the inclusion of a limited amount of intangibles related to purchased
mortgage servicing rights and purchased credit card relationships and includes a
"grandfather" provision permitting the continued inclusion of certain existing
intangibles. As of December 31, 1992, under the foregoing proposal, on a fully
phased-in basis the Corporation would have had a ratio of Tier 1 capital to
risk-weighted assets of 12.73%, a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets
of 14.70% and a leverage ratio of 7.17%.
 
     Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank to a variety of
enforcement remedies, including the termination of deposit insurance by the
FDIC, and to certain restrictions on its business, which are described below
under "FDICIA".
 
     Bank regulators continue to indicate their desire to raise capital
requirements applicable to banking organizations beyond their current levels.
However, management is unable to predict whether and when higher capital
requirements would be imposed and, if so, at what levels and on what schedule.
 
FDICIA
 
     On December 19, 1991, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement
Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") was enacted. FDICIA substantially revises the depository
institution regulatory and funding provisions of the FDIA and makes revisions to
several other federal banking statutes. Among other things, FDICIA requires the
federal banking regulators to take prompt corrective action in respect of
depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. FDICIA
and regulations thereunder establish five capital tiers: "well capitalized",
"adequately capitalized", "undercapitalized", "significantly undercapitalized",
and "critically undercapitalized". Under recently adopted regulations, a
depository institution will be considered well capitalized if it maintains a
leverage ratio of at least 5%, a risk-based Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6%
and a risk-based Total capital ratio of at least 10% and is not subject to any
written agreement or directive to meet a specific capital level. A depository
institution will be deemed adequately capitalized if it is not well capitalized
but maintains a leverage ratio of at least 4% (or at least 3% if given the
highest regulatory rating and not experiencing or anticipating significant
growth), a risk-based Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 4% and a risk-based Total
capital ratio of at least 8%. A depository institution will be deemed
undercapitalized if it fails to meet the standards for adequately capitalized
institutions (unless it is deemed significantly or critically undercapitalized).
An institution will be deemed significantly undercapitalized if it has a
leverage ratio of less than 3%, a risk-based Tier 1 ratio of less than 3% or a
risk-based Total capital ratio of less than 6%. An institution will be deemed
critically undercapitalized if it has tangible equity equal to 2% or less of
total assets.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   23
 
A depository institution may be deemed to be in a capitalization category that
is lower than is indicated by its actual capital position if it receives an
unsatisfactory examination rating.
 
     FDICIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital
distribution (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to
its holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be
undercapitalized. Undercapitalized depository institutions will be subject to
restrictions on borrowing from the Federal Reserve System, effective December
19, 1993. In addition, undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to
growth limitations and are required to submit capital restoration plans. A
depository institution's holding company must guarantee the capital plan, up to
an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the depository institution's assets at
the time it becomes undercapitalized or the amount of the capital deficiency
when the institution fails to comply with the plan. The federal banking agencies
may not accept a capital plan without determining, among other things, that the
plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the
depository institution's capital. If a depository institution fails to submit an
acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is significantly undercapitalized.
Significantly undercapitalized depository institutions may be subject to a
number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient
voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total
assets, and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks.
Critically undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to appointment
of a receiver or conservator.
 
     At December 31, 1992, Banco Popular was well capitalized.
 
     Various other legislation, including proposals to revise the banking
regulatory system and to limit the investments that a depository institution may
make with insured funds, is from time to time introduced in Congress.
 
DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
 
     The principal source of cash flow for the Corporation is dividends from
Banco Popular. Various statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends Banco
Popular can pay to the Corporation without regulatory approval. As a member bank
subject to the regulation of the Federal Reserve Board, Banco Popular must
obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board for any dividend if the total
of all dividends declared by the bank in any calendar year would exceed the
total of its net profits, as defined by the Federal Reserve Board, for that
year, combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two years. In
addition, a member bank may not pay a dividend in an amount greater than its
undivided profits then on hand after deducting its losses and bad debts. For
this purpose, bad debts are generally defined to include the principal amount of
loans that are in arrears with respect to interest by six months or more unless
such loans are fully secured and in the process of collection. Moreover, for
purposes of this limitation, a member bank is not permitted to add the balance
in its allowance for loan losses account to its undivided profits then on hand;
however, it may net the sum of its bad debts as so defined against the balance
in its allowance for loan losses account and deduct from undivided profits only
bad debts as so defined in excess of that account. At December 31, 1992, Banco
Popular could have declared a dividend of approximately $142.6 million without
such approval.
 
     The payment of dividends by Banco Popular may also be affected by other
regulatory requirements and policies, such as the maintenance of adequate
capital. If, in the opinion of the applicable regulatory authority, a bank under
its jurisdiction is engaged in, or is about to engage in, an unsafe or unsound
practice (that, depending on the financial condition of the bank, could include
the payment of dividends), such authority may require, after notice and hearing,
that such bank cease and desist from such practice. The Federal Reserve Board
has issued a policy statement that provides that insured banks and bank holding
companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings.
In addition, all insured depository institutions are subject to the
capital-based limitations described under "FDICIA".
 
     See "Certain Regulatory Matters -- Puerto Rico Regulation" for a
description of certain restrictions on Banco Popular's ability to pay dividends
under Puerto Rico law.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   24
 
FDIC INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS
 
     Banco Popular is subject to FDIC deposit insurance assessments.
 
     Pursuant to FDICIA, the FDIC has adopted, effective January 1, 1993, a
temporary risk-based assessment system, under which the assessment rate for an
insured depository institution varies according to the level of risk incurred in
its activities. An institution's risk category is based partly upon whether the
institution is well capitalized, adequately capitalized or less than adequately
capitalized. Each insured depository institution would also be assigned to one
of the following "supervisory subgroups": "A", "B" or "C". Group "A"
institutions are financially sound institutions with only a few minor
weaknesses; group "B" institutions are institutions that demonstrate weaknesses
which, if not corrected, could result in significant deterioration; and group
"C" institutions are institutions for which there is a substantial probability
that the FDIC will suffer a loss in connection with the institution unless
effective action is taken to correct the areas of weakness. Based on its capital
and supervisory subgroups, each Bank Insurance Fund member institution is
assigned an annual FDIC assessment rate varying between 0.23% and 0.31%. The
FDIC is currently considering a permanent risk-based assessment system. It
remains possible that assessments will be raised to higher levels in the future.
Any such increase would have an adverse effect upon the net earnings of Banco
Popular and, therefore, the Corporation.
 
BROKERED DEPOSITS
 
     FDIC regulations adopted under FDICIA govern the receipt of brokered
deposits. Under these regulations, a bank cannot accept, rollover or renew
brokered deposits (which term is defined to include any deposit with an interest
rate more than 75 basis points above prevailing rates) unless (i) it is well
capitalized, or (ii) it is adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from the
FDIC. A bank that is adequately capitalized may not pay an interest rate on any
deposits in excess of 75 basis points over certain prevailing market rates
specified by regulation. There are no such restrictions on a bank that is well
capitalized. The Corporation does not believe the brokered deposits regulation
has had or will have a material effect on the funding or liquidity of Banco
Popular.
 
PUERTO RICO REGULATION
 
  General
 
     As a commercial bank organized under the laws of the Commonwealth, Banco
Popular is subject to supervision, examination and regulation by the Office of
the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of the Commonwealth (the "Office of
the Commissioner"), pursuant to the Puerto Rico Banking Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Banking Law").
 
     Section 27 of the Banking Law requires that at least ten percent (10%) of
the yearly net income of the Bank be credited annually to a reserve fund. This
apportionment shall be done every year until the reserve fund shall be equal to
ten percent (10%) of the total deposits or the total paid-in capital, whichever
is greater. At the end of its most recent fiscal year, the Bank had an adequate
reserve fund established.
 
     Section 27 of the Banking Law also provides that when the expenditures of a
bank are greater than the receipts, the excess of the former over the latter
shall be charged against the undistributed profits of the bank, and the balance,
if any, shall be charged against the reserve fund, as a reduction thereof. If
there is no reserve fund sufficient to cover such balance in whole or in part,
the outstanding amount shall be charged against the capital account and no
dividend shall be declared until said capital has been restored to its original
amount and the reserve fund to 20% of the original capital.
 
     Section 16 of the Banking Law requires every bank to maintain a legal
reserve which shall not be less than 20% of its demand liabilities, except
government deposits (federal, state and municipal) which are secured by actual
collateral. However, if a bank becomes a member of the Federal Reserve System,
the 20% legal reserve shall not be effective and the reserve requirements
demanded by the Federal Reserve System shall be applicable. Pursuant to an order
of the Federal Reserve Board dated November 24, 1982, the Bank has been exempted
from such reserve requirements with respect to deposits payable in Puerto Rico.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   25
 
     Section 17 of the Banking Law permits the Bank to make loans to any one
person, firm, partnership or corporation, up to an aggregate amount of fifteen
percent (15%) of the paid-in capital and reserve fund of the Bank. As of
December 31, 1992, the legal lending limit for the Bank under this provision was
approximately $79.6 million. If such loans are secured by collateral worth at
least twenty-five percent (25%) more than the amount of the loan, the aggregate
maximum amount may reach one third of the paid-in capital of the Bank, plus its
reserve fund. There are no restrictions under Section 17 on the amount of loans
which are wholly secured by bonds, securities and other evidences of
indebtedness of the Government of the United States or the Commonwealth, or by
current debt bonds, not in default, of municipalities or instrumentalities of
the Commonwealth.
 
     The Finance Board, which is a part of the Office of the Commissioner, but
also includes as its members the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of
Commerce, the Secretary of Consumer Affairs, the President of the Planning
Board, and the President of the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, has
the authority to regulate the maximum interest rates and finance charges that
may be charged on loans to individuals and unincorporated businesses in the
Commonwealth. In February 1992, the Finance Board approved Regulation 26-A,
which provides that the applicable interest rate on loans to individuals and
unincorporated businesses (including real estate development loans but excluding
certain other personal and commercial loans secured by mortgages on real estate
properties) is to be determined by free competition. Prior to February 1992, the
applicable interest rate ceilings for consumer loans were set at 130% of the
average prime rate for the previous three months, and at rates ranging from the
prime rate to 3% above the prime rate (plus certain additional finance charges)
for loans to unincorporated businesses.
 
     The Finance Board also has authority to regulate the maximum finance
charges on retail installment sales contracts (including credit card purchases),
which are currently set at 21%. There is no maximum rate set for installment
sales contracts involving motor vehicles, commercial, agricultural and
industrial equipment, commercial electric appliances, and insurance premiums.
 
     Section 14 of the Banking Law authorizes the Bank to conduct certain
financial and related activities directly or through subsidiaries, including
finance leasing of personal property and operating a small loan company. Banco
Popular engages in these activities through its wholly owned subsidiaries,
Popular Leasing & Rental, Inc. and Popular Consumer Services, Inc.,
respectively, both of which are organized and operate solely in Puerto Rico.
 
  IBC Act
 
     Under the IBC Act, without the prior approval of the Office of the
Commissioner, PIB may not amend its articles of incorporation or issue
additional shares of capital stock or other securities convertible into
additional shares of capital stock unless such shares are issued directly to the
shareholders of PIB previously identified in the application to organize the
international banking entity, in which case notification to the Office of the
Commissioner must be given within ten business days following the date of the
issue. Pursuant to the IBC Act, without the prior approval of the Office of the
Commissioner, PIB may not initiate the sale, encumbrance, assignment, merger or
other transfer of shares if by such transaction a person or persons acting in
concert could acquire direct or indirect control of 10% or more of any class of
the Company's stock. Such authorization must be requested at least 30 days prior
to the transaction.
 
     PIB must submit to the Office of the Commissioner a report of its condition
and results of operation on a monthly basis and its annual audited financial
statement at the close of its fiscal year. Under the IBC Act, PIB may not deal
with domestic persons as such term is defined in the IBC Act. Also, it may only
engage in those activities authorized in the IBC Act, the regulations adopted
thereunder and its license.
 
     The IBC Act empowers the Office of the Commissioner to revoke or suspend,
after a hearing, the license of an international banking entity if, among other
things, it fails to comply with the IBC Act, regulations issued by the Office of
the Commissioner, or the terms of its license or if the Office of the
Commissioner finds that the business of the international banking entity is
conducted in a manner not consistent with public interest.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   26
 
                 DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES
 
     The Corporation's senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities") may
be issued from time to time in one or more series under an Indenture (the
"Senior Indenture") between the Corporation and the trustee named in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, as trustee (the "Senior Trustee"). The
Corporation's subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities")
may be issued from time to time in one or more series under an Indenture (the
"Subordinated Indenture") between the Corporation and the trustee named in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, as trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee"). PIB's
senior debt securities (the "PIB Senior Debt Securities") may be issued from
time to time in one or more series under an Indenture (the "PIB Senior
Indenture") among the Corporation, PIB and the trustee named in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, as trustee (the "PIB Senior Trustee"). PIB's subordinated
debt securities ("PIB Subordinated Debt Securities") may be issued from time to
time in one or more series under an Indenture (the "PIB Subordinated Indenture")
among the Corporation, PIB and the trustee named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, as trustee (the "PIB Subordinated Trustee"). The senior debt
securities issued by Financial (the "Guaranteed Securities") may be issued from
time to time in one or more series under an Indenture (the "Guaranteed
Indenture") among the Corporation, Financial and the trustee named in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, as trustee (the "Guaranteed Trustee"). The
Senior Debt Securities, the Subordinated Debt Securities, the PIB Senior Debt
Securities, the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities, and the Guaranteed Securities
are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Debt Securities". The Senior
Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture, the PIB Senior Indenture, the PIB
Subordinated Indenture and the Guaranteed Indenture are sometimes referred to
collectively as the "Indentures," and the Senior Trustee, the Subordinated
Trustee, the PIB Senior Trustee, the PIB Subordinated Trustee and the Guaranteed
Trustee are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Trustees." The statements
under this caption are brief summaries of material provisions contained in the
Indentures, do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the Indentures, including the definition therein of certain terms,
copies of which are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part.
 
GENERAL
 
     Each Indenture provides for the issuance of debt securities in one or more
series, and does not limit the principal amount of debt securities which may be
issued thereunder.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the following terms of
the Debt Securities being offered hereby: (1) the specific title of the Debt
Securities; (2) whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities,
Subordinated Debt Securities, PIB Senior Debt Securities, PIB Subordinated Debt
Securities or Guaranteed Securities; (3) the aggregate principal amount of the
Debt Securities; (4) the percentage of their principal amount at which the Debt
Securities will be issued; (5) the date or dates on which the Debt Securities
will mature; (6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or
the method for determining such rate or rates, if any, at which the Debt
Securities will bear interest; (7) the times, if any, at which any such interest
will be payable; (8) any provisions relating to optional or mandatory redemption
of the Debt Securities; (9) the denominations in which the Debt Securities are
authorized to be issued; (10) the extent to which Debt Securities will be
issuable in global form and, if so, the identity of the Depositary for such
global Debt Securities; (11) the currency or units of two or more currencies in
which the Debt Securities are denominated, if other than United States dollars,
and the currency in which interest is payable if other than the currency in
which the Debt Securities are denominated; (12) the place or places at which the
Corporation, PIB or Financial will make payments of principal (and premium, if
any) and interest, if any, and the method of such payment; (13) the Person to
whom any Debt Security of such series will be payable, if other than the Person
in whose name that Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt Securities) is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest; (14) whether the Debt Securities may be issued as Original Issue
Discount Securities; (15) whether the amount of payment of principal of or any
premium or interest on any Debt Security may be determined with reference to an
index, formula or other method and the manner in which such amount shall be
determined; (16) any additional covenants and Events of Default and the remedies
with respect thereto not currently set forth in the respective Indenture; and
(17) any other specific terms of Debt Securities.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   27
 
     One or more series of the Debt Securities may be issued as Discount
Securities. A "Discount Security" is a debt security, including any zero-coupon
security, which is issued at a price lower than the amount payable at the Stated
Maturity thereof and which provides that upon redemption or acceleration of the
Maturity thereof an amount less than the amount payable upon the Stated Maturity
thereof and determined in accordance with the terms thereof shall become due and
payable.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
covenants contained in the Indentures and the Debt Securities will not afford
holders of the Debt Securities protection in the event of a sudden decline in
credit rating that might result from a recapitalization, restructuring, or other
highly leveraged transaction.
 
FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
     Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in certificated or global form.
Debt Securities in certificated form may be presented for registration of
transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed), at the
office of the Security Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent
designated by the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, for such
purpose with respect to any series of Debt Securities and referred to in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any
taxes and other governmental charges as described in the relevant Indenture.
Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar being
satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the Person making the
request. The Security Registrar with respect to the Debt Securities will be
designated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If a Prospectus Supplement
refers to any transfer agents (in addition to the Security Registrar) initially
designated by the Corporation, PIB or Financial with respect to any series of
Debt Securities, the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, may at
any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change
in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that the
Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, will be required to maintain
a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series. The Corporation, PIB
or Financial, as the case may be, may at any time designate additional transfer
agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities.
 
     In the event of any redemption in part, the Corporation, PIB or Financial,
as the case may be, shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of
or exchange any Debt Security during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Debt Securities
of like tenor and of the series of which such Debt Security is a part and ending
at the close of business on the day of such mailing and (ii) register the
transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole
or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in
part.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENT
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of and premium (if any) on any Debt Security will be made only
against surrender to the Paying Agent of such Debt Security. Unless otherwise
indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, principal of and any premium
and interest on the Debt Securities will be payable, subject to any applicable
laws and regulations, at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the
Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, may designate from time to
time, except that at the option of the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the
case may be, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address
of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security
Register with respect to such Debt Securities. Unless otherwise indicated in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest on a Debt Security on any
Interest Payment Date will be made to the Person in whose name such Debt
Security (or Predecessor Debt Security) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
 
     The Paying Agent for payments with respect to Debt Securities of each
series will be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The
Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that
the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, will be required to
maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for each series of Debt
Securities.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   28
 
     All moneys paid by the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be,
to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of and any premium or
interest on any Debt Security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years
after such principal, premium or interest shall have become due and payable will
be repaid to the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, and the
Holder of such Debt Security will thereafter look only to the Corporation, PIB
or Financial, as the case may be, for payment thereof.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     Each of the Senior Indenture, PIB Senior Indenture and the Guaranteed
Indenture provides that the Corporation, subject to the provisions described
under "Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance," will not sell, assign,
transfer, or otherwise dispose of, or permit Banco Popular to issue, sell,
assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of, or securities
convertible into or options to subscribe for, Voting Stock of Banco Popular
unless Banco Popular remains a Controlled Subsidiary (as defined below) of the
Corporation, and will not permit Banco Popular to merge or consolidate or
convey, transfer, lease or sell its properties substantially as an entirety,
unless the surviving corporation or transferee, as the case may be, is a
Controlled Subsidiary of the Corporation. There is no similar restriction in the
Subordinated Indenture or the PIB Subordinated Indenture.
 
     Each of the Senior Indenture, PIB Senior Indenture and the Guaranteed
Indenture also provides that the Corporation will not, and it will not permit
any Material Banking Subsidiary (as defined below) at any time directly or
indirectly to, create, assume, incur or permit to exist any indebtedness for
borrowed money secured by a pledge, lien or other encumbrance on the Voting
Stock of any Material Banking Subsidiary without making effective provision
whereby the Debt Securities and the Guarantees (and, if the Corporation so
elects, any other indebtedness ranking on a parity with the Debt Securities and
the Guarantees) shall be secured equally and ratably with such secured
indebtedness so long as such other indebtedness shall be so secured; provided,
however, that the foregoing covenant shall not be applicable to liens for taxes
or assessments or governmental charges or levies not then due and delinquent or
the validity of which is being contested in good faith or which are less than
$10,000,000 in amount, liens created by or resulting from any litigation or
legal proceeding which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings or which involve claims of less than $10,000,000, or deposits to
secure (or in lieu of) surety, stay, appeal or customs bonds. There is no
similar restriction in the Subordinated Indenture or the PIB Subordinated
Indenture.
 
     For the purpose of the foregoing provisions, "Material Banking Subsidiary"
means any Controlled Subsidiary chartered as a banking corporation under
federal, state or Puerto Rican law which is a significant subsidiary of the
Corporation as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Rules and
Regulations of the Commission. "Controlled Subsidiary" means any corporation
more than 80% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned by the
Corporation.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  General
 
     If the Debt Securities of a series provide for mandatory redemption by the
Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, or redemption at the election
of the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, unless otherwise
provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, such redemption shall be on
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice and, in the event of redemption
of Debt Securities of a series of like tenor in part, the Debt Securities to be
redeemed will be selected by the Trustee in such usual manner as it shall deem
fair and appropriate. Notice of such redemption will be mailed to Holders of
Debt Securities of such series to their last addresses as they appear on the
register of the Debt Securities of such series.
 
  For Taxation
 
     Should the Corporation or PIB, on the occasion of the next payment in
respect of any series of the Debt Securities, be obliged to pay any Additional
Amounts as are referenced in "Taxation by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico"
below, due to a change in law, regulation or interpretation, the Corporation,
PIB or Financial, as the case may be, may, at its option, on the giving of not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice to the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   29
 
Holders of the Debt Securities of each series, redeem such series of the Debt
Securities as a whole at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount
thereof with the accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption or such other
redemption price as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Global Securities
 
     The Debt Securities may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or
more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a
depositary (the "Depositary") identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such Debt Securities. Unless and until it is exchangeable in whole or in part
for Debt Securities in definitive form, a Global Security may not be transferred
except as a whole by the Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of
such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another
nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a
successor of such Depositary or a nominee of such successor.
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement, if any, with respect to a
series of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series. The Corporation, PIB and Financial anticipate that the
following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.
 
     Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
persons that have accounts with the Depositary for such Global Security or its
nominee ("Participant") or persons that may hold interests through Participants.
Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters or agents with respect to
the Debt Securities underwritten or solicited by them or by the Corporation, PIB
or Financial in the case of Debt Securities offered and sold directly by the
Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be. The Corporation, PIB or
Financial, as the case may be, will obtain confirmation from the Depositary that
upon the issuance of a Global Security the Depositary for such Global Security
will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
Participants' accounts with the respective principal amounts of the Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security. Ownership of beneficial
interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of such
ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the
Depositary (with respect to interests of Participants) and on the records of
Participants (with respect to interests of persons held through Participants).
The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such
laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in a
Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
Indentures. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global
Security will not be entitled to have the Debt Securities represented by such
Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of the Debt Securities in definitive form and will not
be considered the owners or Holders thereof under the Indentures. Accordingly,
each person owning a beneficial interest in such a Global Security must rely on
the procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is not a Participant, on
the procedures of the Participant through which such person owns its interests,
to exercise any rights of a Holder under the applicable Indenture. The
Corporation, PIB and Financial understand that under existing industry
practices, in the event that the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may
be, requests any action of Holders or that an owner of a beneficial interest in
such a Global Security desires to give or take any action which a Holder is
entitled to give or take under the applicable Indenture, the Depositary would
authorize the Participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or
take such action, and such Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning
through such Participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act
upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
 
     Payment of principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on Debt
Securities registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee will be made to
the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of
the Global Security representing such Debt Securities. None of the Corporation,
Financial, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any other agent of the Corporation,
PIB, Financial or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   30
 
ownership interests in the Global Security for such Debt Securities or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
 
     The Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, will obtain
confirmation from the Depositary that upon receipt of any payment of principal
of, or premium or interest on, a Global Security, the Depositary will
immediately credit Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate
to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global
Security as shown on the records of the Depositary. Payments by Participants to
owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held through such
Participants will be the responsibility of such Participants, as is now the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in "street names."
 
     If the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented by a Global Security
notifies the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act and a successor Depositary is not appointed by
the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, then within ninety days
after receiving such notice or becoming aware that Depositary is no longer so
registered, the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, will issue
such Debt Securities in definitive form in exchange for such Global Security. In
addition, if an event of default, or an event which with notice or the lapse of
time or both would become an event of default, with respect to the Debt
Securities of a series has occurred and is continuing or either the Corporation,
PIB or Financial, as the case may be, at any time and in its sole discretion
determines not to have the Debt Securities represented by one or more Global
Securities, the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, will issue
Debt Securities in definitive form in exchange for all of the Global Securities
representing such Debt Securities.
 
TAXATION BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO
 
     All payments of, or in respect of, principal of, and any premium or
interest on, the Debt Securities and all payments pursuant to the Guarantees
will be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present
or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature
imposed or levied by or on behalf of Puerto Rico or by or with any district,
municipality or other political subdivision thereof or authority therein having
power to tax unless such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges are
required by law to be withheld or deducted.
 
     In the event that the Corporation or PIB is required by law to deduct or
withhold any amounts in respect of taxes, duties, assessments or governmental
charges, the Corporation or PIB, as the case may be, will pay such additional
amounts of, or in respect of, principal, premium and interest as will result
(after deduction of the said taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges)
in the payment to the Holders of the Debt Securities, of the amounts which would
otherwise have been payable in respect to the Debt Securities in the absence of
such deduction or withholding ("Additional Amounts"), except that no such
Additional Amounts shall be payable:
 
          (i) to any Holder of a Debt Security or any interest therein or rights
     in respect thereof where such deduction or withholding is required by
     reason of such Holder having some connection with Puerto Rico or any
     political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein other than the
     mere holding of and payment in respect of such Debt Security;
 
          (ii) in respect of any deduction or withholding that would not have
     been required but for the presentation by the Holder of a Debt Security for
     payment on a date more than 30 days after Maturity or the date on which
     payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later; or
 
          (iii) in respect of any deduction or withholding that would not have
     been required but for the failure to comply with any certification,
     identification or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality,
     residence, identity or connection with Puerto Rico, or any political
     subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, of the Holder of a Debt
     Security or any interest therein or rights in respect thereof, if
     compliance is required by Puerto Rico, or any political subdivision or
     taxing authority thereof or therein, as a precondition to exemption from
     such deduction or withholding.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   31
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indentures, the Debt Securities and the Guarantees will be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
 
               TERMS APPLICABLE TO THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES OR
                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
MODIFICATION OF THE SENIOR AND SUBORDINATED INDENTURES
 
     The Senior and Subordinated Indentures contain provisions permitting the
Corporation and the respective Trustees, with the consent of Holders of not less
than a majority in principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities or
Subordinated Debt Securities which are affected by the modification, to modify
the particular Indenture or any supplemental indenture or the rights of the
Holders of the Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities issued
under such Indenture; provided that no such modification may, without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Senior Debt Security or Subordinated
Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the stated maturity date of the
principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest, if any, on, any
Senior Debt Security or Subordinated Debt Security, (b) reduce the principal
amount of, or premium or rate of interest, if any, on, any Senior Debt Security
or Subordinated Debt Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original
Issue Discount Security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof, (d)
change the place or coin or currency of payment of principal of, or premium or
interest, if any, on, any Senior Debt Security or Subordinated Debt Security,
(e) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to any Senior Debt Security or Subordinated Debt Security, (f)
reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Senior Debt Security or
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is
required for modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of
compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain
defaults, (g) modify (with certain exceptions) any provision of the Indenture
which requires the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Senior Debt
Security or Subordinated Debt Security affected thereby or (h) with respect to
the Subordinated Indenture, modify the subordination provisions in a manner
adverse to Holders of Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
following provisions shall apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated
Indenture, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of
all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) of the Corporation. In certain events
of insolvency, the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
the Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the
Subordinated Indenture, also be effectively subordinated in right of payment to
the prior payment in full of all Other Financial Obligations (as defined below)
of the Corporation. As of December 31, 1992, $326.9 million aggregate principal
amount of Senior Indebtedness and $727.1 million aggregate principal amount of
Other Financial Obligations of the Corporation were outstanding. Upon any
payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation,
dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, marshalling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
proceedings of the Corporation, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due
or to become due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities
will be entitled to receive any payment in respect of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities. If, upon any such
payment or distribution of assets to creditors, there remain, after giving
effect to such subordination provisions in favor of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Corporation, any amounts of cash, property or securities
available for payment or distribution in respect of Subordinated Debt Securities
(as defined in the Subordinated Indenture, "Corporation Excess Proceeds") and
if, at such time, any person entitled to payment pursuant to the terms of Other
Financial Obligations of
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   32
 
the Corporation has not received payment in full of all amounts due or to become
due on or in respect of such Other Financial Obligations of the Corporation,
then such Corporation Excess Proceeds shall first be applied to pay or provide
for the payment in full of such Other Financial Obligations of the Corporation
before any payment or distribution may be made in respect of the Subordinated
Debt Securities. In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any
Subordinated Debt Securities, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due
or to become due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities
will be entitled to receive any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities. Accordingly, in case of such an
acceleration, all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation would have to be repaid
before any payment could be made in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
No payments on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of
the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if there shall have occurred and be
continuing a default in any payment with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of
the Corporation, or an event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness
of the Corporation permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity
thereof, or if any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such
default.
 
     By reason of such subordination, in the event of the insolvency of the
Corporation, creditors of the Corporation who are not are not holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Corporation or the Subordinated Debt Securities may recover
less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation and may
recover more, ratably, than Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     "Senior Indebtedness" of the Corporation is defined in the Subordinated
Indenture to mean the principal of premium, if any, and interest on (i) all
indebtedness of the Corporation for money borrowed (including indebtedness of
others guaranteed by the Corporation) other than the Subordinated Debt
Securities, whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or
thereafter created, assumed or incurred and (ii) any amendments, renewals,
extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness, unless in
either case in the instrument creating or evidencing any such indebtedness or
pursuant to which it is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness is not
superior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities. For the
purposes of this definition," indebtedness for money borrowed" is defined as (i)
any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, the Corporation for the
repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes or other written instruments, (ii) any deferred payment obligation of, or
any such obligation guaranteed by, the Corporation for the payment of the
purchase price of property or assets evidenced by a note or similar instrument,
and (iii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, the
Corporation for the payment of rent or other amounts under a lease of property
or assets which obligation is required to be classified and accounted for as a
capitalized lease on the balance sheet of the Corporation under generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
     "Other Financial Obligations" of the Corporation is defined in the
Subordinated Indenture to mean all obligations of the Corporation to make
payment pursuant to the terms of financial instruments, such as (i) securities
contracts and foreign currency exchange contracts, (ii) derivative instruments,
such as swap agreements (including interest rate and currency and foreign
exchange rate swap agreements), cap agreements, floor agreements, collar
agreements, interest rate agreements, foreign exchange agreements, options,
commodity futures contracts, commodity options contracts and (iii) similar
financial instruments; provided that the term Other Financial Obligations shall
not include (x) obligations on account of Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation
and (y) obligations on account of indebtedness for money borrowed ranking pari
passu with or subordinate to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  Senior Indenture
 
     An Event of Default with respect to Senior Debt Securities of any series is
defined in the Senior Indenture as being: default for 30 days in payment of any
interest on Senior Debt Securities of such series; default in payment of
principal of, or premium, if any, any Senior Debt Securities of such series;
default in deposit of any mandatory sinking fund payment required by the Senior
Debt Securities of such series; default for 60 days after notice, in performance
or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the Senior Indenture
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   33
 
(except for a covenant expressly relating to a series of Senior Debt Securities
other than that series of Senior Debt Securities) or in the Senior Debt
Securities of such series; acceleration of the Senior Debt Securities of any
other series or any other indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporation or
any Material Banking Subsidiary, in each case exceeding $10,000,000 in an
aggregate principal amount, as a result of a default under the terms of the
instrument or instruments under which such indebtedness is issued or secured,
unless such acceleration is annulled within 30 days after written notice as
provided in the Indenture, provided that if such default is remedied or cured by
the Corporation or any Material Banking Subsidiary or waived by holders of such
indebtedness, the Event of Default by reason thereof shall be deemed to have
been thereupon remedied, cured or waived; certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Corporation or any Material
Banking Subsidiary; or any other Event of Default specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. In case an Event of Default with respect to Senior Debt
Securities of any series shall occur and be continuing, the Senior Trustee or
the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Senior Debt
Securities of such series then outstanding may declare the principal of all such
Senior Debt Securities of such series to be due and payable. The Corporation is
required to furnish to the Senior Trustee annually a statement as to the
performance by the Corporation of its obligations under the Senior Indenture and
as to any default in such performance. Under certain circumstances any
declaration of acceleration with respect to Senior Debt Securities of any series
may be rescinded and past defaults (except a default in the payment of principal
of or interest on the Senior Debt Securities) may be waived by the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of such
series then outstanding. The Senior Indenture provides that the Senior Trustee
may withhold notice to the Holders of Senior Debt Securities of any series of
any continuing default (except in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
if any) or interest on any Senior Debt Securities of such series) if such Senior
Trustee considers it in the interest of Holders of such series of Senior Debt
Securities to do so.
 
  Subordinated Indenture
 
     An Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any
series is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as being certain events
involving a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Corporation. If an
Event of Default with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of any series
shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Subordinated Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Debt Securities of such series then outstanding may declare the principal of the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to be due and payable immediately.
The Corporation is required to furnish to the Subordinated Trustee annually a
statement as to the performance by the Corporation of its obligations under the
Subordinated Indenture and as to any default in such performance. Under certain
circumstances, any declaration of acceleration with respect to Subordinated Debt
Securities of any series may be rescinded and past defaults (except a default in
the payment of principal of or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities) may
be waived by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then outstanding. The Subordinated
Indenture provides that the Subordinated Trustee may withhold notice to the
Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series of any continuing
default (except in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any Subordinated Debt Securities of such series) if the Subordinated
Trustee considers it in the interest of the Holders of such series of
Subordinated Debt Securities to do so.
 
     The Subordinated Indenture does not provide for any right of acceleration
of the payment of principal of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities upon a
default in the payment of principal or interest or in the performance of any
covenant or agreement in the Subordinated Debt Securities of the particular
series or in the Subordinated Indenture.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
 
     The Corporation has covenanted in the Senior and Subordinated Indentures
that it will not merge or consolidate with any other corporation or sell,
convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to any person,
firm or corporation unless the Corporation is the continuing corporation or the
successor corporation expressly assumes the obligations under any outstanding
Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   34
 
Debt Securities and the respective Senior and Subordinated Indentures and the
Corporation or such successor corporation is not, immediately after such merger,
consolidation, sale or conveyance, in default in the performance of any of the
covenants or conditions of the respective Indenture. The Indentures do not
contain any other covenant which restricts the Corporation's ability to merge or
consolidate with any other corporation, sell, convey, transfer or lease all or
substantially all of its assets to any persons, firm or corporation or otherwise
engage in restructuring transactions.
 
                   TERMS APPLICABLE TO GUARANTEED SECURITIES
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     The Guaranteed Indenture contains provisions permitting Financial, the
Corporation and the Guaranteed Trustee, with the consent of Holders of not less
than a majority in principal amount of the Guaranteed Securities which are
affected by the modification, to modify the Guaranteed Indenture or any
supplemental indenture or the rights of the Holders of the Guaranteed Securities
issued under such Indenture, provided that no such modification may, without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Guaranteed Security affected thereby,
(a) change the stated maturity date of the principal of, or any installment of
principal of or interest, if any, on, any Guaranteed Security, (b) reduce the
principal amount of, or premium or rate of interest, if any, on, any Guaranteed
Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Guaranteed Security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof, (d)
change the place or coin or currency of payment of principal of, or premium or
interest, if any, on, any Guaranteed Security, (e) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Guaranteed
Security, (f) modify or affect in any manner adverse to Holders the terms and
conditions of the obligations of the Guarantor in respect of the due and
punctual payment of principal or any premium and interest, sinking fund payment
or Additional Amounts in respect of the Guaranteed Securities, (g) reduce the
percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Guaranteed Securities of any
series the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of
the Guaranteed Indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of
the Guaranteed Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults, or (h) modify (with
certain exceptions) any provisions of the Guaranteed Indenture which require the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Guaranteed Security affected thereby.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     An Event of Default with respect to Guaranteed Securities of any series is
defined in the Guaranteed Indenture as being: default for 30 days in payment of
any interest on Guaranteed Securities of such series; default in payment of
principal of (or premium, if any) on any Guaranteed Security of such series;
default in deposit of any mandatory sinking fund payment required by the
Guaranteed Securities of such series; default for 60 days, after notice, in
performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the Guaranteed
Indenture (except for a covenant expressly relating to a series of Guaranteed
Securities other than that series of Guaranteed Securities) or in the Guaranteed
Securities of such series; acceleration of the Guaranteed Securities of any
other series or any other indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporation,
Financial or any Material Banking Subsidiary, in each case exceeding $10,000,000
in an aggregate principal amount, as a result of a default under the terms of
the instrument or instruments under which such indebtedness is issued or
secured, unless such acceleration is annulled within 30 days after written
notice as provided in the Indenture, provided that if such default is remedied
or cured by the Corporation, Financial or any Material Banking Subsidiary or
waived by the holders of such indebtedness, the Event of Default by reason
thereof shall be deemed to have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived;
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Corporation,
any Material Banking Subsidiary or Financial; or any other Event of Default
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In case an Event of Default
with respect to Guaranteed Securities of any series shall occur and be
continuing, the Guaranteed Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of the Guaranteed Securities of such series then outstanding
may declare the principal of all the Guaranteed Securities of such series to be
due and payable. Financial and the Corporation are required to furnish to the
Guaranteed Trustee annually a statement or statements as to the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   35
 
performance by Financial and the Corporation of their respective obligations
under the Guaranteed Indenture of such series and as to any default in such
performance. Under certain circumstances any declaration of acceleration with
respect to Guaranteed Securities of any series may be rescinded and past
defaults (except a default in the payment of principal of or interest on the
Guaranteed Securities) may be waived by the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Guaranteed Securities of such series then outstanding.
The Guaranteed Indenture provides that the Guaranteed Trustee may withhold
notice to the Holders of Guaranteed Securities of any series of any continuing
default (except in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any Guaranteed Securities of such series) if such Guaranteed Trustee
considers it in the interest of Holders of such series of Guaranteed Securities
to do so.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
 
     Each of the Corporation and Financial has covenanted in the Guaranteed
Indenture that it will not merge or consolidate with any other corporation or
sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to any
person, firm or corporation unless the Corporation or Financial, as the case may
be, is the continuing corporation or the successor corporation expressly
assumes, in the case of Financial, or guarantees, in the case of the
Corporation, the obligations under the Guaranteed Securities and the Guaranteed
Indenture and the Corporation or Financial, as the case may be, or such
successor corporation is not, immediately after such merger, consolidation, sale
or conveyance, in default in the performance of any of the covenants or
conditions of the Guaranteed Indenture. The Guaranteed Indenture does not
contain any other covenant which restricts the Corporation's or Financial's
ability to merge or consolidate with any other corporation, sell, convey,
transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to any person, firm or
corporation or otherwise engage in restructuring transactions.
 
GUARANTEE
 
     The Corporation will guarantee the punctual payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Guaranteed Securities, when and as the same
are due and payable. The guarantee is absolute and unconditional, irrespective
of any circumstance that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable
discharge of a surety or guarantor. To evidence the guarantee, a Guarantee,
executed by the Corporation, will be endorsed on each Guaranteed Security.
Holders of the Guaranteed Securities may proceed directly against the
Corporation in the event of default under the Guaranteed Securities without
first proceeding against Financial. The Guarantees will rank pari passu with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Corporation.
 
               TERMS APPLICABLE TO THE PIB SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
                      OR PIB SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
MODIFICATION OF THE PIB SENIOR AND PIB SUBORDINATED INDENTURES
 
     The PIB Senior and PIB Subordinated Indentures contain provisions
permitting the Corporation, PIB and the respective PIB Trustees, with the
consent of Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the PIB
Senior Debt Securities or PIB Subordinated Debt Securities which are affected by
the modification, to modify the particular Indenture or any supplemental
indenture or the rights of the Holders of the PIB Senior Debt Securities or PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities issued under such Indenture; provided that no such
modification may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding PIB
Senior Debt Security or PIB Subordinated Debt Security affected thereby, (a)
change the stated maturity date of the principal of, or any installment of
principal of or interest, if any, on, any PIB Senior Debt Security or PIB
Subordinated Debt Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or premium or
rate of interest, if any, on, any PIB Senior Debt Security or PIB Subordinated
Debt Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof, (d) change the place
or coin or currency of payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any,
on, any PIB Senior Debt Security or PIB Subordinated Debt Security, (e) impair
the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with
respect to any PIB Senior Debt Security or PIB Subordinated Debt Security, (f)
reduce the percentage
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   36
 
in principal amount of Outstanding PIB Senior Debt Security or PIB Subordinated
Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults, (g)
modify (with certain exceptions) any provision of the Indenture which requires
the consent of Holders of each Outstanding PIB Senior Debt Security or PIB
Subordinated Debt Security affected thereby or (h) with respect to the PIB
Subordinated Indenture, modify the subordination provisions in a manner adverse
to Holders of Outstanding PIB Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
following provisions shall apply to the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities and the
guarantee of them by the Corporation.
 
     The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities and the Corporation's Guarantees thereof (the
"Subordinated Guarantees") will, to the extent set forth in the PIB Subordinated
Indenture, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of
all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) of PIB or the Corporation, as the
case may be. In certain events of insolvency, the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities and any
payments with respect to the Subordinated Guarantees will, to the extent set
forth in the PIB Subordinated Indenture, also be effectively subordinated in
right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Other Financial Obligations
(as defined below) of PIB or the Corporation, as the case may be. As of December
31, 1992, $166.5 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Indebtedness and
no Other Financial Obligations of PIB were outstanding. Upon any payment or
distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding
up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshalling of
assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings of PIB or the
Corporation, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness thereof will first be
entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due thereon
before the Holders of the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated
Guarantees will be entitled to receive any payment in respect of the principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities or the
Subordinated Guarantees, as the case may be. If, upon any such payment or
distribution of assets to creditors, there remain, after giving effect to such
subordination provisions in favor of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of PIB
and the Corporation, any amounts of cash, property or securities available for
payment or distribution in respect of PIB Subordinated Debt Securities or the
Subordinated Guarantees (as defined in the PIB Subordinated Indenture, "PIB
Excess Proceeds") and if, at such time, any person entitled to payment pursuant
to the terms of Other Financial Obligations of PIB or the Corporation (as
defined in the PIB Subordinated Indenture, "PIB Entitled Person") has not
received payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of
such Other Financial Obligations of PIB or the Corporation, then such PIB Excess
Proceeds shall first be applied to pay or provide for the payment in full of
such Other Financial Obligations of PIB or the Corporation, as the case may be,
before any payment or distribution may be made in respect of the PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated Guarantees. In the event of the
acceleration of the maturity of any PIB Subordinated Debt Securities, the
holders of all Senior Indebtedness of PIB or the Corporation, as the case may
be, will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to
become due thereon before the Holders of the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities or
the Subordinated Guarantees will be entitled to receive any payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the PIB Subordinated Debt
Securities or the Subordinated Guarantees, as the case may be. Accordingly, in
case of such an acceleration, all Senior Indebtedness of PIB or the Corporation
would have to be repaid before any payment could be made in respect of the PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated Guarantees, as the case may be.
No payments on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of
the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated Guarantees may be made
if there shall have occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with
respect to any Senior Indebtedness of PIB or the Corporation, an event of
default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of PIB or the Corporation
permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof, or if any
judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   37
 
     By reason of such subordination, in the event of the insolvency of PIB or
the Corporation, creditors of PIB or the Corporation who are not are not holders
of Senior Indebtedness, the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated
Guarantees may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness of PIB
or the Corporation, as the case may be, and may recover more, ratably, than
Holders of the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated Guarantees.
 
     "Senior Indebtedness" of PIB is defined in the PIB Subordinated Indenture
to mean the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on (i) all indebtedness
of PIB for money borrowed (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by PIB)
other than the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities, whether outstanding on the date
of the PIB Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred and
(ii) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any
such indebtedness, unless in either case in the instrument creating or
evidencing any such indebtedness or pursuant to which it is outstanding it is
provided that such indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to the PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities. For the purposes of this definition, "indebtedness
for money borrowed" is defined as (i) any obligation of, or any obligation
guaranteed by, PIB for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced
by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, (ii) any deferred
payment obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, PIB for the payment
of the purchase price of property or assets evidenced by a note or similar
instrument, and (iii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by,
PIB for the payment of rent or other amounts under a lease of property or assets
which obligation is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized
lease on the balance sheet of PIB under generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
     "Other Financial Obligations" of PIB is defined in the PIB Subordinated
Indenture to mean all obligations of PIB to make payment pursuant to the terms
of financial instruments, such as (i) securities contracts and foreign currency
exchange contracts, (ii) derivative instruments, such as swap agreements
(including interest rate and currency and foreign exchange rate swap
agreements), cap agreements, floor agreements, collar agreements, interest rate
agreements, foreign exchange agreements, options, commodity futures contracts,
commodity options contracts and (iii) similar financial instruments; provided
that the term Other Financial Obligations shall not include (x) obligations on
account of Senior Indebtedness of PIB and (y) obligations on account of
indebtedness for money borrowed ranking pari passu with or subordinate to the
PIB Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
     "Senior Indebtedness" of the Corporation is defined in the PIB Subordinated
Indenture to mean the principal of premium, if any, and interest on (i) all
indebtedness of the Corporation for money borrowed (including indebtedness of
others guaranteed by the Corporation other than the Subordinated Guarantees,
whether outstanding on the date of the PIB Subordinated Indenture or thereafter
created, assumed or incurred and (ii) any amendments, renewals, extensions,
modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness, unless in either case in
the instrument creating or evidencing any such indebtedness or pursuant to which
it is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness is not superior in right
of payment to the Subordinated Guarantees. For the purposes of this definition,
"indebtedness for money borrowed" is defined as (i) any obligation of, or any
obligation guaranteed by, the Corporation for the repayment of borrowed money,
whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written
instruments, (ii) any deferred payment obligation of, or any such obligation
guaranteed by, the Corporation for the payment of the purchase price of property
or assets evidenced by a note or similar instrument, and (iii) any obligation
of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, the Corporation for the payment of
rent or other amounts under a lease of property or assets which obligation is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease on the
balance sheet of the Corporation under generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     "Other Financial Obligations" of the Corporation is defined in the PIB
Subordinated Indenture to mean all obligations of the Corporation to make
payment pursuant to the terms of financial instruments, such as (i) securities
contracts and foreign currency exchange contracts, (ii) derivative instruments,
such as swap agreements (including interest rate and currency and foreign
exchange rate swap agreements), cap agreements, floor agreements, collar
agreements, interest rate agreements, foreign exchange agreements, options,
commodity futures contracts, commodity options contracts and (iii) similar
financial instruments; provided that the term Other Financial Obligations shall
not include (x) obligations on account of Senior Indebtedness
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   38
 
and (y) obligations on account of indebtedness for money borrowed ranking pari
passu with or subordinate to the Subordinated Guarantees.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  PIB Senior Indenture
 
     An Event of Default with respect to PIB Senior Debt Securities of any
series is defined in the PIB Senior Indenture as being: default for 30 days in
payment of any interest on PIB Senior Debt Securities of such series; default in
payment of principal of (or premium on, if any) any PIB Senior Debt Securities
of such series; default in deposit of any mandatory sinking fund payment
required by the PIB Senior Debt Securities of such series; default for 60 days,
after notice, in performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the
PIB Senior Indenture (except for a covenant expressly relating to a series of
PIB Senior Debt Securities other than that series of PIB Senior Debt Securities)
or in the PIB Senior Debt Securities of such series; acceleration of the PIB
Senior Debt Securities of any other series or any other indebtedness for
borrowed money, of the Corporation, PIB or any Material Banking Subsidiary, in
each case in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000, as a result of
a default under the terms of the instrument or instruments under which such
indebtedness is issued or secured, unless such acceleration is annulled within
30 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture, provided that if such
default is remedied or cured by the Corporation, PIB or any Material Banking
Subsidiary or waived by holders of such indebtedness, the Event of Default by
reason thereof shall be deemed to have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived;
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the
Corporation, PIB or any Material Banking Subsidiary; or any other Event of
Default specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In case an Event of
Default with respect to PIB Senior Debt Securities of any series shall occur and
be continuing, the PIB Senior Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of the PIB Senior Debt Securities of such series then
outstanding may declare the principal of all the PIB Senior Debt Securities of
such series to be due and payable. The Corporation and PIB are required to
furnish to the PIB Senior Trustee annually a statement as to the performance by
the Corporation and PIB of their respective obligations under the PIB Senior
Indenture and as to any default in such performance. Under certain circumstances
any declaration of acceleration with respect to PIB Senior Debt Securities of
any series may be rescinded and past defaults (except a default in the payment
of principal of or interest on the PIB Senior Debt Securities) may be waived by
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the PIB Senior Debt
Securities of such series then outstanding. The PIB Senior Indenture provides
that the PIB Senior Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of PIB Senior
Debt Securities of any series of any continuing default (except in the payment
of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any PIB Senior Debt
Securities of such series) if such PIB Senior Trustee considers it in the
interest of Holders of such series of PIB Senior Debt Securities to do so.
 
  PIB Subordinated Indenture
 
     An Event of Default with respect to the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities of
any series is defined in the PIB Subordinated Indenture as being certain events
involving a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Corporation or PIB.
If an Event of Default with respect to PIB Subordinated Debt Securities of any
series shall have occurred and be continuing, either the PIB Subordinated
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
PIB Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then outstanding may declare the
principal of the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to be due and
payable immediately. The Corporation and PIB are required to furnish to the PIB
Subordinated Trustee annually a statement as to the performance by the
Corporation and PIB of their respective obligations under the PIB Subordinated
Indenture and as to any default in such performance. Under certain
circumstances, any declaration of acceleration with respect to PIB Subordinated
Debt Securities of any series may be rescinded and past defaults (except a
default in the payment of principal of or interest on the PIB Subordinated Debt
Securities) may be waived by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then outstanding.
The PIB Subordinated Indenture provides that the PIB Subordinated Trustee may
withhold notice to the Holders of the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities of any
series of any continuing default (except in the payment of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   39
 
on any PIB Subordinated Debt Securities of such series) if the PIB Subordinated
Trustee considers it in the interest of the Holders of such series of PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities to do so.
 
     The PIB Subordinated Indenture does not provide for any right of
acceleration of the payment of principal of a series of PIB Subordinated Debt
Securities upon a default in the payment of principal or interest or in the
performance of any covenant or agreement in the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities
of the particular series, in the PIB Subordinated Indenture or in the
Subordinated Guarantees.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
 
     The Corporation and PIB have each covenanted in the PIB Senior and PIB
Subordinated Indentures that it will not merge or consolidate with any other
corporation or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its
assets to any person, firm or corporation unless the Corporation or PIB, as the
case may be, is the continuing corporation or the successor corporation
expressly assumes the obligations under any outstanding PIB Senior Debt
Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities and the Subordinated Guarantees and
the respective PIB Senior and PIB Subordinated Indentures and the Corporation,
or PIB, as the case may be, or such successor corporation is not, immediately
after such merger, consolidation, sale or conveyance, in default in the
performance of any of the covenants or conditions of the respective Indenture.
The Indentures do not contain any other covenant which restricts the
Corporation's or PIB's ability to merge or consolidate with any other
corporation, sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its
assets to any persons, firm or corporation or otherwise engage in restructuring
transactions.
 
GUARANTEE
 
     PIB Senior Debt Securities. The Corporation will guarantee the punctual
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the PIB Senior
Debt Securities, when and as the same are due and payable. The guarantee is
absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any circumstance that might
otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor. To
evidence the guarantee, a Guarantee, executed by the Corporation, will be
endorsed on each PIB Senior Debt Security. Holders of the PIB Senior Debt
Securities may proceed directly against the Corporation in the event of default
under the PIB Senior Debt Securities without first proceeding against PIB. The
Guarantees will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations of the Corporation.
 
     PIB Subordinated Debt Securities. The Corporation will guarantee the
punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities, when and as the same are due and payable. The
guarantee is absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any circumstance that
might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or
guarantor. To evidence the guarantee, a Guarantee, executed by the Corporation,
will be endorsed on each PIB Subordinated Debt Security. Holders of the PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities may proceed directly against the Corporation in the
event of default under the PIB Subordinated Debt Securities without first
proceeding against PIB. The Subordinated Guarantees will rank pari passu with
all other unsecured and subordinated obligations of the Corporation. See
"Subordination."
 
               DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK OF THE CORPORATION
 
     The following summary contains a description of certain general terms of
the Corporation's preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock") to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. Certain terms of any series of the Preferred
Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the
terms of any series may differ from the terms set forth below. The description
of certain provisions of the Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and
is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of
the Corporation's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the
Certificate of Designation describing the Series A Participating Preferred Stock
and the Certificate of Resolution (the "Certificate of Resolution") relating to
each particular series of the Preferred Stock, each of which will be filed or
incorporated by reference, as the
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   40
 
case may be, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part at or prior to the time of the issuance of such Preferred
Stock.
 
GENERAL
 
     Under the Corporation's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of
Directors of the Corporation is authorized, without further stockholder action,
to provide for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock (of
which 350,000 shares have been authorized and designated but not issued for the
Series A Participating Preferred Stock), without par value, in one or more
series, with such designations of titles; dividend rates; special or relative
rights in the event of a liquidation, distribution or sale of assets or
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; sinking fund provisions;
redemption or purchase account provisions; conversion provisions; and voting
rights, as shall be set forth as and when established by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation. The shares of any series of Preferred Stock will be, when
issued, fully paid and non-assessable and holders thereof shall have no
preemptive rights in connection therewith.
 
     The liquidation preference of any series of the Preferred Stock is not
necessarily indicative of the price at which shares of such series of Preferred
Stock will actually trade at or after the time of their issuance. The market
price of any series of Preferred Stock can be expected to fluctuate with changes
in market and economic conditions, the financial condition and prospects of the
Corporation and other factors that generally influence the market prices of
securities.
 
RANK
 
     Any series of the Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and
rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution rank (i) senior to all classes
of common stock of the Corporation and with all equity securities issued by the
Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities
will rank junior to the Preferred Stock (collectively referred to as the "Junior
Securities"); (ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued by the
Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities
will rank on a parity with the Preferred Stock, (collectively referred to as the
"Parity Securities"); and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the
Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities
will rank senior to the Preferred Stock. As used in any Certificate of
Resolution for these purposes, the term "equity securities" will not include
debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     Holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation out of
funds legally available therefor, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates
as are set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of the
Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of the Preferred
Stock as they appear on the books of the Corporation on such record dates as
shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. Dividends on any series of Preferred
Stock may be cumulative or non-cumulative. The Corporation's ability to pay
dividends on its Preferred Stock is subject to policies established by the
Federal Reserve Board. See "Certain Regulatory Matters -- Dividend
Restrictions."
 
     No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the
payment of dividends on any Parity Securities unless dividends shall have been
paid or set apart for such payment on the Preferred Stock. If full dividends are
not so paid, the Preferred Stock shall share dividends pro rata with the Parity
Securities.
 
     The holders of any series of shares of Preferred Stock at the close of
business on a dividend payment record date will be entitled to receive the
dividend payable on such shares (except that holders of shares called for
redemption on a redemption date occurring between such record date and the
dividend payment date shall not be entitled to receive such dividend on such
dividend payment date but instead will receive accrued and unpaid dividends to
such redemption date) on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding
the conversion thereof or the Corporation's default in payment of the dividend
due. Except as provided above, the
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   41
 
Corporation will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or
not in arrears, on converted shares or for dividends on the shares of preferred
stock or issued upon conversion.
 
CONVERSION
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for any series of the Preferred Stock will state
the terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into shares of
another series of preferred stock of the Corporation.
 
     For any series of Preferred Stock which is convertible, the Corporation
shall at all times reserve and keep available, out of the aggregate of its
authorized but unissued preferred stock or preferred stock held in its treasury
or both, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of such
series of Preferred Stock, the full number of shares of preferred stock then
deliverable upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of such series.
 
     No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares of preferred
stock will be issued upon the conversion of shares of any series of convertible
Preferred Stock. Each holder to whom fractional shares would otherwise be issued
will instead be entitled to receive, at the Corporation's election, either (a) a
cash payment equal to the current market price of such holder's fractional
interest or (b) a cash payment equal to such holder's proportionate interest in
the net proceeds (following the deduction of applicable transaction costs) from
the sale promptly by an agent, on behalf of such holders, of shares of preferred
stock representing the aggregate of such fractional shares.
 
EXCHANGEABILITY
 
     If so determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, the holders
of shares of Preferred Stock of any series may be obligated at any time or at
maturity to exchange such shares for preferred stock or debt securities of the
Corporation. The terms of any such exchange and any such preferred stock or debt
securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
series of Preferred Stock.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     A series of Preferred Stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in
part, at the option of the Corporation or the holder thereof upon terms and at
the redemption prices set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
series.
 
     In the event of partial redemptions of Preferred Stock, whether by
mandatory or optional redemption, the shares to be redeemed will be determined
by lot or pro rata, as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation or by any other method determined to be equitable by the Board of
Directors.
 
     On or after a redemption date, unless the Corporation defaults in the
payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of
Preferred Stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of such shares
will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.
 
     Under current regulations, bank holding companies may not exercise any
option to redeem shares of preferred stock included as Tier 1 capital, or
exchange such preferred stock for debt securities, without the prior approval of
the Federal Reserve Board. Ordinarily, the Federal Reserve Board would not
permit such a redemption unless (1) the shares are redeemed with the proceeds of
a sale by the bank holding company of common stock or perpetual preferred stock
or (2) the Federal Reserve Board determines that the bank holding company's
condition and circumstances warrant the reduction of a source of permanent
capital.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
     Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Corporation, holders of each series of Preferred Stock that ranks senior to
the Junior Securities will be entitled to receive out of assets of the
Corporation available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution
is made on any Junior Securities, including Common Stock, distributions upon
liquidation in the amount set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
such series of Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   42
 
dividends. If upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to the Preferred
Stock of any series and any other Parity Securities are not paid in full, the
holders of the Preferred Stock of such series and the Parity Securities will
share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Corporation in
proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which each is entitled. After
payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference to which they are
entitled, the holders of such series of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to
any further participation in any distribution of assets of the Corporation.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Except as indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of Preferred Stock, or except as expressly required by applicable law,
the holders of the Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.
 
     Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, if the holders of
shares of any series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation became entitled to
vote for the election of directors, such series may then be deemed a "class of
voting securities" and a holder of 25% or more of such series (or a holder of 5%
if it otherwise exercises a "controlling influence" over the Corporation) may
then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company in accordance with the
BHC Act. In addition, at such time as such series is deemed a class of voting
securities, (i) any other bank holding company may be required to obtain the
approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire or retain 5% or more of such
series, and (ii) any person other than a bank holding company may be required to
file with the Federal Reserve Board under the Change in Bank Control Act to
acquire or retain 10% or more of such series.
 
     Section 12 of the Banking Law requires the prior approval of the Office of
the Commissioner to obtain control of any bank organized under the Banking Law.
The Banking Law requires that in any transfer of voting and outstanding capital
stock of any bank organized under the laws of Puerto Rico to any person or
entity that, upon consummation of the transfer, will become the owner, directly
or indirectly, of more that 5% of the voting and outstanding capital stock of
said bank, the parties to the transfer shall inform the Office of the
Commissioner of the proposed transfer at least 60 days prior to the date such
transfer is to be effected. The Banking Law does not contain any provision
allowing for the extension of such 60-day time period. The transfer requires the
approval of the Office of the Commissioner if it results in a change of control
of the bank. For the purposes of Section 12 of the Banking Law, the term
"control" means the power to, directly or indirectly, direct or influence
decisively the administration or the norms of the bank. The Department of the
Treasury (predecessor to the Office of the Commissioner) made a determination
that the foregoing provisions of the Banking Law are applicable to a change in
control of the Corporation in a letter dated April 9, 1985.
 
     Pursuant to Section 12(d) of the Banking Law, as soon as the Office of the
Commissioner receives notice of a proposed transaction that may result in the
control or in a change of control of a bank, the Office of the Commissioner
shall have the duty to make the necessary investigations. The Office of the
Commissioner shall issue authorization for the transfer of control of the bank
if the results of his investigations are in his judgment satisfactory. The
decision of the Office of the Commissioner is final and unreviewable.
 
                     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK OF PIB
 
     The following summary contains a description of certain general terms of
the PIB Preferred Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. Certain
terms of any series of the Preferred Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. If so indicated
in the Prospectus Supplement, the terms of any series may differ from the terms
set forth below. The description of certain provisions of the PIB Preferred
Stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to the provisions of the PIB's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, and the Certificate of Amendment relating to each
particular series of the PIB Preferred Stock, each of which will be filed or
incorporated by reference, as the case may be, as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part at or prior to the time of the
issuance of such PIB Preferred Stock.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   43
 
     The authorized capital stock of PIB consists of 1,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, par value $5.00 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par
value $25.00 per share. The preferred stock is issuable in one or more series,
with such terms, and at such times and for such consideration as the Board of
Directors of PIB determines. As of the date of this Prospectus, there were
issued and outstanding no shares of preferred stock. All of the common stock of
PIB is owned by the Corporation.
 
GENERAL
 
     Under the PIB's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of the
Corporation is authorized, without further stockholder action, to provide for
the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $25.00 per
share, in one or more series, with such designations of titles; dividend rates;
special or relative rights in the event of a liquidation, distribution or sale
of assets or dissolution or winding up of PIB; sinking fund provisions; any
redemption or purchase account provisions; conversion provisions; and voting
rights, as shall be set forth as and when established by the Board of Directors
of PIB. The shares of any series of PIB Preferred Stock will be, when issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and holders thereof shall have no preemptive rights
in connection therewith.
 
     The liquidation preference of any series of the PIB Preferred Stock is not
necessarily indicative of the price at which shares of such series of PIB
Preferred Stock will actually trade at or after the time of their issuance. The
market price of any series of PIB Preferred Stock can be expected to fluctuate
with changes in market and economic conditions, the financial condition and
prospects of the Corporation and other factors that generally influence the
market prices of securities.
 
RANK
 
     Any series of PIB Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and
rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution rank (i) senior to all classes
of common stock of PIB and with all equity securities issued by PIB the terms of
which specifically provide that such equity securities will rank junior to the
PIB Preferred Stock (collectively referred to as the "PIB Junior Securities");
(ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued by PIB, the terms of which
specifically provide that such equity securities will rank on a parity with the
PIB Preferred Stock, (collectively referred to as the "PIB Parity Securities");
and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by PIB, the terms of which
specifically provide that such equity securities will rank senior to the PIB
Preferred Stock (collectively referred to as the "PIB Senior Securities"). As
used in any Certificate of Amendment for these purposes, the term "equity
securities" will not include debt securities convertible into or exchangeable
for equity securities.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     Holders of each series of PIB Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of PIB out of funds legally
available therefor, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates as are set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of the PIB Preferred
Stock. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of the PIB Preferred Stock
as they appear on the books of PIB on such record dates as shall be fixed by the
Board of Directors. Dividends on any series of PIB Preferred Stock may be
cumulative or non-cumulative. PIB's ability to pay dividends on its Preferred
Stock is subject to policies established by the Federal Reserve Board. See
"Certain Regulatory Matters -- Dividend Restrictions."
 
     No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the
payment of dividends on any PIB Parity Securities unless dividends shall have
been paid or set apart for such payment on the PIB Preferred Stock. If full
dividends are not so paid, the PIB Preferred Stock shall share dividends pro
rata with the PIB Parity Securities.
 
     The holders of any series of shares of PIB Preferred Stock at the close of
business on a dividend payment record date will be entitled to receive the
dividend payable on such shares (except that holders of shares called for
redemption on a redemption date occurring between such record date and the
dividend payment date shall not be entitled to receive such dividend on such
dividend payment date but instead will receive accrued and
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   44
 
unpaid dividends to such redemption date) on the corresponding dividend payment
date notwithstanding the conversion thereof or PIB's default in payment of the
dividend due. Except as provided above, PIB will make no payment or allowance
for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on converted shares or for
dividends on the shares of preferred stock issued upon conversion.
 
CONVERSION
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for any series of the PIB Preferred Stock will
state the terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into
shares of another series of preferred stock of PIB.
 
     For any series of PIB Preferred Stock which is convertible, PIB shall at
all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of the
aggregate of its authorized but unissued preferred stock or shares of preferred
stock held in its treasury or both, for the purpose of effecting the conversion
of the shares of such series of PIB Preferred Stock, the full number of shares
of preferred stock then deliverable upon the conversion of all outstanding
shares of such series.
 
     No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares of preferred
stock will be issued upon the conversion of shares of any series of convertible
PIB Preferred Stock. Each holder to whom fractional shares would otherwise be
issued will instead be entitled to receive, at PIB's election, either (a) a cash
payment equal to the current market price of such holder's fractional interest
or (b) a cash payment equal to such holder's proportionate interest in the net
proceeds (following the deduction of applicable transaction costs) from the sale
promptly by an agent, on behalf of such holders, of shares of preferred stock
representing the aggregate of such fractional shares.
 
EXCHANGEABILITY
 
     If so determined by the Board of Directors of PIB, the holders of shares of
PIB Preferred Stock of any series may be obligated at any time or at maturity to
exchange such shares for preferred stock or debt securities of PIB. The terms of
any such exchange and any such preferred stock or debt securities will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of PIB Preferred
Stock.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     A series of PIB Preferred Stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or
in part, at the option of PIB or the holder thereof upon terms and at the
redemption prices set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
series.
 
     In the event of partial redemptions of PIB Preferred Stock, whether by
mandatory or optional redemption, the shares to be redeemed will be determined
by lot or pro rata, as may be determined by the Board of Directors of PIB or by
any other method determined to be equitable by the Board of Directors.
 
     On or after a redemption date, unless PIB defaults in the payment of the
redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of PIB Preferred
Stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of such shares will
terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.
 
     Under current regulations, bank holding companies may not exercise any
option to redeem shares of preferred stock included as Tier 1 capital, or
exchange such preferred stock for debt securities, without the prior approval of
the Federal Reserve Board. Ordinarily, the Federal Reserve Board would not
permit such a redemption unless (1) the shares are redeemed with the proceeds of
a sale by the bank holding company of common stock or perpetual preferred stock
or (2) the Federal Reserve Board determines that the bank holding company's
condition and circumstances warrant the reduction of a source of permanent
capital.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
     Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
PIB, holders of each series of PIB Preferred Stock that ranks senior to the PIB
Junior Securities will be entitled to receive out of assets of PIB available for
distribution to shareholders, before any distribution is made on any PIB Junior
Securities,
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   45
 
including common stock, distributions upon liquidation in the amount set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock, plus an
amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends. If upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of PIB the amounts payable
with respect to the PIB Preferred Stock of any series and any other PIB Parity
Securities are not paid in full, the holders of the PIB Preferred Stock of such
series and the PIB Parity Securities will share ratably in any such distribution
of assets of PIB in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which each
is entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference to
which they are entitled, the holders of such series of PIB Preferred Stock will
not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets of
PIB.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Except as indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of PIB Preferred Stock, or except as expressly required by applicable
law, the holders of the PIB Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.
 
GUARANTEE
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Corporation will guarantee the punctual payment of (i) any accrued and unpaid
dividends, whether or not declared, on the PIB Preferred Stock of any series,
(ii) the redemption price for any shares of PIB Preferred Stock called or
redemption at the option of PIB or the holder thereof in accordance with the
terms of such series of PIB Preferred Stock, (iii) the liquidation preference of
PIB Preferred Stock and (iv) any additional amounts with respect to a series of
PIB Preferred Stock.
 
     The Guarantee of the PIB Preferred Stock shall constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Corporation and will rank junior to all liabilities of the
Corporation. The Guarantee will rank senior to the Corporation's common stock
and shall have such rank relative to the preferred stock of the Corporation as
shall be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                         VALIDITY OF OFFERED SECURITIES
 
     The validity of the Preferred Stock and the PIB Preferred Stock will be
passed upon for the Corporation and PIB by Ernesto N. Mayoral, Esq., Vice
President and Counsel of the Corporation. The validity of the Senior Securities,
the Subordinated Securities, the PIB Senior Debt Securities, the PIB
Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantees will be passed upon for the
Corporation and PIB by Mr. Mayoral as to matters of the laws of the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico and by Sullivan & Cromwell as to matters of New York law. The
validity of the Guaranteed Securities will be passed upon for Financial by
Sullivan & Cromwell. The validity of the Securities will be passed upon for any
underwriters or agents by counsel named in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from
the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1992, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse,
independent public accountants, given upon the authority of said firm as experts
in auditing and accounting.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, may sell Securities
to or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or
through one or more underwriters without a syndicate for public offering and
sale by them or may sell Securities to investors directly or through agents. Any
such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the Securities will
be named in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   46
 
     Underwriters may offer and sell the Securities at a fixed price or prices,
which may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing at the
time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters
may be deemed to have received compensation from the Corporation, PIB or
Financial, as the case may be, in the form of underwriting discounts or
commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the Securities
for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the Securities to or
through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions
from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
 
     Any compensation paid by the Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may
be, to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the Securities,
and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to
participating dealers, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the
Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions
received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Securities may
be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act
of 1933. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements
entered into with Corporation, PIB or Financial, as the case may be, to
indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933.
 
     All Securities will be a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. Any underwriters to whom Securities are sold by the Corporation,
PIB or Financial, as the case may be, for public offering and sale may make a
market in such Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so
and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance
can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any Securities
 
     Certain of the underwriters and their associates may be customers of,
engage in transactions with and perform services for the Corporation or its
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   47
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                               BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
                           INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PAGE
                                                                                       ----
<S>                                                                                    <C>
Unaudited consolidated statements of condition as of March 31, 1994 and December 31,
  1993...............................................................................  A-2
Unaudited consolidated statements of income for the quarters ended March 31, 1994 and
  1993...............................................................................  A-3
Unaudited consolidated statements of cash flow for the quarters ended March 31, 1994
  and 1993...........................................................................  A-5
Notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.................................  A-6
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
  operation..........................................................................  A-12
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-1
<PAGE>   48
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                               1994            1993
                                                                            -----------    ------------
                                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>
                                                ASSETS
Cash and due from banks..................................................   $   364,961    $    368,837
Money market investments:
  Federal funds sold and securities and mortgages purchased under
    agreements to resell.................................................       152,000         247,333
  Time deposits with other banks.........................................        10,500          15,100
  Banker's acceptances...................................................           341             259
                                                                            -----------    ------------
                                                                                162,841         262,692
                                                                            -----------    ------------
Investment securities held to maturity, at cost (Notes 3 and 4)..........     3,450,827       3,330,798
Investment securities available for sale, at market (Notes 3 and 4)......       719,178         714,565
Trading account securities, at market....................................        12,647           3,017
Loans (Note 4)...........................................................     7,120,742       6,655,072
  Less -- Unearned income................................................       305,346         308,150
    Allowance for loan losses............................................       140,949         133,437
                                                                            -----------    ------------
                                                                              6,674,447       6,213,485
                                                                            -----------    ------------
Premises and equipment...................................................       310,319         298,089
Other real estate........................................................        11,899          12,699
Customer's liabilities on acceptances....................................         1,378           1,392
Accrued income receivable................................................        77,037          79,285
Other assets.............................................................       104,840          95,763
Intangible assets........................................................       140,153         132,746
                                                                            -----------    ------------
                                                                            $12,030,527    $ 11,513,368
                                                                            ===========    ============
                                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
  Deposits
    Non-interest bearing.................................................   $ 1,799,641    $  1,848,859
    Interest bearing.....................................................     7,021,533       6,673,799
                                                                            -----------    ------------
                                                                              8,821,174       8,522,658
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to
  repurchase (Note 4)....................................................     1,026,458         951,733
Other short-term borrowings..............................................       773,487         664,173
Notes payable............................................................       268,786         253,855
Senior debentures........................................................        30,000          30,000
Acceptances outstanding..................................................         1,378           1,392
Other liabilities........................................................       177,697         182,362
                                                                            -----------    ------------
                                                                             11,098,980      10,606,173
                                                                            -----------    ------------
Subordinated notes (Note 6)..............................................        62,000          62,000
                                                                            -----------    ------------
Preferred stock of subsidiary Bank (Note 7)..............................        11,000          11,000
                                                                            -----------    ------------
Stockholders' equity (Note 8):
  Common stock...........................................................       196,537         196,395
  Surplus................................................................       387,177         386,622
  Retained earnings......................................................       229,148         208,607
  Unrealized gains on securities available for sale (Note 2).............         3,114             -0-
  Capital reserves.......................................................        42,571          42,571
                                                                            -----------    ------------
                                                                                858,547         834,195
                                                                            -----------    ------------
                                                                            $12,030,527    $ 11,513,368
                                                                            ===========    ============
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial
                                   statements
 
                                       A-2
<PAGE>   49
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            QUARTER ENDED
                                                                              MARCH 31,
                                                                       -----------------------
                                                                         1994           1993
                                                                       --------       --------
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS,
                                                                          EXCEPT PER SHARE
                                                                             INFORMATION)
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>
INTEREST INCOME:
  Loans..............................................................  $147,373       $129,018
  Money market investments...........................................     2,140          1,477
  Investment securities..............................................    49,459         53,893
  Trading account securities.........................................         9             39
                                                                       --------       --------
                                                                        198,981        184,427
                                                                       --------       --------
INTEREST EXPENSE:
  Deposits...........................................................    54,179         55,837
  Short-term borrowings..............................................    14,018          7,338
  Long-term debt.....................................................     5,431          3,491
                                                                       --------       --------
                                                                         73,628         66,666
                                                                       --------       --------
Net interest income..................................................   125,353        117,761
Provision for loan losses............................................    13,663         21,547
                                                                       --------       --------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses..................   111,690         96,214
Service charges on deposit accounts..................................    17,175         15,476
Other service fees...................................................    11,895         10,372
Gain on sale of securities...........................................       272            446
Trading account profit...............................................       170             60
Other operating income...............................................     4,042          2,325
                                                                       --------       --------
                                                                        145,244        124,893
                                                                       --------       --------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Personnel costs:
  Salaries...........................................................    39,042         36,443
  Profit sharing.....................................................     4,991          4,928
  Pension and other benefits.........................................    11,286         15,668
                                                                       --------       --------
                                                                         55,319         57,039
Net occupancy expense................................................     6,903          6,275
Equipment expenses...................................................     8,203          6,333
Other taxes..........................................................     4,432          3,689
Professional fees....................................................     6,850          6,158
Communications.......................................................     4,904          4,768
Business promotion...................................................     3,690          3,592
Printing and supplies................................................     2,101          1,881
Other operating expenses.............................................     9,814          9,259
Amortization of intangibles..........................................     4,361          3,860
                                                                       --------       --------
                                                                        106,577        102,854
                                                                       --------       --------
Income before tax, dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary Bank
  and cumulative effect of accounting changes........................    38,667         22,039
Income tax (Note 9)..................................................     9,745          2,511
                                                                       --------       --------
Income before dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary Bank and
  cumulative effect of accounting changes............................    28,922         19,528
Dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary Bank......................       193            193
                                                                       --------       --------
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-3
<PAGE>   50
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME -- (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            QUARTER ENDED
                                                                              MARCH 31,
                                                                       -----------------------
                                                                         1994           1993
                                                                       --------       --------
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS,
                                                                          EXCEPT PER SHARE
                                                                            INFORMATION)
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes................    28,729         19,335
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (Note 2).....................                    6,185
                                                                       --------       --------
NET INCOME...........................................................  $ 28,729       $ 25,520
                                                                       ========       ========
EARNINGS PER SHARE (NOTE 10):
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes................  $   0.88       $   0.59
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (Note 2).....................                     0.19
                                                                       --------       --------
Net Income...........................................................  $   0.88       $   0.78
                                                                       ========       ========
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       A-4
<PAGE>   51
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
                                                                                    MARCH 31,
                                                                            -------------------------
                                                                               1994            1993
                                                                            -----------      --------
<S>                                                                         <C>              <C>
                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income.............................................................   $    28,729      $ 25,520
                                                                            -----------      --------
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
    activities:
  Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment................         8,309         6,464
  Provision for loan losses..............................................        13,663        21,547
  Amortization of intangibles............................................         4,361         3,860
  Gain on sale of investment securities and other........................          (272)         (446)
  Gain on sale of premises and equipment.................................          (487)         (323)
  Gain on sale of loans..................................................                        (300)
  Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on investments.....         4,296         1,665
  Amortization of deferred loan fees and costs...........................            77         1,164
  Postretirement benefit obligation......................................         1,019        43,602
  Net increase in trading securities.....................................        (9,630)       (9,985)
  Net decrease in interest receivable....................................         4,339         8,036
  Net increase in other assets...........................................        (5,431)       (7,200)
  Net decrease in interest payable.......................................        (4,199)       (4,568)
  Net increase (decrease) in current and deferred taxes..................         5,677       (42,388)
  Net decrease in other liabilities......................................       (11,731)       (8,430)
                                                                            -----------      --------
Total adjustments........................................................         9,991        12,698
                                                                            -----------      --------
Net cash provided by operating activities................................        38,720        38,218
                                                                            -----------      --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Net decrease in money market investments...............................       105,251       159,104
  Purchases of investment securities held to maturity....................    (2,126,928)     (904,945)
  Maturities of investment securities held to maturity...................     2,002,656       682,450
  Sales of investment securities held to maturity........................                       1,759
  Sales of investment securities available for sale......................       281,524        83,225
  Purchases of investment securities available for sale..................      (168,024)      (58,696)
  Net disbursements on loans.............................................      (218,994)      (48,910)
  Proceeds from sale of loans............................................                      25,780
  Acquisition of mortgage loan portfolios................................       (76,700)     (101,100)
  Assets acquire, net of cash............................................       (17,557)
  Acquisition of premises and equipment..................................       (21,771)      (19,256)
  Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment...........................         8,249         2,957
                                                                            -----------      --------
Net cash used in investing activities....................................      (232,294)     (177,632)
                                                                            -----------      --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net increase (decrease) in deposits....................................         5,811       (87,103)
  Net increase in federal funds purchased and securities sold under
    agreements to repurchase.............................................        69,725       164,535
  Net increase in other short-term borrowings............................       106,714        72,558
  Proceeds from issuance of notes payable................................        14,934         9,980
  Payments of notes payable..............................................            (2)          (21)
  Dividends paid.........................................................        (8,183)       (6,531)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock.................................           699           470
                                                                            -----------      --------
Net cash provided by financing activities................................       189,698       153,888
                                                                            -----------      --------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and due from banks.......................        (3,876)       14,474
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period...........................       368,837       325,497
                                                                            -----------      --------
Cash and due from banks at end of period.................................   $   364,961      $339,971
                                                                            ============     =========
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial
                                  statements.
 
                                       A-5
<PAGE>   52
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
 
NOTE 1 -- CONSOLIDATION
 
     The consolidated financial statements of BanPonce Corporation include the
balance sheet of the Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Velco,
Popular International Bank, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries BanPonce
Financial Corp., Spring Financial Services, Inc. and Pioneer Bancorp, Inc.
(second tier subsidiaries), and Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries, Popular Leasing and Rental, Inc. and Popular Consumer
Services, Inc., as of March 31, 1994 and December 31, 1993, and their related
statements of income and cash flows for the quarters ended March 31, 1994 and
1993. These statements are, in the opinion of management, a fair statement of
the results of the periods presented. These results are unaudited, but include
all necessary adjustments for a fair presentation of such results.
 
NOTE 2 -- ACCOUNTING CHANGES
 
     During the first quarter of 1994 the Corporation adopted SFAS 115
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." SFAS 115
requires financial institutions to divide their securities holdings among three
categories: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading securities. Those
securities which management has the positive intent and ability to hold to
maturity will be classified as held-to-maturity and will be carried at cost.
Those that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in
the near term, will be classified as trading and will continue to be reported at
fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. All other
securities will be classified as available-for-sale and will be reported at fair
value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a
separate component of shareholders' equity. As a result of the adoption of this
statement, the Corporation's stockholders' equity at March 31, 1994 includes
$3.1 million, net of taxes, in unrealized holding gains on securities available
for sale.
 
     Effective January 1, 1993, the Corporation implemented the Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 106, "Employers Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits other than Pensions", and SFAS 109, "Accounting for
Income Taxes". Under SFAS 106 the cost of retiree health care and other
postretirement benefits is accrued during employees' service periods. The
Corporation elected to recognize the full transition obligation, which is the
portion of future retiree benefit costs related to service already rendered by
both active and retired employees up to the date of adoption, in the first
quarter of 1993 rather than amortize it over future periods. The cumulative
effect, net of taxes, of this accounting change amounted to $22.7 million, or
$0.70 per share. The SFAS 109 established accounting and reporting standards for
the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax
consequences of temporary differences between the amount of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax
laws. The cumulative effect of this change resulted in a credit to income of
$28.9 million, or $0.89 per share. This amount is net of a valuation allowance
of approximately $2.1 million related to a deferred tax asset arising from net
operating loss carryforwards for which the Corporation cannot determine the
likelihood that they will be realized.
 
                                       A-6
<PAGE>   53
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
 
NOTE 3 -- INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
     The maturities as of March 31, 1994 and market value for the following
investment securities are:
 
          Investment securities held to maturity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MARCH 31,
                                        -----------------------------------------------------
                                                  1994                        1993
                                        -------------------------   -------------------------
                                        BOOK VALUE   MARKET VALUE   BOOK VALUE   MARKET VALUE
                                        ----------   ------------   ----------   ------------
        <S>                             <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
        U.S. Treasury (average
          maturity of 11.5 months)....  $2,206,380    $2,203,787    $2,628,862    $2,677,195
        Obligations of other U.S.
          Government agencies and
          corporations (average
          maturity of 6.9 months).....     412,145       411,469       150,468       152,985
        Obligations of Puerto Rico,
          States and political
          subdivisions (average
          maturity of 4 years and 3
          months).....................     210,054       215,930       220,440       230,195
        Others (average maturity of
          3 years and 2.7 months).....     622,248       611,208       485,581       486,786
                                        ----------   ------------   ----------   ------------
                                        $3,450,827    $3,442,394    $3,485,351    $3,547,161
                                         =========    ==========     =========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Investment securities available for sale:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1994                        1993
                                          -------------------------   -------------------------
                                          BOOK VALUE   MARKET VALUE   BOOK VALUE   MARKET VALUE
                                          ----------   ------------   ----------   ------------
        <S>                               <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
        U.S. Treasury (average maturity
          of 3 years and 2.3 months)....   $558,700      $562,572      $304,557      $328,408
        Obligations of other U.S.
          Government agencies and
          corporations (average maturity
          of 3 years and 1.5 months)....    116,621       116,901        95,163        96,734
        Obligations of Puerto Rico,
          States and political
          subdivisions (average maturity
          of 2 years and 10.8 months)...     27,135        27,135
        Others (average maturity of 2
          years and 7.2 months).........     12,570        12,570         8,484         8,484
                                          ----------   ------------   ----------   ------------
                                           $715,026      $719,178      $408,204      $433,626
                                           ========    ==========      ========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 4 -- PLEDGED ASSETS
 
     Securities and insured mortgage loans of the Corporation of $1,921,301
(1993 -- $1,574,978) are pledged to secure public and trust deposits and
securities and mortgages sold under repurchase agreements.
 
NOTE 5 -- COMMITMENTS
 
     In the normal course of business there are letters of credit outstanding
and stand-by letters of credit which at March 31, 1994 amounted to $15,257 and
$80,455, respectively. There are also outstanding other
 
                                       A-7
<PAGE>   54
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
 
commitments and contingent liabilities, such as guarantees and commitments to
extend credit, which are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements.
No losses are anticipated as a result of these transactions.
 
NOTE 6 -- SUBORDINATED NOTES
 
     Subordinated notes consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
          <S>                                                               <C>
          8.50% Fixed Rate Notes, due in 1996.............................  $12,000
          8.875% Fixed Rate Notes series A, due in 1996...................   15,000
          8.6875% Fixed Rate Notes series B, due in 1996..................   15,000
          Floating Rate Notes series A with interest payable at 88% of
            LIBID rate, due in 1996.......................................   19,000
          Floating Rate Notes series B with interest payable at 86% of
            LIBID rate, due in 1996.......................................    1,000
                                                                            -------
                                                                            $62,000
                                                                            =======
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 7 -- PREFERRED STOCK OF SUBSIDIARY BANK
 
     As of March 31, 1994, the subsidiary Bank has 200,000 shares of authorized
preferred stock with a par value of $100, of which 110,000 are issued and
outstanding.
 
NOTE 8 -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     Authorized common stock is 90,000,000 shares with a par value of $6 per
share of which 32,756,219 are issued and outstanding at March 31, 1994.
 
NOTE 9 -- INCOME TAX
 
     The income tax expense includes a tax provision of $68 and $187 in 1994 and
1993, respectively, related with the gains on sale of securities.
 
NOTE 10 -- EARNINGS PER SHARE BASIS
 
     Earnings per share are based on 32,756,219 average shares outstanding
during 1994 and 32,672,126 during 1993.
 
NOTE 11 -- SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
     During the quarter ended March 31, 1994 the Corporation paid interest and
income taxes amounting to $81,843 and $152, respectively (1993 -- $70,997 and
$604). In addition, the loans receivable transferred to other real estate and
other property as of March 31, 1994, amounted to $254 and $620, respectively
(1993 -- $8,537 and $1,598). The Corporation's stockholders' equity at March 31,
1994 includes $4.2 million, in unrealized holding gains on securities available
for sale.
 
                                       A-8
<PAGE>   55
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
 
NOTE 12 -- POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK, INC. (A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
           BANPONCE CORPORATION) FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
 
     The following summarized financial information presents the unaudited
consolidated financial position of Popular International, Inc. and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries BanPonce Financial Corp., Spring Financial Services,
Inc. and Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. (second tier subsidiaries) as of March 31, 1994
and 1993, and the results of their operations for the quarters then ended.
 
                        POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK, INC.
                             STATEMENT OF CONDITION
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                MARCH 31,
                                                                           -------------------
                                                                             1994       1993
                                                                           --------   --------
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>
Assets:
Cash.....................................................................  $ 12,632   $  1,539
Money market investments.................................................     8,036     11,572
Investment securities....................................................   113,742        -0-
                                                                           --------   --------
Loans....................................................................   640,373    218,903
Less: Unearned income....................................................    25,008     10,846
  Allowance for loan losses..............................................     9,566      2,857
                                                                           --------   --------
                                                                            605,799    205,200
Other assets, consisting principally of intangible assets, including
  goodwill, net..........................................................    35,956     10,341
                                                                           --------   --------
          Total assets...................................................  $776,165   $228,652
                                                                           ========   ========
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity:
Deposits.................................................................  $292,705   $    -0-
Short-term borrowings....................................................   163,110     93,740
Notes payable............................................................   239,117     99,762
Other liabilities........................................................    20,433      6,327
Stockholder's equity.....................................................    60,800     28,823
                                                                           --------   --------
          Total liabilities and stockholder's equity.....................  $776,165   $228,652
                                                                           ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-9
<PAGE>   56
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
 
                        POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK, INC.
 
                              STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              QUARTER ENDED
                                                                                MARCH 31,
                                                                            ------------------
                                                                             1994        1993
                                                                            -------     ------
<S>                                                                         <C>         <C>
Income:
Interest and fees.........................................................  $10,859     $6,730
Other service fees........................................................    1,395        430
                                                                            -------     ------
          Total income....................................................   12,254      7,160
                                                                            -------     ------
Expenses:
Interest expense..........................................................    5,281      2,731
Provision for loan losses.................................................    1,371        880
Operating expenses........................................................    3,259      2,820
                                                                            -------     ------
          Total expenses..................................................    9,911      6,431
                                                                            -------     ------
Income before income tax..................................................    2,343        729
Income tax................................................................      979        323
                                                                            -------     ------
          Net income......................................................  $ 1,364     $  406
                                                                            =======     ======
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 13 -- BANPONCE FINANCIAL CORP. (A SECOND TIER SUBSIDIARY OF BANPONCE
           CORPORATION) FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
 
     The following summarized financial information presents the unaudited
consolidated financial position of BanPonce Financial Corp. and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries Spring Financial Services, Inc. and Pioneer Bancorp Inc., as of
March 31, 1994 and 1993, and the results of their operations for the quarters
then ended.
 
                            BANPONCE FINANCIAL CORP.
                             STATEMENT OF CONDITION
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                                         ---------------------
                                                                           1994         1993
                                                                         --------     --------
<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>
Assets:
Cash...................................................................  $ 12,612     $  1,514
Money market investments...............................................     7,041       10,395
Investment securities..................................................   113,742          -0-
                                                                         --------     --------
Loans..................................................................   640,373      218,903
Less: Unearned income..................................................    25,008       10,846
     Allowance for loan losses.........................................     9,566        2,857
                                                                         --------     --------
                                                                          605,799      205,200
Other assets, consisting principally of intangible assets, including
  goodwill, net........................................................    35,931       10,328
                                                                         --------     --------
          Total assets.................................................  $775,125     $227,437
                                                                         ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>   57
 
                              BANPONCE CORPORATION
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                                         ---------------------
                                                                           1994         1993
                                                                         --------     --------
<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity:
Deposits...............................................................  $292,705     $    -0-
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to
  repurchase...........................................................     5,000          -0-
Other short-term borrowings............................................   163,111       93,740
Notes payable..........................................................   239,117       99,762
Other liabilities......................................................    20,433        6,327
Stockholder's equity...................................................    59,759       27,608
                                                                         --------     --------
          Total liabilities and stockholder's equity...................  $775,125     $227,437
                                                                         ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
                            BANPONCE FINANCIAL CORP.
                              STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                      ------------------------
                                                                       1994              1993
                                                                      -------           ------
<S>                                                                   <C>               <C>
Income:
Interest and fees...................................................  $10,851           $6,720
Other service fees..................................................    1,394              430
                                                                      -------           ------
          Total income..............................................   12,245            7,150
                                                                      -------           ------
Expenses:
Interest expense....................................................    5,281            2,731
Provision for loan losses...........................................    1,371              880
Operating expenses..................................................    3,226            2,725
                                                                      -------           ------
          Total expenses............................................    9,878            6,336
                                                                      -------           ------
Income before income tax............................................    2,367              814
Income tax..........................................................      979              323
                                                                      -------           ------
          Net income................................................  $ 1,388           $  491
                                                                      =======           ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>   58
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     This financial review contains an analysis of the performance of BanPonce
Corporation (the Corporation) and its subsidiaries Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
(Banco Popular), including its wholly-owned subsidiaries Popular Leasing and
Rental, Inc. (Popular Leasing) and Popular Consumer Services, Inc., Vehicle
Equipment Leasing Company, Inc. (VELCO), Popular International Bank, Inc., and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries BanPonce Financial Corp., Spring Financial
Services, Inc. (Spring) and Pioneer Bancorp, Inc. (Pioneer), second tier
subsidiaries. Pioneer was acquired on March 31, 1994.
 
     This financial review should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
consolidated financial statements, supplemental financial data and tables
contained herein.
 
NET INCOME
 
     Net income for the first quarter of 1994 was $28.7 million, compared with
$25.5 million for the same period in 1993, a 12.6% increase. Net income for 1993
includes the effect of the adoption of two new accounting principles, which
resulted in $6.2 million in additional revenues for the Corporation.
 
     On a per share basis, net earnings for the quarter were $0.88 per share,
based on 32,756,219 average shares outstanding, as compared with $0.78 per share
for the first quarter of 1993 based on 32,672,126 average shares outstanding.
The Corporation's return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) for the
first quarter of 1994 were 1.0% and 13.78%, respectively, compared with 1.03%
and 13.60%, for the first quarter of 1993. For the last quarter of 1993 these
ratios were 0.98% and 13.59%.
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
     Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 1994, reached $125.4
million, a 6.5% percent increase when compared with $117.8 million reported
during the same quarter in 1993. On a taxable equivalent basis, net interest
income rose to $136.9 million for the first three months of 1994 from $130.1
million for the same period in 1993. This rise is the net effect of a $19.2
million increase due to the growth and change in the composition of average
earning assets and a $12.4 million decrease due to lower taxable equivalent
yields. For analytical purposes, the interest earned on tax exempt assets is
adjusted to a "taxable equivalent" basis assuming the statutory income tax rate
of 42%.
 
     Average earning assets increased $1,546 million, reaching $10,809 million
for the first quarter of 1994 compared with $9,263 million for the same quarter
in 1993. The increase is principally related to a higher volume of average
mortgage loans by $858 million, principally related to several purchases of
mortgages realized during 1993 and to a higher origination activity in Banco
Popular and Spring. During the first quarter of 1994 the Federal Reserve raised
the federal funds rate in response to a recovering economy and anticipating
inflationary pressures. This increase in rates is expected to result in a
slow-down in the mortgage loans' refinancing activity during 1994. The increase
in average loans also reflects a 12% increase in commercial loans which rose
$286 million.
 
     Average investment securities increased to $4,113 million from $3,822
million in 1993. The increase in investment securities is principally related to
the acquisition of several CMO's by Banco Popular during 1993 and to a higher
level of tax exempt securities, mainly U.S. Treasury securities.
 
     The average yield on earning assets on a taxable equivalent basis decreased
71 basis points to 7.79% compared with 8.50% in the first quarter of 1993 due to
the significant growth in assets during 1993 when interest rates reached their
lowest levels in three decades. The average yield on loans, on a taxable
equivalent basis, decreased from 9.95% reported during the first quarter of 1993
to 9.21% for the first quarter of 1994. The yield on mortgage loans decreased
176 basis points, principally due to the significant volume of refinancings,
originations and purchases of loans realized during the low interest rate
environment that prevailed in 1993. These loans, however, provided higher
returns than most other investment alternatives available with limited interest
rate risk being assumed given the deposits acquired during 1993. Personal loans
yield decreased 68 basis points due to competitive factors in the Puerto Rico
financial industry. In addition, the Corporation is
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>   59
 
placing more emphasis in the origination of secured personal loans, such as home
equity and cash collateral loans, that carry a lower yield. The yield on
investment securities also showed a reduction, decreasing 96 basis points from
6.76% to 5.80% during the first quarter of 1994. During 1993 approximately $660
million in U.S. Treasury securities matured with an average yield of
approximately 6.99%. These securities were substituted, in part with U.S.
Treasury securities yielding approximately 4.78%.
 
                                    TABLE A
 
                 NET INTEREST INCOME (TAXABLE EQUIVALENT BASIS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994 AVERAGE       1993 AVERAGE
                                                                 --------------     --------------
                                                                 BALANCE   RATE     BALANCE   RATE
                                                                 -------   ----     -------   ----
                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                              <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
Earning assets.................................................  $10,809   7.79%    $ 9,263   8.50%
                                                                 =======             ======
Financed by:
  Interest bearing funds.......................................  $ 8,856   3.33%    $ 7,569   3.52%
Non-interest bearing funds.....................................    1,953              1,694
                                                                 -------            -------
          TOTAL................................................  $10,809   2.72%    $ 9,263   2.88%
                                                                 =======             ======
Net interest income per books..................................  $ 125.4            $ 117.8
Taxable equivalent adjustment..................................     11.5               12.3
                                                                 -------            -------
Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis..............  $ 136.9            $ 130.1
                                                                 =======             ======
Spread.........................................................            4.46%              4.98%
Net interest yield.............................................            5.07%              5.62%
</TABLE>
 
     Average interest bearing liabilities for the quarter ended March 31, 1994
were $8,856 million, compared with $7,569 million during the first quarter of
1993, a 17% increase. This rise relates principally to a higher level of
short-term borrowings by $767 million, particularly fed funds purchased and
securities sold under agreements to repurchase in response to arbitrage
activities. The increase in the average interest bearing liabilities is also due
to a higher volume of commercial paper issued by the parent company to finance
its subsidiaries' operations. Average interest bearing deposits increased $355.6
million, principally in savings, NOW and money market accounts. The average
volume of non-interest bearing deposits rose $196.5 million when compared with
the first quarter of 1993, reaching $1,757 million.
 
     The average cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased to 3.33%, or 19
basis points, when compared with 3.52% for the first quarter of 1993. The
average cost of interest bearing deposits for the first quarter of 1994 was
3.19% compared with 3.47% for the same quarter in 1993, a decrease of 28 basis
points, mostly in saving accounts which decreased 34 basis points. During 1993
the pricing structure of these accounts was modified in accordance with the
prevailing low interest rates. Also the average cost of certificates of deposits
decreased 28 basis points. On the other hand, the average cost of short-term
borrowings increased 17 basis points as a result of the increase in short-term
rates during the first quarter. The average cost of funding earning assets
decreased to 2.72% from 2.88%. The Corporation's net interest yield, on a
taxable equivalent basis, was 5.07% compared with 5.62% for the same quarter in
1993.
 
PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
     The provision for loan losses was $13.7 million for the first quarter of
1994, a decline of $7.8 million or 36.6% from $21.5 million provided in the same
period of 1993. The provision is also $1.0 million lower than the preceding
quarter. This decline results from a reduction in net charge-offs and an
improvement in the loan quality. Notwithstanding the reduction in the provision
for loan losses, the Corporation continues maintaining the allowance for loan
losses at a level which is considered adequate to absorb the potential credit
losses inherent in the portfolio.
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>   60
 
     As presented in table B, net charge-offs for the first quarter of 1994
totaled $9.6 million or 0.60% of average loans, representing a decline of $6.8
million or 41.3% as compared with a year ago when the net charge-offs were $16.4
million or 1.25% of average loans. Net charge-offs for the last quarter of 1993
amounted to $11.9 million or 0.77% of average loans.
 
                                    TABLE B
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             PROVISION FOR        NET       ALLOWANCE FOR
                       QUARTER ENDED                          LOAN LOSSES     CHARGE-OFFS    LOAN LOSSES
- -----------------------------------------------------------  --------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>              <C>           <C>
March 31, 1994.............................................      $ 13.7          $ 9.6         $ 140.9
December 31, 1993..........................................        14.7           11.9           133.4
September 30, 1993.........................................        17.4            9.6           130.6
June 30, 1993..............................................        19.2           13.8           121.4
March 31, 1993.............................................        21.5           16.4           115.9
</TABLE>
 
     Commercial loans net charge-offs reflected a reduction of $2.7 million or
35.4% as compared with the same period in 1993, decreasing from $7.7 million to
$5.0 million. Consumer loans net charge-offs were $3.6 million for the first
quarter of 1994 as compared with $6.1 million a year ago, a decrease of 41.1%.
Construction and lease financing net charge-offs also decreased $1.4 million and
$0.3 million, respectively, partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in
mortgage loans net charge-offs.
 
     At March 31, 1994, the allowance for loan losses was $140.9 million,
representing 2.07% of loans, and included Pioneer's allowance of $3.4 million.
These figures compare with $115.9 million or 2.16% at March 31, 1993 and $133.4
million and 2.10% at December 31, 1993.
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>   61
 
     Table C presents the movement in the allowance for loan losses and shows
selected loan loss statistics for the quarters ended on March 31, 1994 and 1993.
 
                                    TABLE C
 
         ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND SELECTED LOAN LOSSES STATISTICS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             FIRST QUARTER
                                                                          --------------------
                                                                            1994        1993
                                                                          --------    --------
                                                                              (DOLLARS IN
                                                                               THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>         <C>
Balance at beginning of period..........................................  $133,437    $110,714
Allowances purchased....................................................     3,473
Provision for loan losses...............................................    13,663      21,547
                                                                          --------    --------
                                                                           150,573     132,261
                                                                          --------    --------
Losses charged to the allowance
  Commercial............................................................     6,126       9,226
  Construction..........................................................       100       1,473
  Lease financing.......................................................     1,627       1,879
  Mortgage..............................................................       111         -0-
  Consumer..............................................................     7,559      10,000
                                                                          --------    --------
                                                                            15,523      22,578
                                                                          --------    --------
Recoveries
  Commercial............................................................     1,171       1,559
  Construction..........................................................       190         194
  Lease financing.......................................................       559         493
  Mortgage..............................................................       -0-         -0-
  Consumer..............................................................     3,979       3,927
                                                                          --------    --------
                                                                             5,899       6,173
                                                                          --------    --------
Net loans charged-off...................................................     9,624      16,405
                                                                          --------    --------
Balance at end of period................................................  $140,949    $115,856
                                                                          ========    ========
Ratios:
  Allowance for losses to loans.........................................      2.07%       2.16%
  Allowance to non-performing assets....................................    120.18       81.25
  Allowance to non-performing loans.....................................    145.53      102.28
  Non-performing assets to loans........................................      1.72        2.66
  Non-performing assets to total assets.................................      0.97        1.40
  Net charge-offs to average loans......................................      0.60        1.25
  Provision to net charge-offs..........................................      1.42X       1.31X
  Net charge-offs earnings coverage.....................................      5.44        2.66
</TABLE>
 
CREDIT QUALITY
 
     The Corporation reports its non-performing assets on a more conservative
basis than most other U.S. banks. The Corporation's policy is to place
commercial loans on non-accrual status if payments of principal or interest are
delinquent 60 days rather than the standard industry practice of 90 days.
Financing leases, conventional mortgages and close-end consumer loans are placed
on nonaccrual status if payments are delinquent 90 days. Closed-end consumer
loans are charged-off against the allowance when delinquent 120 days. Open-end
(revolving credit) consumer loans are charged-off if payments are delinquent 180
days. Certain loans which would be treated as non-accrual loans pursuant to the
foregoing policy, are treated as accruing loans if they are considered well
secured and in the process of collection. Under the standard industry
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>   62
 
practice, closed-end consumer loans are charged-off if delinquent 120 days, but
these consumer loans are not customarily placed on non-accrual status prior to
being charged-off.
 
     As of March 31, 1994, non-performing assets ("NPA") which consist of past
due loans on which no interest income is being accrued, renegotiated loans,
other real estate and in-substance foreclosed assets, amounted to $117.3 million
or 1.72% of loans. NPA were $142.6 million or 2.66% of loans a year earlier and
$111.2 million or 1.75% at December 31, 1993.
 
     Non-performing loans decreased $16.5 million or 14.6% when compared with
the same quarter of 1993, of which $9.4 million were in non-performing
commercial and construction loans due to improved collection efforts of
classified loans, $7.6 million were in non-performing consumer loans and $1.2
million in lease financing. Partially offsetting this reduction was an increase
of $1.7 million in non-performing mortgage loans, mainly due to the rise in the
mortgage loan portfolio. The Corporation was able to reduce the other real
estate owned by $9.5 million or 44.3% through successful efforts in the
disposition of these properties. As compared with December 31, 1993,
non-performing assets increased $6.1 million, of which $5.8 million represented
non-performing assets of Pioneer, acquired on March 31, 1994. Table D presents
NPA for the current and previous four quarters.
 
     Assuming the standard industry practice of placing commercial loans on
non-accrual status when payments are past due 90 days or more and excluding the
closed-end consumer loans from non-accruing loans, non-performing assets as of
March 31, 1994, amounted to $88.9 million or 1.31% of total loans. At that date,
the allowance for loan losses as a percent of adjusted non-performing assets was
158.5%. These two ratios compare with 1.92% and 112.7% as of March 31, 1993, and
1.27% and 165.0% at December 31, 1993.
 
                                    TABLE D
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NPA      ALLOWANCE
                                                                               AS A %     AS A %
                               DATE                                   NPA     OF LOANS    OF NPA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------  ------   --------   ---------
                                                                      (IN
                                                                     MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                  <C>      <C>        <C>
March 31, 1994.....................................................  $117.3     1.72%      120.2%
December 31, 1993..................................................   111.2     1.75       120.0
September 30, 1993.................................................   137.5     2.24        95.0
June 30, 1993......................................................   139.7     2.42        86.9
March 31, 1993.....................................................   142.6     2.66        81.3
</TABLE>
 
     Accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to
principal or interest amounted to $14.3 million at March 31, 1994, compared with
$16.0 million at March 31, 1993, and $15.5 million at December 31, 1993.
Renegotiated loans at the end of this period amounted to $9.1 million of which
$0.5 million are in non-accrual status. All renegotiated loans are classified as
nonperforming assets.
 
OTHER OPERATING INCOME
 
     Other operating income, including securities and trading gains, increased
to $33.6 million for the first quarter of 1994 compared with $28.7 million for
the same quarter in 1993.
 
     Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $17.2 million for the first
quarter of 1994, an 11% increase from the $15.5 million recorded for the same
quarter in 1993. The increase relates primarily to the implementation of an
automatic teller machine (ATM) fee on April of 1993, an increase in commercial
accounts fees and fees related to the operations acquired during 1993.
 
     Other service fees rose $1.5 million, from $10.4 million reported for the
first three months of 1993 to $11.9 million for the same period of 1994. Most of
this increase was attained at Spring through mortgage loans sales and servicing
activities.
 
     Other operating income increased $1.7 million reaching $4.0 million for the
first quarter of 1994. The increase is principally the result of an adjustment
of $1.4 million recorded by Banco Popular during the first
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>   63
 
quarter of 1993 to reduce the market value of the excess mortgage servicing
recorded upon the sale of mortgages in 1992 due to higher than expected mortgage
prepayments. This amount compares with an adjustment of only $0.5 million during
the first quarter of 1994.
 
     The Corporation realized gains on securities and trading activities during
the first three months of 1994 of $0.4 million compared with $0.5 million for
the same period in 1993.
 
OPERATING EXPENSES
 
     Operating expenses for the first quarter of 1994 reached $106.6 million
compared with $102.9 million for the same quarter in 1993.
 
     Personnel costs decreased $1.7 million from the $57 million reported in the
first three months of 1993. This decrease is mainly related to a reduction of
$4.4 million in pension and other benefits expense due to the recognition during
the first quarter of 1993 of the full year expense under SFAS 106 which amounted
to $5.2 million. During the first quarter of 1994, the SFAS 106 expense amounted
to $1.5 million.
 
     On the other hand, salaries increased 7.1% to $39 million due to the
salaries of the operations acquired in New York and the Virgin Islands during
the latter part of 1993, annual merit increases and Spring's expansion in the
mainland. These increases are partially offset by the accrual of $1.2 million
recognized during the first quarter of 1993 for a special bonus paid to the
employees of Banco Popular on its 100th Anniversary.
 
     Other operating expenses, excluding personnel costs, totaled $51.3 million,
an 11.9% rise from the $45.8 million reported during the first quarter of 1993.
The major increase was in equipment expenses, basically depreciation, which is
related to the growth in the Corporation's business activity and the development
of new products and services, especially the electronic payment system and the
establishment of point of sales terminals in food stores and other locations.
Through these, the Corporation is moving from a paper-based operation to an
electronic one. Other increases were in other taxes, professional fees and net
occupancy expenses. These increases are part of the costs of the growth that the
Corporation is aiming to attain in the mainland, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
 
     Income tax expense increased significantly, from $2.5 million for the first
quarter of 1993 to $9.7 million for the first quarter of 1994. The increase
relates principally to a higher operating income for the quarter by $16.6
million and a lower amount of exempt income from securities mainly due to the
repricing of securities, as previously mentioned.
 
BALANCE SHEET COMMENTS
 
     At March 31, 1994, the Corporation's total assets reached $12 billion,
reflecting an increase of 17.8% as compared with $10.2 billion at March 31,
1993. Total assets at the end of 1993 were $11.5 billion. Average total assets
for the first quarter of 1994 were $11.6 billion compared with $10.0 billion for
the same period of 1993. Average total assets for 1993 amounted to $10.7
billion.
 
     On March 31, 1994, BanPonce Financial Corp., a subsidiary of BanPonce
Corporation, acquired Pioneer Bancorp, Inc., a full-service banking operation in
Chicago, operating two branches, with $333.7 million in assets and $292.7
million in deposits.
 
     Earning assets at March 31, 1994, amounted to $11.2 billion compared with
$9.4 billion at March 31, 1993 and $10.7 billion at December 31, 1993. Loans
amounted to $6.8 billion at March 31, 1994 compared with $5.4 billion at the
same date of prior year and $6.3 billion at the end of 1993. Most of the
increase in loans was in the mortgage loan portfolio, which grew $827 million,
from $949 million at March 31, 1993 to $1.8 billion at March 31, 1994. This
increase results mainly from the purchase of approximately $435 million in
mortgage loans in the U.S. since April 1993 and a significant mortgage loan
origination and refinancing activity during 1993 in Banco Popular and Spring.
Spring's mortgage loan portfolio increased $206.8 million since March 31, 1993.
Furthermore, mortgage loan figures include $54.8 million in loans acquired on
September 30, 1993, as part of the operations acquired in the Virgin Islands
from CoreStates Bank, N.A. (CoreStates). Commercial and construction loans rose
$431 million, which included $46.7 million acquired
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>   64
 
from CoreStates and $115.7 million acquired in the Pioneer transaction. The
growth in the consumer loan portfolio of $123 million was mainly due to $86
million in portfolios of the aforementioned acquisitions. Lease financing
receivables increased $77.3 million as compared with March 31, 1993.
 
     During the first quarter of 1994 the Corporation adopted SFAS 115
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities". SFAS 115
requires financial institutions to divide their securities holdings among three
categories: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading securities. Those
securities which management has the positive intent and ability to hold to
maturity will be classified as held-to-maturity and will be carried at cost.
Those that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in
the near term, will be classified as trading and will continue to be reported at
fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. All other
securities will be classified as available-for-sale and will be reported at fair
value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a
separate component of shareholders' equity. As a result of the adoption of this
statement, the Corporation's stockholders' equity at March 31, 1994 includes
$3.1 million, net of taxes, in unrealized holding gains on securities available
for sale.
 
     Total deposits at March 31, 1994, amounted to $8.8 billion compared with
$8.0 billion at March 31, 1993, an increase of $800 million. At December 31,
1993 total deposits amounted to $8.5 billion. Deposits at the end of this
quarter include $228.8 million acquired in Virgin Islands and $172.8 million
acquired in New York during the latter part of 1993, in addition to $292.7
million in Pioneer's deposits.
 
     Borrowings increased $859.5 million as compared with prior year. This rise
is mainly due to an increase of $196.7 million in federal funds purchased and
securities sold under agreements to repurchase and $494 million in other
short-term borrowings. Also, the issuance of an additional $255 million in
medium-term notes by BanPonce Financial to finance Spring's operations and an
increase of $69.2 million in commercial paper, contributed to the increase in
borrowings.
 
     Subordinated notes decreased $12 million from the $74 million outstanding
balance as of March 31, 1993, due to the prepayment in December of 1993 of a
7.95% note.
 
     Stockholders' equity at March 31, 1994, amounted to $858.5 million compared
with $771.6 million a year ago. This increase is related to earnings' retention,
the issuance of common stock through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and the
adjustment recognized on the Corporation's stockholders' equity due to the
implementation of SFAS 115 during the first quarter of 1994, as previously
explained.
 
     Book value per share increased to $26.21 as of March 31, 1994, compared
with $23.62 as of the same date last year. The market value of the Corporation's
common stock at March 31, 1994 was $31.50, compared with $29.25 at March 31,
1993. At the end of the quarter, the Corporation had a total market
capitalization of $1.03 billion. The Corporation Tier I, total capital and
leverage ratio at March 31, 1994, were 11.72%, 13.35% and 6.90%, respectively,
as compared with 12.93%, 14.90 and 7.35%, at March 31, 1993.
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>   65
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE CORPORATION OR BY THE UNDERWRITER. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE CORPORATION SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO
THIS DATE. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION
IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS
NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION.
                            ------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
BanPonce Corporation.......................  S-2
Selected Consolidated Financial Data.......  S-3
Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
  Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends....  S-4
Summary of Certain Terms of the Series A
  Preferred Stock..........................  S-4
Use of Proceeds............................  S-11
Certain Puerto Rico Tax Considerations.....  S-11
Certain United States Income Tax
  Considerations...........................  S-13
Underwriting...............................  S-15
Validity of the Series A Preferred Stock...  S-16
Experts....................................  S-16
                   PROSPECTUS
Available Information......................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference................................     2
BanPonce Corporation.......................     2
BanPonce Financial Corp....................     3
Popular International Bank Inc.............     3
Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed
  Charges..................................     3
Use of Proceeds............................     4
Certain Regulatory Matters.................     4
Description of Debt Securities and
  Guarantees...............................    10
Terms Applicable to the Senior Debt
  Securities or Subordinated Debt
  Securities...............................    15
Terms Applicable to Guaranteed
  Securities...............................    18
Terms Applicable to the PIB Senior Debt
  Securities or PIB Subordinated Debt
  Securities...............................    19
Description of Preferred Stock of the
  Corporation..............................    23
Description of Preferred Stock of PIB......    26
Validity of Offered Securities.............    29
Experts....................................    29
Plan of Distribution.......................    29
                    EXHIBITS
Exhibit A -- Interim Financial Information
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
                                3,600,000 SHARES
 
                                   BANPONCE
                                 CORPORATION

                             8.35% NON-CUMULATIVE
                       MONTHLY INCOME PREFERRED STOCK,
                                1994 SERIES A
                           (LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
                                $25 PER SHARE)
             ----------------------------------------------------
                            PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
             ----------------------------------------------------
                                 PAINEWEBBER
                         INCORPORATED OF PUERTO RICO
                                JUNE 17, 1994
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------


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