POPULAR INC
10-Q, 1997-05-14
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1





                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 FORM 10 - Q


                 QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (D)
                   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For Quarter Ended  March 31, 1997               Commission file number 0 - 13818
                   --------------                                      ---------

                                 POPULAR, INC.
           ------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Puerto Rico                                        66-041-6582
- ------------------------                               ------------------ 
 (State of incorporation)                               (I.R.S. Employer      
                                                       Identification No.)    

                           Popular Center Building
                      209 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey
                        San Juan, Puerto Rico  00918
                  ----------------------------------------
                  (Address of principal executive offices)
                                 (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (787) 765-9800
                                                   --------------

                             BANPONCE CORPORATION
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
                                   report)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                              Yes    X       No
                                  -------       -------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

   Common Stock $6.00 Par value                         66,153,776
   ----------------------------          ---------------------------------------
         (Title of Class)                (Shares Outstanding as of May 13, 1997)
<PAGE>   2

                                                                               2

                                 POPULAR, INC.
                              (THE "CORPORATION")
                                     INDEX



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Part I - Financial Information                                                            Page 
- ------------------------------                                                           ------
<S>                                                                                          <C>

   Item 1.  Financial Statements

                 Unaudited consolidated statements of condition
                  March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996.                                          3  
                                                                                             -----  

                 Unaudited consolidated statements of income - Quarter
                  ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.                                                 4   
                                                                                             -----   

                 Unaudited consolidated statements of cash
                  flows - Quarter ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.                                 5   
                                                                                             -----   

                 Notes to unaudited consolidated financial
                  statements.                                                                 6-14
                                                                                             -----  

   Item 2.  Management's discussion and analysis of
                 financial condition and results of operation.                               15-25
                                                                                             ----- 

Part II - Other Information
- ---------------------------

    Item 1. Legal proceedings - None                                                           N/A 
                                                                                             ----- 

    Item 2. Changes in securities - None                                                       N/A 
                                                                                             ----- 

    Item 3. Defaults upon senior securities - None                                             N/A 
                                                                                             ----- 

    Item 4. Submission of matters to a vote of
             security holders - None                                                           N/A 
                                                                                             ----- 

    Item 5. Other information                                                                   26 
                                                                                             ----- 

    Item 6. Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K                                                    27  
                                                                                             -----  

      ---   Signature                                                                           28 
                                                                                             -----   
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3

                                                                               3



POPULAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             March 31,              December 31,
(In thousands)                                                                  1997                   1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                                                      <C>                       <C>
ASSETS

Cash and due from banks                                                  $    447,113              $    492,368
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Money market investments:
Federal funds sold and securities and               
 mortgages purchased under agreements to resell                               728,381                   778,597
Time deposits with other banks                                                 59,831                    19,023
Banker's acceptances                                                            1,975                     2,656
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              790,187                   800,276
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investment securities available-for-sale, at market value                   3,963,115                 3,415,934
Investment securities held-to-maturity, at cost                             1,430,700                 1,197,066
Trading account securities, at market value                                   263,478                   292,150
Loans held-for-sale                                                           249,317                   255,129
Loans                                                                       9,972,694                 9,854,911
 Less - Unearned income                                                       332,757                   331,012
          Allowance for loan losses                                           191,360                   185,574
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            9,448,577                 9,338,325
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Premises and equipment                                                        372,957                   356,697
Other real estate                                                               6,615                     6,076
Customer's liabilities on acceptances                                           1,870                     3,100
Accrued income receivable                                                     108,320                    95,487
Other assets                                                                  191,912                   380,247
Intangible assets                                                             127,297                   131,248
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         $ 17,401,458              $ 16,764,103
===============================================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:
 Deposits:
  Non-interest  bearing                                                  $  2,213,435              $  2,330,704
  Interest bearing                                                          8,251,718                 8,432,571
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           10,465,153                10,763,275
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
 under agreements to repurchase                                             2,344,411                 1,875,465
Other short-term borrowings                                                 1,535,911                 1,404,006
Notes payable                                                               1,153,472                   986,713
Senior debentures                                                                                        30,000
Acceptances outstanding                                                         1,870                     3,100
Other liabilities                                                             338,126                   314,012
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           15,838,943                15,376,571
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subordinated notes                                                            125,000                   125,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in Popular
  North America's subordinated debentures                                     150,000                          
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stockholders' equity :
 Preferred stock                                                              100,000                   100,000
 Common stock                                                                 396,731                   396,531
 Surplus                                                                      497,462                   496,582
 Retained earnings                                                            303,268                   267,719
 Unrealized losses (gains) on securities available-for-sale, net of
  deferred taxes                                                               (9,946)                    1,700
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            1,287,515                 1,262,532
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          $17,401,458              $ 16,764,103
===============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements
<PAGE>   4

                                                                               4


POPULAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Quarter ended
                                                                                                         March 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)                                                      1997       1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                             <C>             <C>
INTEREST INCOME:
 Loans                                                                                          $246,353        $217,247
 Money market investments                                                                          8,867           8,673
 Investment securities                                                                            75,111          71,945
 Trading account securities                                                                        3,934           5,062
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 334,265         302,927
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTEREST EXPENSE:
 Deposits                                                                                         86,195          82,996
 Short-term borrowings                                                                            47,362          42,930
 Long-term debt                                                                                   20,064          14,541
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 153,621         140,467
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income                                                                              180,644         162,460
Provision for loan losses                                                                         23,687          21,273
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision
 for loan losses                                                                                 156,957         141,187
Service charges on deposit accounts                                                               21,819          21,076
Other service fees                                                                                22,169          17,380
(Loss) gain on sale of securities                                                                 (1,660)            729
Trading account profit                                                                               433             938
Other operating income                                                                            11,494          11,869
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 211,212         193,179
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Personnel costs:
 Salaries                                                                                         48,345          44,752
 Profit sharing                                                                                    6,440           6,070
 Pension and other benefits                                                                       16,700          16,981
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  71,485          67,803
 Net occupancy expense                                                                             9,002           9,318
 Equipment expenses                                                                               12,340          11,774
 Other taxes                                                                                       6,445           5,963
 Professional fees                                                                                12,414           9,916
 Communications                                                                                    7,581           6,316
 Business promotion                                                                                5,957           5,392
 Printing and supplies                                                                             3,644           2,923
 Other operating expenses                                                                          8,819           6,740
 Amortization of intangibles                                                                       4,438           4,554
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 142,125         130,699
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before taxes                                                                               69,087          62,480
Income taxes                                                                                      19,548          17,338
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME                                                                                      $ 49,539        $ 45,142
========================================================================================================================

NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK                                                           $ 47,452        $ 43,055
========================================================================================================================

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE                                                                       $   0.72        $   0.65
========================================================================================================================

</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements.
<PAGE>   5

                                                                               5



POPULAR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              For the quarter ended
                                                                                                     March 31,
(In thousands)                                                                                   1997        1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                                         <C>         <C>
  Net income                                                                                $    49,539 $    45,142 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided
  by operating activities:
 Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment                                         12,639      12,355
 Provision for loan losses                                                                       23,687      21,273
 Amortization of intangibles                                                                      4,438       4,554
 Loss (gain) on sale of investment securities available-for-sale                                  1,660        (729)
 Loss (gain)  on disposition of premises and equipment                                              160         (10)
 Gain on sale of loans                                                                           (4,388)     (2,792)
 Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on investments                                 596         755
 Decrease in loans held-for-sale                                                                  5,812      25,319
 Amortization of deferred loan fees and costs                                                    (1,101)        (45)
 Net decrease in trading securities                                                              28,671      35,101
 Net increase in interest receivable                                                            (12,833)    (20,708)
 Net decrease (increase) in other assets                                                        208,050     (13,032)
 Net decrease in interest payable                                                                (8,323)     (1,418)
 Net increase in current and deferred taxes                                                      10,317       6,208
 Net increase postretirement benefit obligation                                                   1,473       2,253
 Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities                                                     6,469      (5,791)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Total adjustments                                                                               277,327      63,293
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Net cash provided by operating activities                                                       326,866     108,435
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Net decrease in money market investments                                                        10,090     137,362
 Purchases of investment securities held-to-maturity                                         (7,028,117) (1,366,623)
 Maturities of investment securities held-to-maturity                                         6,851,253   1,354,385
 Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale                                       (2,056,260) (1,717,071)
 Maturities of investment securities available-for-sale                                          78,604     474,048
 Sales of investment securities available-for-sale                                            1,356,192   1,101,095
 Net disbursements on loans                                                                    (249,045)   (266,068)
 Proceeds from sale of loans                                                                    121,723      92,858
 Acquisition of  loan portfolios                                                                 (4,082)    (35,198)
 Acquisition of premises and equipment                                                          (35,520)    (24,452)
 Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment                                                     6,461       2,031
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Net cash used in investing activities                                                         (948,701)   (247,633)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Net (decrease) increase in deposits                                                           (298,121)    306,419
 Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and
  securities sold under agreements to repurchase                                                468,945    (448,047)
 Net increase in other short-term borrowings                                                    131,906     285,381
 Proceeds from issuance of notes payable                                                        166,759     116,117
 Payments of notes payable                                                                                 (161,957)
 Proceeds from issuance of Series A Capital Securities                                          150,000
 Payments of senior debentures                                                                  (30,000)
 Dividends paid                                                                                 (13,989)    (11,972)
 Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                                           1,080         974
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net cash provided by financing activities                                                       576,580      86,915
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Net decrease in cash and due from banks                                                         (45,255)    (52,283)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period                                                  492,368     458,173
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Cash and due from banks at end of period                                                    $   447,113 $   405,890
===================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements.
<PAGE>   6

                                                                               6


NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

NOTE 1- CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements of Popular, Inc. ("The Corporation,"
formerly BanPonce Corporation) include the balance sheet of the Corporation and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Popular Securities, Inc.; Popular International
Bank, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Popular North America, Inc.
("Popular North America", formerly BanPonce Financial Corp), including Banco
Popular, FSB, Pioneer Bancorp, Inc., CombanCorp (second tier subsidiaries) and
Equity One, Inc.; Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, Popular Leasing and Rental, Inc., Popular Consumer Services,
Inc. and Popular Home Mortgage, Inc.(formerly Popular Mortgage, Inc.) and
Metropolitana de Prestamos, Inc., as of March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
and their related statements of income and cash flows for the quarters ended
March 31, 1997 and 1996. 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, of a normal recurring
nature, for a fair prese reclassifications have been made to the prior year
consolidated financial statements to conform to the 1997 presentation.

NOTE 2- ACCOUNTING CHANGES

In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 129, "Disclosure of
Information about Capital Structure." This statement establishes standards for
disclosing information about an entity's capital structure. This statement is
effective for financial statements for periods ending after December 15, 1997.
However, it contains no change in disclosure requirements for entities that
were previously subject to the requirements of Opinion 10 and 15 and SFAS 47.

In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 128, "Earnings per Share." This
statement establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share
(EPS) and applies to entities with publicly held common stock or potential
common stock.  It simplifies the standards for computing earnings per share
previously found in APB Opinion 15, "Earnings per Share," and makes them
comparable to international EPS standards. SFAS 128 replaces the presentation
of primary earnings per share with a presentation of basic EPS. It also
requires dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income
statement for all entities with complex capital structures and requires a
reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to
the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation. This statement is
effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15,
1997, including interim periods and requires restatement of all prior period
EPS data presented.  Management understands that the adoption of this statement
will not have any significant effect on the earnings per share computation of
the Corporation.

In June 1996, the FASB issued SFAS 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing
of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," which supersedes SFAS
122 "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights". This statement provides
accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial
assets and extinguishment of liabilities.  Those standards are based on a
consistent application of a financial component approach that focuses on the
legal and physical control over the component. Under this approach, following a
transfer of financial assets, an entity recognizes the financial and servicing
assets it controls and the liabilities it has incurred, and derecognizes
financial assets for which control has been surrendered and financial
liabilities that have been extinguished. The provisions of this statement are
effective for transactions occurring
<PAGE>   7

                                                                               7

after December 31, 1996. However, the FASB issued SFAS 127, "Deferral of the
Effective Date of Certain Provisions of FASB Statement 125", that delays until
January 1, 1998, the effective date of those provisions of the statement that
deal with securities lending, repurchase agreements and similar transactions.
The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a financial impact on the
consolidated financial statement of the Corporation in the quarter ended March
31, 1997.  In addition, this statement requires that mortgage banking
enterprises recognize as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans
for others, whether those servicing rights are originated or purchased. Also,
it requires mortgage banking enterprises to assess capitalized mortgage
servicing rights for impairment based on the fair value of those rights. The
total cost of mortgage loans to be sold with servicing rights retained is
allocated to the mortgage servicing rights and the loans (without the mortgage
servicing rights) based on their relative fair values. These mortgage servicing
rights are amortized in proportion to and over the periods of estimated net
servicing income.

To estimate the fair value of mortgage servicing rights the Corporation
considers prices for similar assets and the present value of expected future
cash flows associated with the servicing rights calculated using assumptions
that market participants would use in estimating future servicing income and
expense. For purposes of evaluating and measuring impairment of capitalized
mortgage servicing rights, the Corporation stratifies such rights based on
predominant risk characteristics of underlying loans, such as loan type, rate
and term. The amount of impairment recognized if any, is the amount by which
the capitalized mortgage servicing rights per stratum exceeds its estimated
fair value. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance. As of March
31, 1997, the carrying value, estimated fair value and valuation allowance of
capitalized mortgage servicing rights were $26,367, $35,221 and $31,
respectively (1996- $23,898, $26,469 and $212).

Effective January 1, 1996, the Corporation adopted SFAS 123 "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation." This statement establishes a fair value-based method
of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. It encourages
entities to adopt this method in lieu of the provisions of APB Opinion  25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," for all arrangements under which
employees receive shares of stock or other equity instruments of the employer
or the employer incurs liabilities to employees in amounts based on the price
of its stock. Banco Popular provides a stock-based compensation plan for its
senior management. It is a three-year incentive plan under which shares of
stock of the Corporation are granted if long-term corporate performance and
objectives are met. For the quarters ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, the
Corporation recognized an expense of $223 and $103, respectively, related to
this plan.

Effective January 1, 1996, the Corporation adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." This statement requires
that long- lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be held and
used by an entity as well as assets held for disposition be reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For the first quarters of
1997 and 1996, no impairment recognition was necessary based on this
pronouncement.
<PAGE>   8

                                                                               8

NOTE 3 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The average maturities as of March 31, 1997, and market value for the following
investment securities are :

Investment securities available-for-sale:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   March 31,
                                                      1997                          1996
                                            Amortized        Market      Amortized        Market
                                               Cost          Value          Cost          Value
                                            -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
U.S. Treasury (average maturity of
 1 year and 3 months)                      $2,669,908    $2,663,911      $2,454,152    $2,453,291
Obligations of other U.S. Government
 agencies and corporations (average
 maturity of 6 years and 7 months)            312,604       308,669         440,015       439,624
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and
 political subdivisions (average
 maturity of 6 years and 9 months)             39,305        39,118          26,468        26,564
Collateralized mortgage obligations (average
 maturity of 2 years)                         486,786       485,339         109,047       108,342
Mortgage-backed securities (average
 maturity of 18 years and 4 months)           426,975       425,964         260,168       256,910
Equity securities (without contractual
 maturity)                                     20,238        20,753          27,703        34,436
Others (average maturity of 12 years
 and 9 months)                                     
                                                   
                                               19,362        19,361          18,050        18,050
                                           ------------------------------------------------------
                                           $3,975,178    $3,963,115      $3,335,603    $3,337,217
                                           ======================================================
</TABLE>

Investment securities held-to-maturity:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           March 31,                                      
                                                            1997                                1996    
                                                 Amortized          Market          Amortized          Market           
                                                   Cost             Value              Cost             Value             
                                                --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>                 
U.S. Treasury (average maturity of 7 months)    $  370,721       $  370,323        $  924,137       $  927,247          
Obligations of other U.S. Government                                                                                    
 agencies and corporations (average                                                                                     
 maturity of 1 month)                              739,617          739,064           132,271          130,950          
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and                                                                                  
 political subdivisions (average                                                                                        
 maturity of 6 years and 11 months)                 59,725           60,761           218,222          220,124          
Collateralized mortgage obligations (average                                                                            
  maturity of 1 year and 6 months)                 130,117          129,583           262,655          260,900          
Mortgage-backed securities (average                                                                                     
  maturity of 4 years and 2 months)                 53,159           52,646            59,706           60,395          
Equity securities (without contractual                                                                                  
  maturity)                                         64,620           64,620            47,674           47,674          
Others (average maturity of 3 years                                                                                     
 and 9 months)                                      12,741           12,706            12,394           12,430          
                                                --------------------------------------------------------------          
                                                $1,430,700       $1,429,703        $1,657,059       $1,659,720          
                                                ==============================================================          
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   9

                                                                               9

NOTE 4- PLEDGED ASSETS

Securities and insured mortgage loans of the Corporation of $3,709,321 (1996 -
$2,774,689) 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, 1997, amounted to $17,923 and
$113,143. There are also outstanding other 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>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   March 31,
                                                                              1997          1996
                                                                   --------------------------------
         <S>                                                               <C>           <C>
         Subordinated notes issued by the Corporation on
           December 12, 1995, maturing on December 15,
           2005, with interest payable semi-annually at 6.75%              $125,000      $125,0000
                                                                   -------------------------------

         Subordinated notes issued by Banco Popular on March
           29, 1989, which matured on June 15, 1996, with
           interest payable quarterly and consisting of:

         8.875% Fixed Rate Notes series A                                                $  15,000
         8.6875% Fixed Rate Notes series B                                                  15,000
         Floating Rate Notes series A with interest
           payable at 88% of LIBID rate                                                     19,000
         Floating Rate Notes series B with interest
           payable  at 86% of LIBID rate                                                     1,000
                                                                   -------------------------------
                                                                                            50,000
                                                                   -------------------------------
                                                                            $125,000     $ 175,000
                                                                   ===============================

</TABLE>

NOTE 7 - GUARANTEED PREFERRED BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN POPULAR NORTH AMERICA'S
         SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

On February 5, 1997, the Corporation, through its underwriters, sold to
institutional investors $150 million of capital securities. BanPonce Trust I, a
statutory business trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware issued
$150 million of Capital Securities, Series A at 8.327%. The proceeds were       
upstreamed to Popular North America in return for junior subordinated debt
under the same terms and conditions. These capital securities qualify as Tier I
capital, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Corporation, and are
presented in the Consolidated Statements of Condition as "Guaranteed Preferred
Beneficial Interests in Popular North America's Subordinated Debentures."The
sole asset of BanPonce Trust I is $150 million of Junior Subordinated
Debentures issued by Popular North America. These junior subordinated
debentures also carry an interest rate of 8.327 percent. Both the capital
securities of BanPonce Trust I and the junior subordinated debentures of
Popular North America will mature on February 1, 2027; however, under certain
circumstances, the maturity of both may be shortened to a date not earlier than
February 1, 2007.
<PAGE>   10

                                                                              10

NOTE 8- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Authorized common stock is 90,000,000 shares with a par value of $6 per share
of which 66,121,855 are issued and outstanding at March 31, 1997. On April
26,1996, the Corporation's Board of Directors authorized a stock split of one
share for each share outstanding effected in the form of a dividend, effective
July 1, 1996. As a result of the split, 33,000,590 shares were issued, and
$198,004 were transferred from retained earnings to common stock. All
references in the financial statements to the numbers of common shares and per
share amounts have been restated to reflect the stock split. Authorized
preferred stock is 10,000,000 shares without par value of which 4,000,000,
non-cumulative with a dividend rate of 8.35% and a liquidation preference value
of $25 per share, are issued and outstanding at March 31, 1997.

NOTE 9- EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings per common share (EPS) are calculated based on net income applicable
to common stockholders which amounted to $47,452 and $43,055 for the quarters
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 respectively, after deducting the dividends on
preferred stock.  EPS are based on 66,121,855 and 65,949,872 average shares
outstanding for the first quarter of 1997 and 1996, respectively, after
restating for the stock split.

NOTE 10 - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

During the quarter ended March 31, 1997 the Corporation paid interest and
income taxes amounting to $160,892  and $4,732, respectively (1996 - $148,341
and $5,554). In addition, the loans receivable transferred to other real estate
and other property for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, amounted to $1,524 and
$1,430, respectively (1996 - $468 and $1,142). The Corporation's stockholders'
equity at March 31, 1997 includes  $9,946 in unrealized holding losses on
securities available-for-sale, net of deferred taxes, as compared with $19 in
unrealized losses as of March 31, 1996.
<PAGE>   11

                                                                              11


NOTE 11- POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK, INC. (A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
         POPULAR, INC.) FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

The following summarized financial information presents the unaudited
consolidated financial position of Popular International Bank, Inc. and its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Popular North America, Inc. including its wholly owned
subsidiaries: Pioneer Bancorp, Inc., Banco Popular, FSB, and CombanCorp
(second-tier subsidiaries) and Equity One, Inc. as of March 31, 1997 and 1996,
and the results of their operations for the quarters then ended.


                       POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
                                (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  March 31,
                                                                                  ---------
                                                                        1997                    1996
                                                                        ----                    ----
<S>                                                                <C>                     <C>
Assets:
Cash                                                               $   32,722              $   34,292
Money market investments                                              139,745                  86,866
Investment securities                                                 159,899                 224,632
Loans                                                               1,677,408               1,222,111
Less: Unearned income                                                  47,919                  43,430
        Allowance for loan losses                                      24,212                  17,416
                                                                   ----------              ----------
                                                                    1,605,277               1,161,265
Other assets                                                           83,172                  67,585
                                                                   ----------              ----------

   Total assets                                                    $2,020,815              $1,574,640
                                                                   ==========              ==========

Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity:

Deposits                                                           $  680,377              $  568,158
Short-term borrowings                                                 286,458                 264,781
Notes payable                                                         629,175                 564,685
Other liabilities                                                      34,666                  34,204
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in
 Popular North America's subordinated
 debentures                                                           150,000
Stockholder's equity                                                  240,139                 142,812
                                                                   ----------              ----------

   Total liabilities and stockholder's equity                      $2,020,815              $1,574,640
                                                                   ==========              ==========


</TABLE>


<PAGE>   12

                                                                              12


                       POPULAR INTERNATIONAL BANK, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Quarter ended
                                                                     March 31,
                                                                     ---------


                                                        1997                            1996
                                                        ----                            ----
<S>                                                   <C>                             <C>
Income:
Interest and fees                                     $45,877                         $35,341
Other Income                                            2,794                           4,194
                                                      -------                         -------
   Total income                                        48,671                          39,535
                                                      -------                         -------
Expenses:
Interest expense                                       23,850                          19,819
Provision for loan losses                               3,685                           2,810
Operating expenses                                     13,735                          10,252
                                                      -------                         -------
   Total expenses                                      41,270                          32,881
                                                      -------                         -------

Income before income tax                                7,401                           6,654
Income tax                                              3,294                           2,670
                                                      -------                         -------

   Net income                                         $ 4,107                         $ 3,984
                                                      =======                         =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   13

                                                                              13

NOTE 12 - POPULAR NORTH AMERICA, INC. (FORMERLY BANPONCE FINANCIAL CORP)
          (A SECOND TIER SUBSIDIARY OF POPULAR, INC.) FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

The following summarized financial information presents the unaudited
consolidated financial position of Popular North America, Inc. and its 
wholly-owned subsidiaries Pioneer Bancorp Inc.,Banco Popular, FSB, CombanCorp
and Equity One, Inc. (second tier subsidiary) as of March 31, 1997 and 1996,
and the results of their operations for the quarters then ended.

                         POPULAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
                                (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                March 31,
                                                                                --------
                                                                      1997                    1996
                                                                      ----                    ----
<S>                                                               <C>                     <C>
Assets:
Cash                                                              $   32,606              $   34,268
Money market investments                                              82,747                  85,803
Investment securities                                                159,801                 224,632

Loans                                                              1,677,408               1,222,111
Less: Unearned income                                                 47,919                  43,430
        Allowance for loan losses                                     24,212                  17,416
                                                                  ----------              ----------
                                                                   1,605,277               1,161,265
Other assets                                                          80,412                  67,468
                                                                  ----------              ----------

   Total assets                                                   $1,960,843              $1,573,436
                                                                  ==========              ==========
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity:

Deposits                                                          $  680,377              $  568,158
Short-term borrowings                                                286,458                 264,781
Notes payable                                                        629,175                 564,685
Other liabilities                                                     34,562                  34,195
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in
  Popular North America's subordinated
  debentures                                                         150,000
Stockholder's equity                                                 180,271                 141,617
                                                                  ----------              ----------

   Total liabilities and stockholder's equity                     $1,960,843              $1,573,436
                                                                  ==========              ==========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   14

                                                                              14


                         POPULAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                (In thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Quarter ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                        ----------

                                               1997                             1996
                                               ----                             ----
<S>                                          <C>                             <C>
Income:

Interest and fees                            $45,128                         $35,324
Other Income                                   2,796                           4,194
                                             -------                         -------

   Total income                               47,924                          39,518
                                             -------                         -------

Expenses:
Interest expense                              23,850                          19,819
Provision for loan losses                      3,685                           2,810
Operating expenses                            13,626                          10,276
                                             -------                         -------

   Total expenses                             41,161                          32,905
                                             -------                         -------

Income before income tax                       6,763                           6,613
Income tax                                     3,294                           2,670
                                             -------                         -------

   Net income                                $ 3,469                         $ 3,943
                                             =======                         =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   15

                                                                              15

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS 

This financial review contains the analysis of the consolidated financial
position and financial performance of Popular, Inc. and its subsidiaries
(the Corporation). The Corporation is a regional diversified bank holding
company engaged in the following businesses through its subsidiaries.

    - Commercial Banking/Savings and Loan - Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
      (BPPR), Banco Popular, Illinois, Banco Popular, FSB and Banco Popular,
      N.A. (California), acquired on September 30, 1996

    - Lease Financing -Popular Leasing and Rental, Inc.

    - Mortgage Banking/Consumer Finance - Popular Home Mortgage, Inc. (formerly
      Popular Mortgage, Inc.), Equity One, Inc. (Equity One) and Popular 
      Consumer Services, Inc. (d/b/a Best Finance)

    - Investment Banking -Popular Securities, Inc. (Popular Securities)

This financial review should be read together with the consolidated financial
statements, supplemental financial data and tables included in this report.

NET INCOME

The Corporation reported net earnings of $49.5 million for the first quarter of
1997, compared with $45.1 million for the same period in 1996, and $47.7
million during the last quarter of 1996. Earnings per common share (EPS) for
the quarter were $0.72, based on 66,121,855 average shares outstanding,
compared with EPS of $0.65 for the first quarter of 1996, based on 65,949,872
average shares outstanding, and EPS of $0.69 for the fourth quarter of 1996,
based on 66,088,506 average shares outstanding. All per share data have been
adjusted to reflect the stock split effected in the form of a dividend of one
share for each share outstanding, effective July 1, 1996. Return on assets
(ROA) and return on common equity (ROE) for the quarter ended March 31, 1997
were 1.19% and 16.32%, respectively, compared with 1.17% and 16.39% reported
during the first quarter of 1996 and 1.13% and 15.76% for the last quarter of
1996.  

Net interest income, discussed below, was the principal contributor to the rise
of $4.4 million in net earnings, with an increase of $18.2 million, followed by
an increase in other operating income of $5.1 million, partially offset by
lower gains on sale of securities and trading transactions of $2.9 million, and
rises of $11.4 million in operating expenses, $2.4 million in provision for
loan losses and $2.2 million in the income tax provision.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income for the first quarter of 1997 reached $180.6 million
compared with $162.4 million reported for the same quarter in 1996. On a
taxable equivalent basis, net interest income increased to $193.3 million from
$174.5 million in the same quarter of 1996. This rise resulted from a $16.6
million increase due to a higher volume of earning assets and a $2.2 million
increase due to a higher net interest yield. For analytical purposes, the
interest earned on tax-exempt assets is adjusted to a taxable equivalent basis
assuming the applicable statutory income tax rates.
<PAGE>   16

                                                                              16

Average earning assets reached $15.9 billion for the quarter ended March 31,
1997, compared with $14.6 billion for the same quarter of 1996. The increase in
average earning assets relates primarily to a rise of $1.0 billion in average
loans, reaching  $9.8 billion as compared with $8.8 billion for the same
quarter in 1996. The rise relates mainly to increases of $538 million in the
average commercial and construction portfolio and of $315 million in the
average consumer loan portfolio, principally at BPPR.

The average yield on loans, on a taxable equivalent basis, rose to 10.22% from
10.04% reported during the first quarter of 1996. The loan categories that were
responsible for most of the increase were commercial and consumer loans.
Commercial loans had an average yield for the quarter of 9.09%, compared with
8.89% in the first quarter of 1996, while consumer loans had an average yield
for the quarter of 13.08%, compared with 12.79% for the first quarter of 1996.

Average money market investments reached $690 million for the first quarter of
1997, compared with $657 million for the same period of 1996. The yield on
money market investments decreased to 5.21% from 5.31% reported in the first
quarter of 1996.

Average investment securities reached $5.1 billion compared with $4.9 billion
reported for the same quarter in 1996.  The increase relates principally to a
higher average volume at BPPR, mainly in collateralized mortgage obligations,
mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury securities, partially offset by a
lower average balance of investments required by local regulations to all
recipients of 936 funds which have a yield substantially below market rates.
The average yield of the Corporation's investment portfolio, on a taxable
equivalent basis, including both available-for- sale and held to maturity
investments increased four basis points to 6.80% during the three-month period
ended March 31, 1997, from 6.76% during the same period of 1996.

The average balance of trading account securities for the first quarter of 1997
was $285 million compared with $330 million reported for the same quarter last
year, a decrease of $45 million. Popular Securities experienced a decrease of 
$59 million compared with the first quarter of 1996. The taxable equivalent 
yield on trading account securities increased 20 basis points to 6.32% from 
6.12% reported in the first quarter of 1996.

As a result of the larger volume of higher-yielding assets coupled with
improvements in yields of most loan categories, the average yield on earning
assets, on a taxable equivalent basis, reached 8.83% for the first quarter of
1997, or 19 basis points higher than 8.64% reported during the first quarter of
1996.

On the liability side, average interest bearing liabilities of the Corporation
were $13.1 billion for the three-month period ended March 31, 1997, compared
with $12.2 billion for the same period of 1996. Average interest bearing
deposits increased $200 million, despite a decrease of $291 million in average
936 deposits. The increase was  mostly in savings accounts which rose $164
million and NOW and money market deposits which rose $50 million for the first
quarter of 1997.  Average certificates of deposits, excluding 936 deposits,
rose $278 million. Average demand deposits grew by $221 million from $2.0
billion to $2.2 billion during the first quarter of 1997.

The average costs of interest bearing deposits for the quarters ended March 31,
1997 and 1996 were 4.21% and 4.12%, respectively. The increase of nine basis
points in the average cost was principally attributed to a rise in the cost of
certificates of deposit, from 5.23% in the first quarter of 1996 to 5.41% for
the same quarter in 1997. Traditionally 936 certificates of deposit had a cost
below that of the U.S. or the Eurodollar market. During the first quarter of
1996, these deposits had an average cost of 4.61% and comprised 24.7% of  total
average certificates of deposit compared with 4.71% and 17.3% during the first
quarter of 1997. That reduction in the proportion of 936 deposits was among the
factors resulting in an increase in the average cost of certificates of
deposit.
<PAGE>   17

                                                                              17

Savings accounts and NOW and money market deposits also reflected increases in
their average costs. Savings accounts increased from 3.02% during the first
quarter of 1996 to 3.06% for the same period in 1997, while the average cost of
NOW and money market deposits rose from 3.23% to 3.35% for the three-month
period ended March 31,1997.

Average short-term borrowings increased $265 million to $3.6 billion during the
first quarter of 1997 compared with $3.3 billion reported during the same
period of 1996. The increase mostly occurred at BPPR, whose average balance
increased $445 million due to the reduction in 936 deposits and arbitrage
opportunities. This increase was partially offset by a decrease at Popular
Securities of $215 million in its average balance as a result of lower 936 
borrowings. The average cost of short-term borrowings for the quarter ended 
March 31, 1997, increased by 16 basis points, from 5.23% to 5.39% in 1997, due 
to both a decrease in the average balance of 936 repurchase agreements and 
general market conditions.

Average long and medium term-debt increased $472 million, from $810 million in
the first quarter of 1996 to $1.3 billion for the same quarter of 1997. This
increase was mostly experienced at BPPR and the holding company. The average
cost of long and medium term debt for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, was
6.34% compared with 7.22% for the same quarter last year. Also, in February
1997, the Corporation issued $150 million in Capital Securities which qualify
as Tier I capital for regulatory purposes. These securities mature on February
2027.

As a result of the increase in the average costs of interest bearing deposits
and short-term borrowings the total cost of interest bearing liabilities rose
11 basis points, from 4.63% to 4.74% for the first quarter of 1997. The cost of
funding earning assets also increased, from 3.86% for the first quarter of 1996
to 3.93% for the same quarter in 1997.

Notwithstanding the increase in the cost of funds, the rise in the yield on
earning assets was strong enough to move the net interest yield, on a taxable
equivalent basis, upward to 4.90% for the first quarter of 1997 from 4.78% for
the same quarter in 1996 and 4.84% in the last quarter of 1996.

Table A below contains a summary of the results of the Corporation's net
interest yield, on a taxable equivalent basis, for the first quarter of 1997
and 1996.
<PAGE>   18

                                                                              18


TABLE A
NET INTEREST INCOME (TAXABLE EQUIVALENT BASIS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(Dollars in millions)                                                  First Quarter                         
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1997 Average                1996 Average         
                                                     -------------------------------------------------
                                                     Balance        Rate           Balance        Rate
                                                     -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>            <C>             <C>

Earning assets                                       $15,856       8.83%          $14,631         8.64%
                                                     =======                      =======              

Financed by:
 Interest bearing funds                              $13,147       4.74%          $12,210         4.63%

Non-interest bearing funds                             2,709                        2,421
                                                     -------                      -------

  TOTAL                                              $15,856       3.93%          $14,631         3.86%
                                                     =======                      =======              

Net interest income
 per books                                           $ 180.6                      $ 162.4
Taxable equivalent
 adjustment                                             12.7                         12.1
                                                     -------                      ------- 

Net interest income on a
 taxable equivalent basis                            $ 193.3                      $ 174.5
                                                     =======                      =======

Spread                                                             4.09%                          4.01%
Net interest yield                                                 4.90%                          4.78%

</TABLE>
In August 1996, the U.S. Congress approved legislation that repealed Section
936 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The bill approved repealed the Qualified
Possession Source Investment Income (QPSII) for taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1995. As expected, the Corporation has experienced a reduction in
the volume of 936 funds and its further substitution with conventional
higher-cost funds. Factors such as a higher rate charged on loans previously
tied to a 936 market rate and a higher rate on investments required by local
regulations to all recipients of 936 funds has helped mitigate the impact of
the resulting higher cost of funds. Also, some 936 Corporations have chosen not
to withdraw all their funds from financial institutions and have, instead,
invested those funds at a longer term to reduce the tollgate taxes applicable
upon repatriating those funds. As a result, the cost of those funds have
remained below that of the U.S. or Eurodollar market. At March 31, 1997, the
Corporation maintained $1.9 billion in 936 funds, representing 11.7% of its
liabilities compared with $2.5 billion or 17.3% at the same date in 1996 and
$2.2 billion or 14.2% at December 31, 1996.
<PAGE>   19

                                                                              19

PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 1997, totaled $23.7
million or a $2.4 million increase from $21.3 million reported for the same
quarter of 1996. During the fourth quarter of 1996, the provision was $23.5
million. Net charge-offs for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, reached $17.9
million or 0.73% of average loans, compared with $14.9 million or 0.68% for the
same quarter in 1996, and $20.3 million or 0.84% for the quarter ended on
December 31, 1996.  Table B below presents information for the quarter ended
March 31,1997 and the previous four quarters.

TABLE B

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter                                       Provision for               Net           Allowance for
 Ended                                        Loan Losses            Charge Offs         Loan Losses 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     (In millions)
<S>                                              <C>                    <C>                  <C>
March 31, 1997                                   $23.7                  $17.9                $191
December 31, 1996                                 23.5                   20.3                 186
September 30, 1996                                22.4                   18.8                 182
June 30, 1996                                     21.7                   18.1                 178
March 31, 1996                                    21.3                   14.9                 175

</TABLE>
Consumer and commercial loans net charge-offs increased $2.5 million and $2.0
million, respectively. Consumer loans net charge-offs totaled $8.6 million or
1.28% of average consumer loans for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, while
commercial loans net losses amounted to $7.4 million or 0.78% of the average
commercial portfolio. For the same quarter last year, consumer and commercial
loans net charge-offs represented 1.02% and 0.66%, respectively, of their
average portfolio. Most of the rise in net credit losses in the consumer
category was experienced at BPPR and Equity One which recorded $1.3 million and
$0.8 million, respectively, over the amount recognized for the same quarter of
the previous year. In the commercial loan category, BPPR was responsible for
the rise of $2.0 million in net loans charged-off.  Lease financing and
construction loans net charge-offs decreased $1.2 million and  $0.4 million,
respectively, when compared with the first quarter of 1996. The decrease in net
charge-offs in the lease financing portfolio resulted from a higher level of
recoveries, as a result of the more aggressive charge-off policy implemented in
1996 by the Corporation's leasing subsidiaries.

As shown in Table C, the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 1997, amounted
to $191 million, representing 1.94% of loans, compared with $175 million or
1.97% at the same date last year. At December 31, 1996, the allowance for loan
losses was $186 million or 1.90% of loans. Management considers that the
allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb potential write-offs of the
loan portfolio, based on the process established to assess its adequacy. This
process incorporates portfolio risk characteristics, results of periodic credit
reviews, prior loss experience, current and anticipated economic conditions and
loan impairment measurement.
<PAGE>   20

                                                                              20

TABLE C

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND SELECTED LOAN LOSSES STATISTICS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      First Quarter

(Dollars in thousands)                                              1997          1996      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                               <C>            <C>
Balance at beginning of period                                    $185,574       $168,393
Provision for loan losses                                           23,687         21,273                                 
                                                                  -----------------------
                                                                   209,261        189,666
                                                                  -----------------------
Losses charged to the allowance
  Commercial                                                        11,200          9,215
  Construction                                                         300            693
  Lease financing                                                    6,283          3,325
  Mortgage                                                             529            597
  Consumer                                                          12,001          9,513   
                                                                  -----------------------   
                                                                    30,313         23,343   
                                                                  -----------------------   
Recoveries
  Commercial                                                         3,823          3,859
  Construction                                                           1              1
  Lease financing                                                    5,129            947
  Mortgage                                                              36            112
  Consumer                                                           3,423          3,482
                                                                  -----------------------
                                                                    12,412          8,401
                                                                  -----------------------
Net  loans charged-off                                              17,901         14,942     
                                                                  -----------------------     
Balance at end of period                                          $191,360       $174,724
                                                                  =======================

Ratios:
  Allowance for losses to loans                                       1.94           1.97%
  Allowance to non-performing assets                                109.99         116.00
  Allowance to non-performing loans                                 116.63         124.30
  Non-performing assets to loans                                      1.76           1.70
  Non-performing assets to total assets                               1.00           0.95
  Net charge-offs to average loans                                    0.73           0.68
  Provision to net charge-offs                                        1.32X          1.42x
  Net charge-offs earnings coverage                                   5.18           5.61

</TABLE>
As required by SFAS 114, the Corporation has defined impaired loans as all
loans with interest and/or principal past due 90 days or more and other
specific loans for which, based on current information and events, it is
probable that the debtor will be unable to pay all amounts due according to the
contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loan impairment is measured based on
the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's effective
rate, on the observable market price or, on the fair value of the collateral if
the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogenous
loans are collectively evaluated for impairment based on past experience. All
other loans are evaluated on a loan-
<PAGE>   21

                                                                              21

by-loan basis. Impaired loans for which the discounted cash flows, collateral
value or market price equals or exceeds its carrying value do not require an
allowance. At March 31, 1997, the Corporation had $99 million in loans
considered impaired of which $65 million had a related allowance for possible
loan losses of $18 million. As of the same date last year, loans considered
impaired amounted to $80 million of which $38 million had a related allowance
for loan losses of $9 million. Average impaired loans during the first quarter
of 1997 and 1996 were $97 million and $83 million, respectively. The
Corporation recognized interest income on impaired loans of $1.0 million and
$0.9 million, for the quarters ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

CREDIT QUALITY

Non-performing assets (NPA) consist of past-due loans on which no interest
income is being accrued, renegotiated loans and other real estate. The
Corporation reports NPA on a more conservative basis than most U.S. banks. The
standard industry practice is to place non-performing commercial loans on
non-accrual status when payments of principal or interest are delinquent 90
days. However, the Corporation's policy is to place commercial loans on
non-accrual status when payments of principal or interest are delinquent 60
days. Lease financing, conventional mortgage and closed-end consumer loans are
placed on non-accrual status when 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 when 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 practice, closed-end consumer loans are charged-off when delinquent
120 days, but these consumer loans are not customarily placed on non-accrual
status prior to being charged-off.

As shown in Table D, NPA as of March 31, 1997, amounted to $174 million or
1.76% of  loans, compared with $151 million or 1.70% at March 31, 1996. NPA
were $155 million or 1.58% of loans at December 31, 1996.

Non-performing loans totaled $164 million as of March 31, 1997 compared with
$141 million at the same date last year and $145 million as of December 31,
1996.  Most of the increase from March 31, 1996, was reflected in
non-performing mortgage and consumer loans which rose $18.4 million and $5.0
million, respectively. Most of the increase in non- performing mortgage loans
was experienced at Equity One, and it was related to the rise in personal
bankruptcies in the mainland and the growth in its  mortgage loan portfolio.
Non-performing commercial loans increased $1.3 million over the amount as of
March 31, 1996, while non-performing lease financings decreased $1.1 million
and other real estate showed a decline of $0.7 million.
<PAGE>   22

                                                                              22

TABLE D 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          NPA                   Allowance
                                                                        as a %                    as a %
     Date                                            NPA                of Loans                  of NPA       
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               (Dollars in millions)
<S>                                                  <C>                  <C>                     <C>
March 31, 1997                                       $174                 1.76%                   110.0%
December 31, 1996                                     155                 1.58                    119.9
September 30, 1996                                    153                 1.60                    118.9
June 30, 1996                                         152                 1.64                    117.0
March 31, 1996                                        151                 1.70                    116.0

</TABLE>
Assuming standard industry practice of placing commercial loans on non-accrual
status when payments of principal or interest 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, 1997, amounted to $124 million or 1.25% of
loans, and the allowance for loan losses would be 154.3% of non-performing
assets. At March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1996, adjusted non-performing assets
were $111 million and $117 million, respectively, or 1.26% and 1.19% of loans.

Accruing loans that are contractually past-due 90 days or more as to principal
or interest as of March 31, 1997, amounted to $11.4  million compared with
$11.5 million at March 31, 1996, and $12.3 million at December 31, 1996.

OTHER OPERATING INCOME

Other operating income, excluding securities and trading transactions, amounted
to $55.4 million for the first quarter of 1997 compared with $50.3 million for
the same quarter in 1996, an increase of $5.1 million or 10.2%. This rise in
other income was principally driven by an increase of $4.8 million in other
service fees and $0.7 million in service charges on deposit accounts. Partially
offsetting these increases was a decrease of $0.4 million in other operating
income. Total other operating income for the last quarter of 1996, amounted to
$54.5 million.

Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $21.8 million for the quarter ended
March 31, 1997, compared with $21.1 million for the same quarter of 1996. This
increase resulted from the growth in the activity of commercial accounts,
particularly at BPPR. In addition, the operations of Banco Popular N.A.
(California), acquired on September 30, 1996, contributed approximately $0.3
million in these service charges for the quarter.

Other service fees for the first three months of 1997, amounted to $22.2
million compared with $17.4 million for the same period of 1996. The increase
in other service fees was principally attained at BPPR where debit card fees
rose $1.5 million, reflecting the growing volume of point-of-sale (POS)
terminals and transactions. The volume of transactions at POS terminals
increased from a monthly average of approximately 1,536,000 in March 1996 to
2,524,000 a year later. Also at BPPR, credit card fees and discounts rose $1.2
million, as credit card net sales rose 29.0% and the number of credit card
active accounts grew 15.7%. In addition, fees related to the sale and
administration of investment products and credit life insurance fees rose $0.6
million and $0.5 million, respectively. The growth in credit life insurance
fees resulted mainly from a higher volume of  personal loans originated during
this quarter which exceeded the originations for the first quarter of 1996 by
3,234 loans.
<PAGE>   23

                                                                              23


Other operating income decreased $0.4 million, from $11.9 million for the first
quarter of 1996 to $11.5 million for the same period in 1997. This decrease
resulted mainly from the reduction in gains realized from the sale of mortgage
loans by Equity One and a decrease in investment banking and underwriting fees
at Popular Securities.  Partially offsetting these reductions was a realized 
gain of $2.5 million on the securitization and sale of mortgage loans recorded 
at BPPR.

The Corporation recognized a net loss of $1.7 million in the sale of
securities during the first quarter of 1997, principally reflected at BPPR as a
result of the sale of U.S. Treasury securities. These securities were sold as
part of an asset/liability strategy, which included the sale of securitized
mortgage loans, in order to maintain the duration of the assets of the
Corporation and reinvest the proceeds in higher-yielding investments. Also,
during the first three months of 1997, the Corporation realized a net profit on
trading transactions amounting to $0.4 million. The Corporation had a combined
net gain of $1.7 million resulting from securities and trading activities for
the first three months of 1996.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating expenses for the first quarter of 1997 were $142.1 million compared
with $130.7 million for the same quarter in 1996, an increase of $11.4 million
principally reflecting higher personnel costs, professional fees, printing and
supplies expenses, business promotion and communication expenses. Operating
expenses for the last quarter of 1996 amounted to $143.9 million.

The largest category of operating expenses, personnel costs, totaled $71.5
million for the first three months of 1997, compared with $67.8 million for the
same period in 1996, an increase of $3.7 million or 5.4%. Salaries accounted
for the largest portion of the increase in personnel costs, rising $3.6 million
or 8.0% to $48.3 million, compared with $44.7 million in 1996. This increase
was due largely to annual merit increases and greater use of incentive pay to
compensate productivity and sales efforts. Also, full-time equivalent employees
(FTE) amounted to 7,981 at the end of this quarter, up 145 from 7,836 FTEs at
the same date in 1996. Profit sharing expense rose $0.4 million primarily due
to the improvement in BPPR's profitability ratios. Partially offsetting these
increases was a reduction of $0.3 million in pension and other benefits, as a
result of an expense of $1.2 million for staff uniforms recorded at BPPR during
the first quarter of 1996 in order to emphasize its corporate image at all
branches. The operations of Banco Popular N.A. (California) accounted for $0.7
million in personnel costs for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

Operating expenses, excluding personnel costs, increased $7.7 million, reaching
$70.6 million for the first quarter of 1997, compared with $62.9 million for
the same period in 1996. The increase in these operating expenses was mostly
reflected in professional fees which grew $2.5 million, reflecting expenditures
for purchased software associated with systems enhancements and consulting
services related to the Corporation's strategic initiatives. Business
promotion, printing and supplies and communications grew a combined $2.6
million due to the investment needed to support the continuing growth of the
Corporation's business activity and the development of new products and
services.  Also, equipment expenses increased $0.6 million, mostly as a result
of the expansion of the electronic payment system and the network of POS
terminals. By the end of  the first quarter of 1997, the Corporation had
increased its automated teller machine (ATM) network by 46 machines and
installed 4,176 additional POS terminals, when compared with the same date a
year earlier, further expanding its electronic delivery capabilities. Moreover,
other operating expenses rose $2.1 million mainly at BPPR, reflecting higher
FDIC assessment and interchange expenses related to the growing volume of
electronic transactions. The operations of Banco Popular N.A. (California)
accounted for $0.7 million in operating expenses, excluding personnel costs,
for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.
<PAGE>   24

                                                                              24


Income tax expense rose $2.2 million from $17.3 million in the first quarter of
1996 to $19.5 million in the same quarter this year, primarily as a result of
higher pre-tax earnings. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 1997
was 28.3%, compared with 27.7% for the same period in 1996.

BALANCE SHEET COMMENTS

Total assets at March 31, 1997, were $17.4 billion compared with $15.8 billion
at the same date last year, an increase of $1.6 billion or 10.1%. At December
31, 1996, total assets were $16.8 billion. For the first quarter of 1997,
average assets amounted to $16.9 billion compared with $15.6 billion for the
quarter ended March 31, 1996, an increase of 8.7%.  Average assets for the year
ended December 31, 1996 were $16.3 billion.

Earning assets at March 31, 1997, amounted to $16.3 billion compared with $14.8
billion at March 31, 1996 and $15.5 billion at December 31, 1996. Loans
amounted to $9.9 billion at March 31, 1997, compared with $8.9 billion a year
ago.  During the first quarter of 1997 the Corporation enjoyed growth in most
loans categories. Commercial and construction loans increased from $3.5 billion
at March 31, 1996 to $4.0 billion at March 31, 1997, a rise of $529 million or
15.0%.  BPPR accounted for $403 million of the increase, while Banco Popular
N.A. (California) had $62 million in commercial loans at March 31,1997.
Mortgage loans rose $195 million or 8.0% as compared with March 31, 1996. Most
of the increase was at Equity One, which rose $212 million, partially offset by
a decrease of $70 million at BPPR as a result of the sale of internally
generated FNMA pools during the latter part of 1996 and the first quarter of
1997.  Mortgage loans amounted to $2.6 billion as of March 31, 1997, compared
with $2.4 billion at March 31, 1996. Consumer loans increased $295 million or
12.4%, mainly at BPPR, and the lease financing portfolio rose $20 million or
3.8% as compared with March 31, 1996. Total loans at December 31, 1996 amounted
to $9.8 billion.

At March 31, 1997, money market investments amounted to $790 million
compared with $661 million as of the same date in 1996. Popular Securities had
$494 million in money market investments at the end of this quarter. Investment
securities as of March 31, 1997, totaled $5.4 billion compared with $5.0 
billion as of March 31, 1996. These figures include $4.0 billion in investment
securities available-for-sale as of March 31, 1997, and $3.3 billion as of March
31, 1996. Most of the growth was reflected at BPPR, where investment securities
increased $465 million.  At March 31, 1997, the trading portfolio amounted to
$263 million or a decrease of $32 million from a year earlier.

At March 31, 1997, total deposits reached $10.5 billion or $282 million higher
than $10.2 billion at March 31, 1996.  Most of the increase was attained at
BPPR, where total deposits increased $216 million. Also, Banco Popular N.A.
(California) had $94 million in total deposits at March 31,1997. Total deposits
at December 31, 1996 were $10.8 billion.  Total 936 deposits decreased $236
million from $874 million at December 31, 1996 to $638 million at the end of
this quarter.

Borrowings, excluding subordinated notes and capital securities, totaled $5.0
billion at March 31, 1997, from $4.0 billion at March 31, 1996. This rise was
mainly experienced at BPPR due to the decrease in 936 deposits and arbitrage
opportunities. This increase was partially offset by a decline of $208 million
in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to
repurchase mainly at Popular Securities. Subordinated notes decreased $50 
million, from $175 million outstanding a year ago, due to the maturity on 
June 15, 1996, of the subordinated notes issued by BPPR in 1989.

During the first quarter of 1997, the Corporation issued $150 million in
Capital Securities Series A at 8.327%, through BanPonce Trust I, a statutory
business trust owned by BanPonce Financial Corp.  The proceeds were upstreamed  
to Popular North America in return for junior subordinated debt under the same
terms
<PAGE>   25

                                                                              25

and conditions. The Series A Capital Securities, qualify as Tier I capital for
regulatory purposes. Such Tier I treatment provides the Corporation with a more
cost-effective means of obtaining capital for regulatory purposes.

The Corporation's stockholders' equity at March 31, 1997, amounted to $1.29
billion, compared with $1.16 billion at March 31, 1996. The increase is mainly
due to earnings retention. Also, the additional shares issued under the
Dividend Reinvestment Plan contributed $4.2 million in additional capital since
March 31, 1996. Stockholders' equity at December 31, 1996 amounted to $1.26
billion. On April 26, 1996, the Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one
common stock split effected in the form of a dividend, which doubled the
outstanding shares at the time. The new shares were issued on July 1, 1996, to
shareholders of record as of June 14, 1996, and $198 million were transferred
from retained earnings to common stock as a result of the split. All per share
data included herein have been adjusted to reflect the stock split. The
allowance for unrealized holding losses on securities available-for-sale, net
of deferred taxes, amounted to $9.9 million at March 31, 1997, compared with a
loss of $19,000 a year ago.

The market value of the Corporation's common stock at March 31, 1997 was $35.50
per share compared with $23.13 at March 31, 1996 and $33.75 at December 31,
1996. The Corporation's total market capitalization at March 31, 1997 was $2.35
billion, compared with $1.53 billion at March 31, 1996. Book value per common
share increased to $17.96 as of March 31, 1997, compared with $16.07 as of the
same date last year. The dividend payout ratio to common stockholders for the
quarter ended March 31, 1997 was 25.07%, compared with 22.96% for the same
quarter last year.

The market value of the Corporation's preferred stock at March 31, 1997, was
$26.75 per share compared with $27.25 at March 31, 1996, and $26.25 at December
31, 1996.

The Corporation's Tier I, total capital and leverage ratios at March 31, 1997,
increased to 13.35%, 15.90% and  7.71%, respectively, as compared with 11.96%,
14.68% and 6.65% at March 31, 1996.
<PAGE>   26

                                                                              26

Part II - Other Information

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

On April 25, 1997, the shareholders of BanPonce Corporation (the "Corporation")
approved the change of the Corporation's name to Popular, Inc., at their annual
stockholders' meeting held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The change in name will be effective immediately and responds to the corporate
strategy which seeks a homogenous identity for the recognition and marketing of
the subsidiaries that make up the Corporation.  The Corporation's symbol under
which the shares are traded in NASDAQ, BPOP, will remain unchanged.

The shareholders also voted in favor of increasing the authorized number of
shares of common stock, par value $6, from 90,000,000 to 180,000,000.

        On May 6, 1997, BanPonce Financial Corp, a corporation organized under
the laws of the State of Delaware, a wholly owned subsidiary of Popular
International Bank, Inc. and a wholly owned, second-tier subsidiary of the
Corporation, changed its legal name from BanPonce Financial Corp to Popular
North America, Inc.

        The change in name is in line with the Corporation's strategy to achieve
a consistent and uniform corporate image in order to facilitate recognition of
the name in all markets and to enhance the Corportion's ability to provide
financial services to the Hispanic community.

                                  ----0----

On May 8, 1997, the Corporation's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase
of up to 3 million shares of the outstanding common stock of the Corporation.

The repurchase program is being implemented to offset the issuance of shares in
the Corporation's acquisitions of Roig Commercial Bank in Puerto Rico and
National Bancorp, Inc. the parent of American Midwest Bank in Illinois.

The new autorization for repurchase of shares replaces an authorization
announced on December 15, 1994.  The Corporation did not repurchase any shares
under the prior authorization.

Repurchases may be made in the open market, through one or more brokers or
dealers, or in negotiated transactions.

The 3 million shares authorized to be repurchased constitute of 4.53% of the
66,153,776 shares of Popular, Inc. common stock currently outstanding.



                                 

<PAGE>   27
                                                                              27

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   a) Exhibit No.                 Description Exhibit                       Reference
      -----------                 -------------------                       ---------
         <S>            <C>                                                 <C>

         3(a)           Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Popular,
                        Inc., as amended (English translation). 
                        (Incorporated by reference from Registration
                        Statement No: 333-26941, exhibit 4(a))

         3(b)           Certificate of Incorporation of Popular North
                        America, Inc., as amended.  (Incorporated by
                        reference from Registration Statement No.
                        333-26941, exhibit 4(c)

         19             Quarterly Report to shareholders for the            Exhibit "A"
                         period ended March 31, 1997

         27             Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)           Exhibit "B"

   b) Two reports on Form 8-K were filed for the quarter ended March 31, 1997:
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 

        Dated:                January 9, 1997 and February 19, 1997

        Items reported:       Item 5 - Other Events
                              Item 7 - Financial Statements, Pro-Forma, Financial Information
                                           and Exhibits
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   28
                                                                              28

                                  SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be filed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                            Popular, Inc. 
                                        --------------------
                                            (Registrant)



Date: May 14, 1997                      By: /s/ Jorge A. Junquera
     -------------                          ------------------------------------
                                            Jorge A. Junquera                
                                            Senior Executive Vice President  

Date: May 14, 1997                      By: /s/ Amilcar L. Jordan
     -------------                          ------------------------------------
                                            Amilcar L. Jordan, Esq.  
                                            Senior Vice President & Comptroller
                                                         

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 19


                                  (PICTURE)


                      QUARTERLY REPORT / MARCH 31, 1997
<PAGE>   2


TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 The first quarter of 1997 ended with a shift in the interest rate environment
as the Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate 25 basis points on
March 25, 1997. Although this was the first Fed rate increase in over two
years, it was perceived as a step in providing greater assurance that the
current economic expansion would be extended by sustaining the present low
inflation environment through the rest of the year.

 Considering this economic environment, together with the business and
regulatory developments, BanPonce Corporation (the Corporation) has established
four comprehensive strategic objectives for 1997.  These strategies  include
strengthening our competitive position in Puerto Rico, expanding our franchise
in the Caribbean and the United States, diversifying our financial services to
provide more quality service and alternatives to our clients, and reinforcing
our organizational quality.

 During this quarter, besides focusing on the strategic objectives we are
pursuing, the Corporation continued reflecting an increase in shareholder value
as the net income for the first quarter of 1997 rose to $49.5 million, for an
increase of $4.4 million or 9.7% from $45.1 million in the same quarter of
1996. For the last quarter of 1996, the Corporation reported net income of
$47.7 million.

 On a per common share basis, net income rose 9.9% to $0.72 for the first
quarter of 1997, from $0.65 for the same period in 1996 and $0.69 for the last
quarter of 1996. Per share data have been adjusted to reflect the stock split
effected in the form of a dividend of one share for each share outstanding on
July 1, 1996.

 Return on assets (ROA) and return on common equity (ROE) for the quarter ended
March 31, 1997, were 1.19% and 16.32%, respectively, compared with 1.17% and
16.39% for the first quarter of 1996 and 1.13% and 15.76% for the fourth
quarter of 1996.

 The primary reason for the increase in net income for the first quarter of
1997, when compared with the same period a year earlier, was the growth of
$18.2 million in net interest income and $5.1 million in other revenues. These
increases were tempered by lower gains on sale of securities and trading gains
by $2.9 million, and rises of $2.4 million in the provision for loan losses,
$11.4 million in operating expenses and $2.2 million in income taxes.

 Net interest income rose 11.2%, reaching $180.6 million for the first three
months of 1997, compared with $162.4 million for the same period of 1996. While
average earning assets rose $1.2 billion, the net interest yield, on a taxable
equivalent basis, increased to 4.90% for the first quarter of 1997, from 4.78%
for the same period a year earlier.

 The Corporation's provision for loan losses increased to $23.7 million for the
first quarter of 1997 from $21.3 million in the same period of 1996, primarily
as a result of increases in the loan portfolio, net charge-offs and
non-performing assets. Net charge-offs for the quarter ended March 31, 1997,
amounted to $17.9 million as compared with $14.9 million for the quarter ended
March 31, 1996, and $20.3 million for the fourth quarter of 1996. The increase
reflected higher losses in consumer and commercial loans.

 Other operating revenues rose to $55.4 million for the first quarter of 1997
from $50.3 million for the same period in 1996. This increase is largely
attributed to a growth in other service fees, particularly debit card fees and
credit card fees and discounts.

 Operating expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 1997, increased
to $142.1 million or 8.7%, compared with $130.7 million reported for the same
period a year earlier. Personnel costs rose mainly due to higher
performance-based compensation, annual merit increases and increased headcount
resulting from the continuous business expansion. In addition, professional
fees, printing and supplies, business promotion, communications and equipment
expenses all rose reflecting increased spending on strategic initiatives to
diversify sources of revenue, improve marketing and expand the use of
technology for competitive advantage.

 The Corporation's total assets at March 31, 1997, amounted to $17.4 billion
for an increase of $1.6 billion or 10.1% when compared with $15.8 billion at
the same date in 1996. Most of the rise in assets was achieved by Banco Popular
de Puerto Rico (BPPR).

 Loans amounted to $9.9 billion at March 31, 1997, compared with $8.9 billion a
year earlier and $9.8 billion at December 31, 1996. Loan growth was paced by an
increase of $529 million in commercial and construction loans, from $3.5
billion at March 31, 1996, to $4.0 billion a year later, as the Corporation
continues developing relationships with small and middle market companies.

 Reflecting the overall economic conditions and management's proactive
assertion regarding credit


                                                                               1
<PAGE>   3


quality, the allowance for loan losses increased to $191 million or 1.94% of
loans at March 31, 1997, compared with $186 million or 1.90% at December 31,
1996, and $175 million or 1.97% at March 31, 1996. Non-performing assets (NPA)
amounted to $174 million at March 31, 1997, compared with $151 million at the
same date last year and $155 million at the end of 1996. The increase in NPA
was primarily reflected in the mortgage loan portfolio in which non-performing
loans amounted to $47.2 million at March 31, 1997, compared with $28.8 million
at the same date last year and $44.0 million at December 31, 1996.

 The ratio of NPA to loans increased slightly, from 1.70% at March 31, 1996, to
1.76% a year later. When adjusted to conform to standard industry practice, NPA
were $124 million or 1.25 % of loans at the end of this quarter, compared with
$111 million or 1.26% at March 31, 1996.

 At March 31, 1997, total deposits were $10.5 billion compared with $10.2
billion at the same date of 1996 and $10.8 billion at December 31, 1996. As
expected, since the repeal of Section 936 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code in
August 1996, total 936 deposits decreased from $1.0 billion at March 31, 1996
to $874 million as of December 31, 1996 and $638 million at March 31, 1997.
Borrowings increased $1.1 billion to $5.3 billion at the end of the first
quarter of 1997, from $4.2 billion a year earlier, principally at BPPR as a
result of the reduction in 936 deposits and arbitrage opportunities.

 Stockholders' equity increased to $1.29 billion at March 31, 1997, compared
with $1.16 billion a year ago and $1.26 billion as of December 31, 1996,
principally as a result of the retention of earnings. Book value per share
increased to $17.96 as of March 31, 1997, from $16.07 as of the same date last
year and $17.59 at the end of 1996.

 The Corporation's stock market value was $35.50 at the end of the quarter,
representing an appreciation of 53.5% and 5.2% from the market value of $23.13
at March 31, 1996 and $33.75 at December 31, 1996, respectively. The
Corporation had a total market capitalization value of $2.35 billion at March
31, 1997, based on 66,121,855 common shares outstanding.

 On February 5, 1997, the Corporation sold to institutional investors $150
million of capital securities. 

 BanPonce Trust I, a statutory business trust owned by BanPonce Financial Corp,
issued $150 million of Capital Securities Series A at a rate of 8.327%, fully
guaranteed by BanPonce Financial Corp and BanPonce Corporation. The proceeds
were upstreamed to BanPonce Financial as junior subordinated debt under the
same terms and conditions. Cumulative preferred securities having the
characteristics of the Series A Capital Securities, as defined by the Federal
Reserve, qualify as Tier I capital for bank holding companies. Such Tier I
capital treatment provides the Corporation with a more cost-effective means of
obtaining capital for regulatory purposes.

 At March 31, 1997, the Corporation maintained solid capital ratios, with a
Tier I ratio of 13.35%, a total capital ratio of 15.90% and a leverage ratio of
7.71%

 Please refer to the financial review section of this quarterly report for a
more detailed discussion of the Corporation's financial performance and results
of operations.


================================================================================

 In an effort to continue providing banking services at our customers'
convenience, during this first quarter BPPR launched its innovative "PC Bank"
in Puerto Rico. This new product, which is available 24 hours a day, allows
customers to obtain balances of their deposit accounts, credit cards and loans
through their personal computer from the privacy of their home or office. In
addition, clients are able to verify their most recent transactions since their
last statement of account, perform a series of payments and transfers within
the accounts and communicate with the bank through electronic mail. Also, BPPR
opened one branch and one in-store facility, increasing its opportunities to
cross-sell services, while Equity One opened two new offices for a total of 104
offices in 29 states.

================================================================================

  On March 28, 1997, the Federal regulatory agencies approved the previously
announced acquisition of Seminole National Bank in Sanford, Florida. Seminole
National Bank operates three branches in Sanford and Orlando with assets of
approximately $26 million and deposits of $22 million. The transaction is
expected to be completed by April 30, 1997.
<PAGE>   4


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Still awaiting the approval of regulatory agencies are the acquisitions of
Roig Commercial Bank, National Bancorp and CBC Bancorp. Roig Commercial Bank
operates 25 branches, mainly located in the eastern part of Puerto Rico, with
assets of approximately $900 million and deposits of $650 million. National
Bancorp is the holding company of American Midwest Bank & Trust with assets of
approximately $175 million and deposits of $146 million, operating two branches
in Chicago, Illinois.  CBC Bancorp has two banking subsidiaries, Capitol Bank &
Trust and Capitol Bank of Westmont, with assets of approximately $315 million
and deposits of $280 million.

================================================================================
Effective March 31, 1997, Mr. Carlos J. Vazquez joined BanPonce Corporation as
an Executive Vice President and member of the Senior Management Council
supervising the risk management function of the Corporation. The risk
management function includes identifying, measuring and managing interest rate,
market, insurance, credit, reputation, liquidity and other risks. Mr. Vazquez
has 15 years of experience at J.P. Morgan focusing in domestic and
international financing. This appointment is in line with the guidelines
recently issued by the Federal Reserve Bank that direct examiners to provide
separate supervisory ratings for the risk management process.

                                          /s/ Richard L. Carrion
                                          -----------------------
                                          Richard L. Carrion
                                          Chairman, President and
                                          Chief Executive Officer


                                                                               3


<PAGE>   5


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL REVIEW
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS                                       At March 31,                      Average for the quarter
(In thousands)                                        1997         1996       Change          1997         1996      Change
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          <S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                                                         
          Money market investments               $   790,187  $   661,357  $  128,830    $   689,891  $   657,034  $   32,857    
          Investment and trading securities        5,657,293    5,289,849     367,444      5,388,006    5,225,215     162,791 
          Loans                                    9,889,254    8,850,078   1,039,176      9,777,772    8,748,657   1,029,115    
          All other assets                         1,064,724    1,003,799      60,925      1,061,185      925,924     135,261    
          Total assets                            17,401,458   15,805,083   1,596,375     16,916,854   15,556,830   1,360,024    
          Non-interest bearing liabilities         2,553,432    2,211,091     342,341      2,490,229    2,190,371     299,858    
          Interest bearing liabilities            13,560,511   12,434,422   1,126,089     13,147,072   12,209,571     937,501    
          Stockholders' equity                     1,287,515    1,159,570     127,945      1,279,553    1,156,888     122,665    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
(In thousands, except                                          First Quarter
per share information)                                 1997        1996       Change                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                          
          Net interest income                    $   180,644  $   162,460  $   18,184                                          
          Provision for loan losses                   23,687       21,273       2,414                                          
          Fees and other income                       54,255       51,992       2,263                                          
          Other expenses                             161,673      148,037      13,636                                          
          Net income                                  49,539  $    45,142  $    4,397                                          
          Net income applicable to common stock  $    47,452  $    43,055  $    4,397                                          
          Earnings per common share                     0.72         0.65        0.07                                          
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED STATISTICAL                                                      First Quarter                          
INFORMATION                                                              1997         1996                                       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                     
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>                                               
PROFITABILITY RATIOS -  Return on assets                                 1.19%        1.17%                                      
                        Return on earning assets                         1.27         1.24                                       
                        Return on common equity                         16.32        16.39                                       
                        Net interest spread (taxable equivalent)         4.09         4.01                                       
                        Net interest yield (taxable equivalent)          4.90         4.78                                       
                        Effective tax rate                              28.29        27.75                                       
                        Overhead ratio                                  48.64        48.45                                       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                     
                                                                                                                                 
CAPITALIZATION RATIOS - Equity to assets                                 7.56%        7.44%                                      
                        Tangible equity to assets                        6.78         6.59                                       
                        Equity to loans                                 13.09        13.22                                       
                        Internal capital generation                     11.11        11.47                                       
                        Tier I capital to risk-adjusted assets          13.35        11.96                                       
                        Total capital to risk-adjusted assets           15.90        14.68                                       
                        Leverage ratio                                   7.71         6.65                                       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                     
COMMON STOCK DATA -     Market price                                                                                             
                              High                                $     36.75  $     23.13                                       
                              Low                                       33.06        19.38                                       
                              End                                       35.50        23.13                                       
                        Book value at period end                        17.96        16.07                                       
                        Dividends declared                               0.18         0.15                                       
                        Dividend payout ratio                           25.07%       22.96%                                      
                        Price/earnings ratio                            12.91X       10.19x                                      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                     
SELECTED DATA -         Common shares outstanding                  66,121,855   65,949,872                                       
                        Full-time equivalent employees                  7,981        7,836                                       
                        Branches (banking operations)                     231          214                                       
                        Automated teller machines                         391          345                                       
                        Stockholders                                    5,627        5,387                                       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                     
</TABLE>


Note: All common stock data has been adjusted to reflect the stock split
effected in the form of a dividend on July 1, 1996.


4
<PAGE>   6



FINANCIAL REVIEW
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 This financial review contains the analysis of the consolidated financial
position and financial performance of BanPonce Corporation and its subsidiaries
(the Corporation). The Corporation is a regional diversified bank holding
company engaged in the following businesses through its subsidiaries.

    - Commercial Banking/Savings and Loan -
      Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (BPPR),
      Banco Popular, Illinois, Banco Popular, FSB
      and Banco Popular, N.A. (California), acquired
      on September 30, 1996

    - Lease Financing -Popular Leasing and Rental,
      Inc.

    - Mortgage Banking/Consumer Finance -Popular
      Mortgage, Inc. (d/b/a Puerto Rico Home
      Mortgage), Equity One, Inc. (Equity One) and
      Popular Consumer Services, Inc. (d/b/a Best
      Finance)

    - Investment Banking-BP Capital Markets, Inc.
      (BP Capital)

 This financial review should be read together with the consolidated financial
statements, supplemental financial data and tables included in this report.

NET INCOME

 The Corporation reported net earnings of $49.5 million for the first quarter
of 1997, compared with $45.1 million for the same period in 1996, and $47.7
million during the last quarter of 1996. Earnings per common share (EPS) for
the quarter  were $0.72, based on 66,121,855 average shares outstanding,
compared with EPS of $0.65 for the first quarter of 1996, based on 65,949,872
average shares outstanding, and EPS of $0.69 for the fourth quarter of 1996,
based on 66,088,506 average shares outstanding. All per share data have been
adjusted to reflect the stock split effected in the form of a dividend of one
share for each share outstanding, effective July 1, 1996. Return on assets
(ROA) and return on common equity (ROE) for the quarter ended March 31, 1997
were 1.19% and 16.32%, respectively, compared with 1.17% and 16.39% reported
during the first quarter of 1996 and 1.13% and 15.76% for the last quarter of
1996.

 Net interest income, discussed below, was the principal contributor to the
rise of $4.4 million in net earnings, with an increase of $18.2 million,
followed by an increase in other operating income of $5.1 million, partially
offset by lower gains on sale of securities and trading transactions of $2.9
million, and rises of $11.4 million in operating expenses, $2.4 million in
provision for loan losses and $2.2 million in the income tax provision.

NET INTEREST INCOME

 Net interest income for the first quarter of 1997 reached $180.6 million
compared with $162.4 million reported for the same quarter in 1996. On a
taxable equivalent basis, net interest income increased to $193.3 million from
$174.5 million in the same quarter of 1996. This rise resulted from a $16.6
million increase due to a higher volume of earning assets and a $2.2 million
increase due to a higher net interest yield.  For analytical purposes, the
interest earned on tax- exempt assets is adjusted to a taxable equivalent basis
assuming the applicable statutory income tax rates.

 Average earning assets reached $15.9 billion for the quarter ended March 31,
1997, compared with $14.6 billion for the same quarter of 1996. The increase in
average earning assets relates primarily to a rise of $1.0 billion in average
loans, reaching  $9.8 billion as compared with $8.8 billion for the same
quarter in 1996. The rise relates mainly to increases of $538 million in the
average commercial and construction portfolio and of  $315 million in the
average consumer loan portfolio, principally at BPPR.

 The average yield on loans, on a taxable equivalent basis, rose to 10.22% from
10.04% reported during the first quarter of 1996. The loan categories that were
responsible for most of the increase were commercial and consumer loans.
Commercial loans had an average yield for the quarter of 9.09%, compared with
8.89% in the first quarter of 1996, while consumer loans had an average yield
for the quarter of 13.08%, compared with 12.79% for the first quarter of 1996.

 Average money market investments reached $690 million for the first quarter of
1997, compared with $657 million for the same period of 1996. The yield on
money market investments decreased to 5.21% from 5.31% reported in the first
quarter of 1996.

 Average investment securities reached $5.1 billion compared with $4.9 billion
reported for the same quarter in 1996.  The increase relates principally to a
higher average volume at BPPR, mainly in



                                                                               5
<PAGE>   7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and U.S.
Treasury securities, partially offset by a lower average balance of investments
required by local regulations to all recipients of 936 funds which have a yield
substantially below market rates. The average yield of the Corporation's
investment portfolio, on a taxable equivalent basis, including both
available-for-sale and held to maturity investments increased four basis points
to 6.80% during the three-month period ended March 31, 1997, from 6.76% during
the same period of 1996.

 The average balance of trading account securities for the first quarter of
1997 was $285 million compared with $330 million reported for the same quarter
last year, a decrease of $45 million. BP Capital experienced a decrease of $59
million compared with the first quarter of 1996. The taxable equivalent yield
on trading account securities increased 20 basis points to 6.32% from 6.12%
reported in the first quarter of 1996.

 As a result of the larger volume of higher-yielding  assets coupled with
improvements in yields of most loan categories, the average yield on earning
assets, on a taxable equivalent basis, reached 8.83% for the first quarter of
1997, or 19 basis points higher than 8.64% reported during the first quarter of
1996.

 On the liability side, average interest bearing liabilities of the Corporation
were $13.1 billion for the three-month period ended March 31, 1997, compared
with $12.2 billion for the same period of 1996. Average interest bearing
deposits increased $200 million, despite a decrease of $291 million in average
936 deposits. The increase was  mostly in savings accounts which rose $164
million and NOW and money market deposits which rose $50 million for the first
quarter of 1997.  Average certificates of deposits, excluding 936 deposits,
rose $278 million. Average demand deposits grew by $221 million from $2.0
billion to $2.2 billion during the first quarter of 1997.

 The average costs of interest bearing deposits for the quarters ended March
31, 1997 and 1996 were 4.21% and 4.12%, respectively. The increase of nine
basis points in the average cost was principally attributed to a rise in the
cost of certificates of deposit, from 5.23% in the first quarter of 1996 to
5.41% for the same quarter in 1997. Traditionally 936 certificates of deposit
had a cost below that of the U.S. or the Eurodollar market. During the first
quarter of 1996, these deposits had an average cost of 4.61% and comprised
24.7% of total average certificates of deposit compared with 4.71% and 17.3%
during the first quarter of 1997. That reduction in the proportion of 936
deposits was among the factors resulting in an increase in the average cost of
certificates of deposit.

 Savings accounts and NOW and money market deposits also reflected increases in
their average costs. Savings accounts increased from 3.02% during the first
quarter of 1996 to 3.06% for the same period in 1997, while the average cost of
NOW and money market deposits rose from 3.23% to 3.35% for the three-month
period ended March 31,1997.

 Average short term borrowings increased $265 million to $3.6 billion during
the first quarter of 1997 compared with $3.3 billion reported during the same
period of 1996. The increase mostly occurred at BPPR, whose average balance
increased  $445 million due to the reduction in 936 deposits and arbitrage
opportunities. This increase was partially offset by a decrease at BP Capital
of $215 million in its average balance as a result of lower 936 borrowings. The
average cost of short-term borrowings for the quarter ended March 31, 1997,
increased by 16 basis points, from 5.23% to 5.39% in 1997, due to both a
decrease in the average balance of 936 repurchase agreements  and  general
market conditions.

 Average long and medium term-debt increased $472 million, from $810 million in
the first quarter of 1996 to $1.3 billion for the same quarter of 1997. This
increase was mostly experienced at BPPR and the holding company. The average
cost of long and medium term debt for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, was
6.34% compared with 7.22% for the same quarter last year. Also, in February
1997, the Corporation issued $150 million in Capital Securities which qualify
as Tier I capital for regulatory purposes. These securities mature on February
2027.

 As a result of the increase in the average costs of interest bearing deposits
and short-term borrowings the total cost of interest bearing liabilities rose
11 basis points, from 4.63% to 4.74% for the first quarter of 1997. The cost of
funding earning assets also increased, from 3.86% for the first quarter of 1996
to 3.93% for the same quarter in 1997.

 Notwithstanding the increase in the cost of funds, the rise in the yield on
earning assets was strong


6
<PAGE>   8

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

enough to move the net interest yield, on a taxable equivalent basis, upward to
4.90% for the first quarter of 1997 from 4.78% for the same quarter in 1996 and
4.84% in the last quarter of 1996.

 Table A below contains a summary of the results of the Corporation's net
interest yield, on a taxable equivalent basis, for the first quarter of 1997
and 1996.

TABLE A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NET INTEREST INCOME (TAXABLE EQUIVALENT BASIS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)                FIRST QUARTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            1997 AVERAGE      1996 AVERAGE
                           ---------------------------------
                           BALANCE   RATE  BALANCE     RATE
                           ---------------------------------
<S>                        <C>      <C>    <C>        <C>


Earning assets             $15,856  8.83%  $14,631    8.64%
                           =======         =======

Financed by:
 Interest
 bearing funds             $13,147  4.74%  $12,210    4.63%
                                    

Non-interest
 bearing funds               2,709           2,421
                           -------         -------  
                                           
           Total           $15,856  3.93%  $14,631    3.86%
                           =======         =======

Net interest income
 per books                 $ 180.6         $ 162.4

Taxable equivalent
 adjustment                   12.7            12.1
                           -------         -------
Net interest income
 on a taxable equivalent
 basis                     $ 193.3         $ 174.5
                           =======         =======
Spread                              4.09%             4.01%

 Net interest yield                 4.90%             4.78%

</TABLE>


 In August 1996, the U.S. Congress approved legislation that repealed Section
936 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.  The bill approved repealed the
Qualified Possession Source Investment Income (QPSII) for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1995. As expected, the Corporation has experienced
a reduction in the volume of 936 funds and its further substitution with
conventional higher-cost funds. Factors such as a higher rate charged on loans
previously tied to a 936 market rate and a higher rate on investments required
by local regulations to all recipients of 936 funds has helped mitigate the
impact of the resulting higher cost of funds. Also, some 936 Corporations have
chosen not to withdraw all their funds from financial institutions and have,
instead, invested those funds at a longer term to reduce the tollgate taxes
applicable upon repatriating those funds. As a result, the cost of those funds
have remained below that of the U.S. or Eurodollar market. At March 31, 1997,
the Corporation maintained $1.9 billion in 936 funds, representing 11.7% of its
liabilities compared with $2.5 billion or 17.3% at the same date in 1996 and
$2.2 billion or 14.2% at December 31, 1996.

PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 The provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 1997, totaled $23.7
million or a $2.4 million increase from $21.3 million reported for the same
quarter of 1996. During the fourth quarter of 1996, the provision was $23.5
million.  Net charge-offs for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, reached $17.9
million or 0.73% of average loans, compared with $14.9 million or 0.68% for the
same quarter in 1996, and $20.3 million or 0.84% for the quarter ended on
December 31, 1996. Table B below presents information for the quarter ended
March 31,1997 and the previous four quarters.  

TABLE B


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Quarter                Provision for         Net          Allowance for
    Ended                   Loan Losses      Charge-offs      Loan Losses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           (In millions)
<S>                           <C>              <C>                <C>
March 31, 1997                $23.7            $17.9              $191
December 31, 1996              23.5             20.3               186
September 30, 1996             22.4             18.8               182
June 30, 1996                  21.7             18.1               178
March 31, 1996                 21.3             14.9               175
</TABLE>


 Consumer and commercial loans net charge-offs increased $2.5 million and $2.0
million, respectively. Consumer loans net charge-offs totaled $8.6 million or
1.28% of average consumer loans for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, while
commercial loans net losses amounted to $7.4 million or 0.78% of the average
commercial portfolio. For the same quarter last year, consumer and commercial
loans net charge-offs represented 1.02% and 0.66%, respectively, of their
average portfolio. Most of the rise in net credit losses in the consumer
category was experienced at BPPR and Equity One which recorded $1.3 million and
$0.8 million, respectively, over the amount recognized for the same quarter of
the previous year. In the commercial loan category, BPPR was responsible for
the rise of $2.0 million in net loans


                                                                               7
<PAGE>   9


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 TABLE C
 ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND SELECTED LOAN LOSSES STATISTICS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                         First Quarter
(Dollars in thousands)                                                               1997             1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <S>                                                                         <C>                 <C>   
    Balance at beginning of period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               $185,574            $168,393
    Provision for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 23,687              21,273
                                                                                ----------------------------
                                                                                 209,261             189,666
                                                                                ----------------------------
    Losses charged to the allowance
         Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 11,200               9,215
         Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    300                 693
         Lease financing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  6,283               3,325
         Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    529                 597
         Consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 12,001               9,513
                                                                                ----------------------------
                                                                                  30,313              23,343
                                                                                ----------------------------
    Recoveries
         Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  3,823               3,859
         Construction   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                      1                   1
         Lease financing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  5,129                 947
         Mortgage   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     36                 112
         Consumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  3,423               3,482
                                                                                ----------------------------
                                                                                  12,412               8,401   
                                                                                ----------------------------
    Net loans charged-off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 17,901              14,942  
                                                                                ----------------------------
    Balance at end of period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               $191,360            $174,724
                                                                                ============================
    Ratios:   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                       
         Allowance for losses to loans                                              1.94%               1.97%   
         Allowance to non-performing assets                                       109.99              116.00
         Allowance to non-performing loans  . . . . . . . . . . .                 116.63              124.30
         Non-performing assets to loans . . . . . . . . . . . . .                   1.76                1.70
         Non-performing assets to total assets  . . . . . . . . .                   1.00                0.95
         Net charge-offs to average loans . . . . . . . . . . . .                   0.73                0.68
         Provision to net charge-offs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                   1.32X               1.42x
         Net charge-offs earnings coverage  . . . . . . . . . . .                   5.18                5.61
                                                                             
</TABLE>
charged-off. Lease financing and construction loans net charge-offs decreased
$1.2 million and  $0.4 million, respectively, when compared with the first
quarter of 1996. The decrease in net charge-offs in the lease financing
portfolio resulted from a higher level of recoveries, as a result of the more
aggresive charge-off policy implemented in 1996 by the Corporation's leasing
subsidiaries.

 As shown in Table C, the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 1997, amounted
to $191 million, representing 1.94% of loans, compared with $175 million or
1.97% at the same date last year. At December 31, 1996, the allowance for loan
losses was $186 million or 1.90% of loans. Management considers that the
allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb potential write-offs of the
loan portfolio, based on the process established to assess its adequacy. This
process incorporates portfolio risk characteristics, results of periodic credit
reviews, prior loss experience, current and anticipated economic conditions and
loan impairment measurement.

 As required by SFAS 114, the Corporation has defined impaired loans as all
loans with interest and/or principal past due 90 days or more and other
specific loans for which, based on current information and events, it is
probable that the debtor will be unable to pay all amounts due according to the
contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loan impairment is measured based on
the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's effective
rate, on the observable market price or, on the fair value of the collateral if
the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogenous
loans are collectively evaluated for impairment based on past


8

<PAGE>   10

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

experience. All other loans are evaluated on a loan-by-loan basis. Impaired
loans for which the discounted cash flows, collateral value or market price
equals or exceeds its carrying value do not require an allowance. At March 31,
1997, the Corporation had $99 million in loans considered impaired of which $65
million had a related allowance for possible loan losses of $18 million. As of
the same date last year, loans considered impaired amounted to $80 million of
which $38 million had a related allowance for loan losses of $9 million.
Average impaired loans during the first quarter of 1997 and 1996 were $97
million and $83 million, respectively. The Corporation recognized interest
income on impaired loans of $1.0 million and $0.9 million, for the quarters
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

CREDIT QUALITY

 Non-performing assets (NPA) consist of past-due loans on which no interest
income is being accrued, renegotiated loans and other real estate. The
Corporation reports NPA on a more conservative basis than most U.S. banks. The
standard industry practice is to place non-performing commercial loans on
non-accrual status when payments of principal or interest are delinquent 90
days. However, the Corporation's policy is to place commercial loans on
non-accrual status when payments of principal or interest are delinquent 60
days. Lease financing, conventional mortgage and closed-end consumer loans are
placed on non-accrual status when 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 when 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 practice, closed-end consumer loans are charged-off when delinquent
120 days, but these consumer loans are not customarily placed on non-accrual
status prior to being charged-off.

 As shown in Table D, NPA as of March 31, 1997, amounted to $174 million or
1.76% of loans, compared with $151 million or 1.70% at March 31, 1996. NPA
were $155 million or 1.58% of loans at December 31, 1996.

 Non-performing loans totaled $164 million as of March 31, 1997 compared with
$141 million at the same date last year and $145 million as of December 31,
1996.  Most of the increase from March 31, 1996, was reflected in
non-performing mortgage and consumer loans which rose $18.4 million and $5.0
million, respectively. Most of the increase in non- performing mortgage loans
was experienced at Equity One, and it was related to the rise in personal
bankruptcies in the mainland and the growth in its  mortgage loan portfolio.
Non-performing commercial loans increased $1.3 million over the amount as of
March 31, 1996, while non-performing lease financings 

TABLE D
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------
                                     NPA    Allowance
                                     as a %  as a %
 Date                    NPA       of Loans  of NPA  
- -----------------------------------------------------
                (Dollars in millions) 
<S>                      <C>         <C>     <C>       
                                                       
March 31, 1997           174         1.76%   110.0%    
December 31, 1996        155         1.58    119.9     
September 30, 1996       153         1.60    118.9     
June 30, 1996            152         1.64    117.0     
March 31, 1996           151         1.70    116.0     

</TABLE>

decreased $1.1 million and other real estate showed a decline of $0.7 million.

 Assuming standard industry practice of placing commercial loans on non-accrual
status when payments of principal or interest 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, 1997, amounted to $124 million or 1.25% of
loans, and the allowance for loan losses would be 154.3% of non-performing
assets. At March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1996, adjusted non-performing assets
were $111 million and $117 million, respectively, or 1.26% and 1.19% of loans.

 Accruing loans that are contractually past-due 90 days or more as to principal
or interest as of March 31, 1997, amounted to $11.4 million compared with
$11.5 million at March 31, 1996, and $12.3 million at December 31, 1996.

OTHER OPERATING INCOME

 Other operating income, excluding securities and trading transactions,
amounted to $55.4 million for the



                                                                               9
<PAGE>   11

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

first quarter of 1997 compared with $50.3 million for the same quarter in 1996,
an increase of $5.1 million or 10.2%.  This rise in other income was
principally driven by an increase of $4.8 million in other service fees and
$0.7 million in service charges on deposit accounts. Partially offsetting these
increases was a decrease of $0.4 million in other operating income. Total other
operating income for the last quarter of 1996, amounted to $54.5 million.

 Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $21.8 million for the quarter
ended March 31, 1997, compared with $21.1 million for the same quarter of 1996.
This increase resulted from the growth in the activity of commercial accounts,
particularly at BPPR. In addition, the operations of Banco Popular N.A.
(California), acquired on September 30, 1996, contributed approximately $0.3
million in these service charges for the quarter.

 Other service fees for the first three months of 1997, amounted to $22.2
million compared with $17.4 million for the same period of 1996. The increase
in other service fees was principally attained at BPPR where debit card fees
rose $1.5 million, reflecting the growing volume of point-of-sale (POS)
terminals and transactions. The volume of transactions at POS terminals
increased from a monthly average of approximately 1,536,000 in March 1996 to
2,524,000 a year later. Also at BPPR, credit card fees and discounts rose $1.2
million, as credit card net sales rose 29.0% and the number of credit card
active accounts grew 15.7%. In addition, fees related to the sale and
administration of investment products and credit life insurance fees rose $0.6
million and $0.5 million, respectively. The growth in credit life insurance
fees resulted mainly from a higher volume of  personal loans originated during
this quarter which exceeded the originations for  the first quarter of 1996 by
3,234 loans.

 Other operating income decreased $0.4 million, from $11.9 million for the
first quarter of 1996 to $11.5 million for the same period in 1997. This
decrease resulted mainly from the reduction in gains realized from the sale of
mortgage loans by Equity One and a decrease in investment banking and
underwriting fees at BP Capital.  Partially offsetting these reductions was a
realized gain of $2.5 million on the securitization and sale of mortgage loans
recorded at BPPR.

 The Corporation recognized a net loss of $1.7 million in the sale of
securities during the first quarter of 1997, principally reflected at BPPR as a
result of the sale of U.S. Treasury securities. These securities were sold as
part of an asset/liability strategy,which included the sale of securitized
mortgage loans, in order to maintain the duration of the assets of the
Corporation and reinvest the proceeds in higher-yielding investments. Also,
during the first three months of 1997, the Corporation realized a net profit on
trading transactions amounting to $0.4 million. The Corporation had a combined
net gain of $1.7 million resulting from securities and trading activities for
the first three months of 1996.

OPERATING EXPENSES

 Operating expenses for the first quarter of 1997 were $142.1 million compared
with $130.7 million for the same quarter in 1996, an increase of $11.4 million
principally reflecting higher personnel costs, professional fees, printing and
supplies expenses, business promotion and communication expenses. Operating
expenses for the last quarter of 1996 amounted to $143.9 million.

 The largest category of operating expenses, personnel costs, totaled $71.5
million for the first three months of 1997, compared with $67.8 million for the
same period in 1996, an increase of $3.7 million or 5.4%. Salaries accounted
for the largest portion of the increase in personnel costs, rising $3.6 million
or 8.0% to $48.3 million, compared with $44.7 million in 1996. This increase
was due largely to annual merit increases and greater use of incentive pay to
compensate productivity and sales efforts. Also, full-time equivalent employees
(FTE) amounted to 7,981 at the end of this quarter, up 145 from 7,836 FTEs at
the same date in 1996. Profit sharing expense rose $0.4 million primarily due
to the improvement in BPPR's profitability ratios. Partially offsetting these
increases was a reduction of $0.3 million in pension and other benefits, as a
result of an expense of $1.2 million for staff uniforms recorded at BPPR during
the first quarter of 1996 in order to emphasize its corporate image at all
branches. The operations of Banco Popular N.A. (California) accounted for $0.7
million in personnel costs for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

 Operating expenses, excluding personnel costs, increased $7.7 million,
reaching $70.6 million for the first quarter of 1997, compared with $62.9
million for the same period in 1996. The increase in these operating expenses
was mostly reflected in professional fees


10
<PAGE>   12

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

which grew $2.5 million, reflecting expenditures for purchased software
associated with systems enhancements and consulting services related to the
Corporation's strategic initiatives. Business promotion, printing and supplies
and communications grew a combined $2.6 million due to the investment needed to
support the continuing growth of the Corporation's business activity and the
development of new products and services.  Also, equipment expenses increased
$0.6 million, mostly as a result of the expansion of the electronic payment
system and the network of POS terminals. By the end of the first quarter of
1997, the Corporation had increased its automated teller machine (ATM) network
by 46 machines and installed 4,176 additional POS terminals, when compared with
the same date a year earlier, further expanding its electronic delivery
capabilities. Moreover, other operating expenses rose $2.1million mainly at
BPPR, reflecting higher FDIC assessment and interchange expenses related to the
growing volume of electronic transactions. The operations of Banco Popular N.A.
(California) accounted for $0.7 million in operating expenses, excluding
personnel costs, for the quarter ended March 31,  1997.

 Income tax expense rose $2.2 million from $17.3 million in the first quarter
of 1996 to $19.5 million in the same quarter this year, primarily as a result
of higher  pre-tax earnings. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of
1997 was 28.3%, compared with 27.7% for the same period in 1996.

BALANCE SHEET COMMENTS

 Total assets at March 31, 1997, were $17.4 billion compared with $15.8 billion
at the same date last year, an increase of $1.6 billion or 10.1%. At December
31, 1996, total assets were $16.8 billion. For the first quarter of 1997,
average assets amounted to $16.9 billion compared with $15.6 billion for the
quarter ended March 31, 1996, an increase of 8.7%.  Average assets for the year
ended December 31, 1996 were $16.3 billion.

 Earning assets at March 31, 1997, amounted to $16.3 billion compared with
$14.8 billion at March 31, 1996 and $15.5 billion at December 31, 1996. Loans
amounted to $9.9 billion at March 31, 1997, compared with $8.9 billion a year
ago.  During the first quarter of 1997 the Corporation enjoyed growth in most
loans categories. Commercial and construction loans increased from $3.5 billion
at March 31, 1996 to $4.0 billion at March 31, 1997, a rise of $529 million or
15.0%.  BPPR accounted for $403 million of the increase, while Banco Popular
N.A. (California) had $62 million in commercial loans at March 31,1997.
Mortgage loans rose $195 million or 8.0% as compared with March 31, 1996. Most
of the increase was at Equity One, which rose $212 million, partially offset by
a decrease of $70 million at BPPR as a result of the sale of internally
generated FNMA pools during the latter part of 1996 and the first quarter of
1997.  Mortgage loans amounted to $2.6 billion as of March 31, 1997, compared
with $2.4 billion at March 31, 1996. Consumer loans increased $295 million or
12.4%, mainly at BPPR, and the lease financing portfolio rose $20 million or
3.8% as compared with March 31, 1996. Total loans at December 31, 1996 amounted
to $9.8 billion.

 At March 31, 1997, money market investments amounted to $790 million compared
with $661 million as of the same date in 1996. BP Capital had $494 million in
money market investments at the end of this quarter. Investment securities as
of March 31, 1997, totaled $5.4 billion compared with $5.0 billion as of March
31, 1996. These figures include $4.0 billion in investment securities
available-for-sale as of March 31, 1997, and $3.3 billion as of March 31, 1996.
Most of the growth was reflected at BPPR, where investment securities increased
$465 million.  At March 31, 1997, the trading portfolio amounted to $263
million or a decrease of $32 million from a year earlier.

 At March 31, 1997, total deposits reached $10.5 billion or $282 million higher
than $10.2 billion at March 31, 1996.  Most of the increase was attained at
BPPR, where total deposits increased $216 million. Also, Banco Popular N.A.
(California) had $94 million in total deposits at March 31,1997. Total deposits
at December 31, 1996 were $10.8 billion.  Total 936 deposits decreased $236
million from $874 million at December 31, 1996 to $638 million at the end of
this quarter.

 Borrowings, excluding subordinated notes and capital securities, totaled $5.0
billion at March 31, 1997, from $4.0 billion at March 31, 1996. This rise was
mainly experienced at BPPR due to the decrease in 936 deposits and arbitrage
opportunities. This increase was partially offset by a decline of $208 million
in the federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to
repurchase mainly at BP Capital. Subordinated notes decreased $50 million, from
$175 million outstanding a year ago, due to the maturity on June 15, 1996, of
the subordinated notes


                                                                              11
<PAGE>   13

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issued by BPPR in 1989.

 During the first quarter of 1997, the Corporation issued $150 million in
Capital Securities Series A at 8.327%, through BanPonce Trust I, a statutory
business trust owned by BanPonce Financial Corp.  The proceeds were upstreamed
to BanPonce Financial as junior subordinated debt under the same terms and
conditions. The Series A Capital Securities, qualify as Tier I capital for
regulatory purposes. Such Tier I treatment provides the Corporation with a more
cost-effective means of obtaining capital for regulatory purposes.

 The Corporation's stockholders' equity at March 31, 1997, amounted to $1.29
billion, compared with $1.16 billion at March 31, 1996. The increase is mainly
due to earnings retention. Also, the additional shares issued under the
Dividend Reinvestment Plan contributed $4.2 million in additional capital since
March 31, 1996. Stockholders' equity at December 31, 1996 amounted to $1.26
billion. On April 26, 1996, the Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one
common stock split effected in the form of a dividend, which doubled the
outstanding shares at the time. The new shares were issued on July 1, 1996, to
shareholders of record as of June 14, 1996, and $198 million were transferred
from retained earnings to common stock as a result of the split. All per share
data included herein have been adjusted to reflect the stock split. The
allowance for unrealized holding losses on securities available-for-sale, net
of deferred taxes, amounted to $9.9 million at March 31, 1997, compared with a
loss of $19,000 a year ago.

 The market value of the Corporation's common stock at March 31, 1997 was
$35.50 per share compared with $23.13 at March 31, 1996 and $33.75 at December
31, 1996. The Corporation's total market capitalization at March 31, 1997 was
$2.35 billion, compared with $1.53 billion at March 31, 1996. Book value per
common share increased to $17.96 as of March 31, 1997, compared with $16.07 as
of the same date last year. The dividend payout ratio to common stockholders
for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 was 25.07%, compared with 22.96% for the
same quarter last year.

 The market value of the Corporation's preferred stock at March 31, 1997, was
$26.75 per share compared with $27.25 at March 31, 1996, and $26.25 at December
31, 1996.

 The Corporation's Tier I, total capital and leverage ratios at March 31, 1997,
increased to 13.35%, 15.90% and  7.71%, respectively, as compared with 11.96%,
14.68% and 6.65% at March 31, 1996.


12
<PAGE>   14



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            March 31,
(In thousands)                                                                              
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      1997            1996
        <S>                                                                     <C>                <C>

        ASSETS
         Cash and due from banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $   447,113        $  405,890
                                                                                -----------------------------
         Money market investments:
          Federal funds sold and securities and mortgages
            purchased under agreements to resell  . . . . . . . . . . . .           728,381           632,527
          Time deposits with other banks    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            59,831            26,993
          Bankers acceptances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1,975             1,837
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                    790,187           661,357
                                                                                -----------------------------
         Investment securities available-for-sale,
          at market value   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         3,963,115         3,337,217
         Investment securities held-to-maturity
          at cost   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,430,700         1,657,059
         Trading account securities, at market value  . . . . . . . . . .           263,478           295,573
         Loans held-for-sale  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           249,317            87,486
         Loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         9,972,694         9,088,593
          Less--Unearned income   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           332,757           326,001
                Allowance for loan losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           191,360           174,724
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                  9,448,577         8,587,868
                                                                                -----------------------------
         Premises and equipment   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           372,957           335,279
         Other real estate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             6,615             7,353
         Customers' liabilities on acceptances  . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1,870             1,867
         Accrued income receivable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           108,320           134,247
         Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           191,912           155,707
         Intangible assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           127,297           138,180
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                $17,401,458       $15,805,083
                                                                                =============================
        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
         Liabilities:
          Deposits:
            Non-interest bearing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $ 2,213,435       $ 1,931,168
            Interest bearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         8,251,718         8,251,914
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                 10,465,153        10,183,082

          Federal funds purchased and securities sold
            under agreements to repurchase    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,344,411         2,552,831
          Other short-term borrowings   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,535,911           740,088
          Notes payable   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,153,472           684,589
          Senior debentures   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                              30,000
          Acceptances outstanding   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1,870             1,867
          Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           338,126           278,056
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                 15,838,943        14,470,513
                                                                                -----------------------------
          Subordinated notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           125,000           175,000
                                                                                -----------------------------
          Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in BanPonce
            Financial's subordinated debentures . .  . . . . . . . . . . .          150,000
                                                                                -----------------------------
         Stockholders' equity:
          Preferred stock   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           100,000           100,000
          Common stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           396,731           197,850
          Surplus   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           497,462           428,098
          Retained earnings   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           303,268           383,641
          Unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale, net of
            deferred taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (9,946)              (19)
          Capital reserves  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                              50,000
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                  1,287,515         1,159,570
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                $17,401,458       $15,805,083
                                                                                =============================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements


                                                                              13
<PAGE>   15
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Quarter ended        
                                                                               March 31,         
                                                                                                 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)                      1997          1996     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>         
INTEREST INCOME:                                                                                 
 Loans ..........................................................     $ 246,353      $217,247    
 Money market investments .......................................         8,867         8,673    
 Investment securities ..........................................        75,111        71,945    
 Trading account securities .....................................         3,934         5,062    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                        334,265       302,927    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                                                 
INTEREST EXPENSE:                                                                                
 Deposits .......................................................        86,195        82,996    
 Short-term borrowings ..........................................        47,362        42,930    
 Long-term debt .................................................        20,064        14,541    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                        153,621       140,467    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                                                 
 Net interest income ............................................       180,644       162,460    
 Provision for loan losses ......................................        23,687        21,273    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
 Net interest income after provision for loan losses.............       156,957       141,187     
 Service charges on deposit accounts ............................        21,819        21,076     
 Other service fees .............................................        22,169        17,380     
 (Loss) gain on sale of securities ..............................        (1,660)          729     
 Trading account profit .........................................           433           938     
 Other operating income .........................................        11,494        11,869     
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                        211,212       193,179    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES:                                                                              
Personnel costs:                                                                                 
 Salaries .......................................................        48,345        44,752    
 Profit sharing .................................................         6,440         6,070    
 Pension and other benefits .....................................        16,700        16,981    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                         71,485        67,803    
 Net occupancy expense ..........................................         9,002         9,318    
 Equipment expenses .............................................        12,340        11,774    
 Other taxes ....................................................         6,445         5,963    
 Professional fees ..............................................        12,414         9,916    
 Communications .................................................         7,581         6,316    
 Business promotion .............................................         5,957         5,392    
 Printing and supplies ..........................................         3,644         2,923    
 Other operating expenses .......................................         8,819         6,740    
 Amortization of intangibles ....................................         4,438         4,554    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                        142,125       130,699    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                                                 
 Income before taxes ............................................        69,087        62,480    
 Income taxes ...................................................        19,548        17,338    
                                                                      -----------------------    
                                                                                                 
 NET INCOME .....................................................     $  49,539      $ 45,142    
                                                                      =======================    
                                                                                                 
 NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK ..........................     $  47,452      $ 43,055    
                                                                      =======================    
                                                                                                 
 EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ......................................     $    0.72      $   0.65    
                                                                      =======================    
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



<PAGE>   16

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         For the quarter ended
                                                                                                March 31,
(In thousands)                                                                           1997             1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                <C>               <C>
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $     49,539      $    45,142
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by
     operating activities:                                           
     Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment   . . .  . .             12,639           12,355
     Provision for loan losses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             23,687           21,273
     Amortization of intangibles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              4,438            4,554
     Loss (gain) on sale of investment securities available-for-sale  . .              1,660             (729)
     Loss (gain) on disposition of premises and equipment  . . . . .  . .                160              (10)
     Gain on sale of loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             (4,388)          (2,792)
     Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts                                   
      on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                596              755
     Decrease in loans held-for-sale  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              5,812           25,319
     Amortization of deferred loan fees and costs   . . . . . . . . . . .             (1,101)             (45)
     Net decrease in trading securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             28,671           35,101
     Net increase in interest receivable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (12,833)         (20,708)
     Net decrease (increase) in other assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            208,050          (13,032)
     Net decrease in interest payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             (8,323)          (1,418)
     Net increase in current and deferred taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . .             10,317            6,208
     Net increase postretirement benefit obligation.. . . . . . . . . . .              1,473            2,253
     Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . .              6,469           (5,791)
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Total adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            277,327           63,293
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            326,866          108,435
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                               
    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                      
     Net decrease in money market investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             10,090          137,362
     Purchases of investment securities held-to-maturity. . . . . . . . .         (7,028,117)      (1,366,623)
     Maturities of investment securities held-to-maturity . . . . . . . .          6,851,253        1,354,385
     Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale  . . . . . . .         (2,056,260)      (1,717,071)
     Maturities of investment securities available-for-sale . . . . . . .             78,604          474,048
     Sales of investment securities available-for-sale. . . . . . . . . .          1,356,192        1,101,095
     Net disbursements on loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (249,045)        (266,068)
     Proceeds from sale of loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            121,723           92,858
     Acquisition of loan portfolios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             (4,082)         (35,198)
     Acquisition of premises and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (35,520)         (24,452)
     Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . .              6,461            2,031
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Net cash used in investigating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (948,701)        (247,633)
                                                                                -----------------------------
    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                      
     Net (decrease) increase in deposits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (298,121)         306,419
     Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and securities                         
      sold under agreements to repurchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            468,945         (448,047)
     Net increase in other short-term borrowings  . . . . . . . . . . . .            131,906          285,381
     Proceeds from issuance of notes payable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            166,759          116,117
     Payments of notes payable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                            (161,957)
     Proceeds from issuance of Series A Capital Securities  . . . . . . .            150,000   
     Payments of senior debentures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (30,000)  
     Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (13,989)         (11,972)
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              1,080              974
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Net cash provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            576,580           86,915
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Net decrease in cash and due from banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (45,255)         (52,283)
    Cash and cash due from banks at beginning of period . . . . . . . . .            492,368          458,173
                                                                                -----------------------------
    Cash and due from banks at end of period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $    447,113      $   405,890
                                                                                =============================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                                                             15

<PAGE>   17


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, BP Capital
Markets, Inc.; Popular International Bank, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary
BanPonce Financial Corp, including Banco Popular, FSB, Pioneer Bancorp, Inc.,
CombanCorp (second tier subsidiaries) and Equity One, Inc.; Banco Popular de
Puerto Rico and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Popular Leasing and Rental,
Inc., Popular Consumer Services, Inc. and Popular Mortgage, Inc.; and
Metropolitana de Prestamos, Inc., as of March 31, 1997 and 1996, and their
related statements of income and cash flows for the three-month periods then
ended. 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, of a normal recurring nature, for a fair
presentation of such results.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the
prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the 1997
presentation.

NOTE 2 - ACCOUNTING CHANGES

In  February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 129, "Disclosure of
Information about Capital Structure." This statement establishes standards for
disclosing information about an entity's capital structure. This statement is
effective for financial statements for periods ending after December 15, 1997.
However, it contains no change in disclosure requirements for entities that
were previously subject to the requirements of Opinion 10 and 15 and SFAS 47.

In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 128, "Earnings per Share." This
statement establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share
(EPS) and applies to entities with publicly held common stock or potential
common stock.  It simplifies the standards for computing earnings per share
previously found in APB Opinion 15, "Earnings per Share," and makes them
comparable to international EPS standards. SFAS 128 replaces the presentation
of primary earnings per share with a presentation of basic EPS. It also
requires dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income
statement for all entities with complex capital structures and requires a
reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to
the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation. This statement is
effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15,
1997, including interim periods and requires restatement of all prior period
EPS data presented.

In June 1996, the FASB issued SFAS 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing
of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," which supersedes SFAS
122 "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights". This statement provides
accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial
assets and extinguishment of liabilities.  Those standards are based on a
consistent application of a financial component approach that focuses on the
legal and physical control over the component. Under this approach, following a
transfer of financial assets, an entity recognizes the financial and servicing
assets it controls and the liabilities it has incurred, and derecognizes
financial assets for which control has been surrendered and financial
liabilities that have been extinguished. The provisions of this statement are
effective for transactions occurring after December 31, 1996. However, the FASB
issued SFAS 127, "Deferral of the Effective Date of Certain Provisions of  FASB
Statement 125", that delays until January 1, 1998, the effective date of those
provisions of the statement that deal with securities lending, repurchase
agreements and similar transactions. The adoption of this pronouncement did not
have a financial impact on the consolidated financial statement of the
Corporation in the quarter ended March 31, 1997. In addition, this statement
requires that mortgage banking enterprises recognize as separate assets the
rights to service mortgage loans for others, whether those servicing rights are
originated or purchased. Also, it requires mortgage banking enterprises to
assess capitalized mortgage servicing rights for impairment based on the fair
value of those rights. The total cost of mortgage loans to be sold with
servicing rights retained is allocated to the mortgage servicing rights and the
loans (without the mortgage servicing rights) based on their relative fair
values. These mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over
the periods of estimated net servicing income.

<PAGE>   18



To estimate the fair value of mortgage servicing rights the Corporation
considers prices for similar assets and the present value of expected future
cash flows associated with the servicing rights calculated using assumptions
that market participants would use in estimating future servicing income and
expense. For purposes of evaluating and measuring impairment of capitalized
mortgage servicing rights, the Corporation stratifies such rights based on
predominant risk characteristics of underlying loans, such as loan type, rate
and term. The amount of impairment recognized if any, is the amount by which
the capitalized mortgage servicing rights per stratum exceeds its estimated
fair value. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance. As of March
31, 1997, the carrying value, estimated fair value and valuation allowance of
capitalized mortgage servicing rights were $26,367, $35,221 and $31,
respectively (1996-$23,898, $26,469 and $212).

Effective January 1, 1996, the Corporation adopted SFAS 123 "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation." This statement establishes a fair value-based method
of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. It encourages
entities to adopt this method in lieu of the provisions of APB Opinion 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," for all arrangements under which
employees receive shares of stock or other equity instruments of the employer
or the employer incurs liabilities to employees in amounts based on the price
of its stock. Banco Popular provides a stock-based compensation plan for its
senior management. It is a three-year incentive plan under which shares of
stock of the Corporation are granted if long-term corporate performance and
objectives are met. For the quarters ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, the
Corporation recognized an expense of $223 and $103, respectively, related to
this plan.

Effective January 1, 1996, the Corporation adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." This statement requires
that long-lived assets and certain indentifiable intangibles to be held and
used by an entity as well as assets held for disposition be reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For the first quarters of
1997 and 1996, no impairment recognition was necessary based on this
pronouncement.

NOTE 3 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The average maturities as of March 31, 1997, and market value for the following
investment securities are:

Investments securities available-for-sale:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       March 31,                            
                                                             1997                        1996             
                                                   Amortized      Market       Amortized        Market    
                                                     Cost          Value          Cost          Value     
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>       
U.S. Treasury (average
   maturity of 1 year and 3 months)              $2,669,908     $2,663,911     $2,454,152     $2,453,291
Obligations of other U.S. Government
   agencies and corporations
   (average maturity of 6 years and 7 months)       312,604        308,669        440,015        439,624
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and
   political subdivisions (average
   maturity of 6 years and 9 months)                 39,305         39,118         26,468         26,564
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   (average maturity of 2 years)                    486,786        485,339        109,047        108,342
Mortgage-backed securities (average
   maturity of 18 years and 4 months)               426,975        425,964        260,168        256,910
Equity securities (without contractual
   maturity)                                         20,238         20,753         27,703         34,436
Others (average maturity of 12 years
   and 9 months)                                     19,362         19,361         18,050         18,050
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------
                                                 $3,975,178     $3,963,115     $3,335,603     $3,337,217
                                                 =======================================================
</TABLE>



                                                                             17
<PAGE>   19




Investments securities held-to-maturity:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       March 31,                            
                                                                1997                             1996             
                                                     Amortized         Market         Amortized        Market    
                                                        Cost           Value          Cost             Value     
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>       
U.S. Treasury (average maturity
   of  7 months)                                      $  370,721     $  370,323     $  924,137     $  927,247
Obligations of other U.S. Government
   agencies and corporations (average
   maturity of 1 month)                                  739,617        739,064        132,271        130,950
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and
   political subdivisions (average
   maturity of  6 years and 11 months)                    59,725         60,761        218,222        220,124
Collateralized mortgage obligations (average
   maturity of 1 year and 6 months)                      130,117        129,583        262,655        260,900
Mortgage-backed securities (average maturity
   of 4 years and 2 months)                               53,159         52,646         59,706         60,395
Equity securities (without contractual
   maturity)                                              64,620         64,620         47,674         47,674
Others (average maturity of  3 years and
     9 months)                                            12,741         12,706         12,394         12,430
                                                      -------------------------------------------------------
                                                      $1,430,700     $1,429,703     $1,657,059     $1,659,720
                                                      =======================================================
</TABLE>


NOTE 4 - PLEDGED ASSETS

Securities and insured mortgage loans of the Corporation of $3,709,321 (1996 -
$2,774,689) 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, 1997, amounted to $17,923 and
$113,143. there are also outstanding other 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.



                                                                             18
<PAGE>   20



NOTE 6 - SUBORDINATED NOTES

Subordinated notes consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      March 31,
                                                                                  1997          1996
                                                                               ----------------------
<S>                                                                            <C>           <C>     
 Subordinated notes issued by the Corporation on
   December 12, 1995, maturing on December 15,
   2005, with interest payable semi-annually at 6.75%                          $125,000      $125,000
                                                                               ----------------------
 Subordinated notes issued by Banco Popular on 
   March 29,1989, which matured on June 15, 1996,
   with interest payable quarterly and consisting of:

 8.875% Fixed Rate Notes series A                                                            $ 15,000

 8.6875% Fixed Rate Notes series B                                                             15,000

 Floating Rate Notes series A with interest
   payable at 88% of LIBID rate                                                                19,000

 Floating Rate Notes series B with interest
   payable at 86% of LIBID rate                                                                 1,000
                                                                               ----------------------
                                                                                               50,000
                                                                               ----------------------
                                                                               $125,000      $175,000
                                                                               ======================
</TABLE>

NOTE 7 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Authorized common stock is 90,000,000 shares with a par value of $6 per share
of which 66,121,855 are issued and outstanding at March 31, 1997. On April
26,1996, the Corporation's Board of Directors authorized a stock split of one
share for each share outstanding effected in the form of a dividend, effective
July 1, 1996. As a result of the split, 33,000,590 shares were issued, and
$198,004 were transferred from retained earnings to common stock. All
references in the financial statements to the numbers of common shares and per
share amounts have been restated to reflect the stock split. Authorized
preferred stock is 10,000,000 shares without par value of which 4,000,000,
non-cumulative with a dividend rate of 8.35% and a liquidation preference value
of $25 per share, are issued and outstanding at March 31, 1997.

NOTE 8 - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings per common share (EPS) are calculated based on net income applicable
to common stockholders which amounted to $47,452 and $43,055 for the quarters
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 respectively, after deducting the dividends on
preferred stock. EPS are based on 66,121,855 and 65,949,872 average shares
outstanding for the first quarter of 1997 and 1996, respectively, after
restating for the stock split.

NOTE 9 - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

During the quarter ended March 31, 1997 the corporation paid interest and
income taxes amounting to $160,892 and $4,732, respectively (1996 - $148,341
and $5,554). In addition, the loans receivable transferred to other real estate
and other property for the quarter ended march 31, 1997, amounted to $1,524 and
$1,430, respectively (1996 - $468 and $1,142). The corporation's stockholders'
equity at march 31, 1997 includes $9,946, in unrealized holding losses on
securities available-for-sale, net of deferred taxes, as compared with $19 in
unrealized losses as of march 31, 1996.


                                                                             19
<PAGE>   21
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>  
BOARD OF DIRECTORS                                                         OFFICES (CONT.)                                     
Richard L. Carrion, Chairman                                               VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE                               
Alfonso F. Ballester, Vice Chairman                                           80 Kronprindsens Gade                            
Antonio Luis Ferre, Vice Chairman                                             Kronprindsens Quarter                            
Juan A. Albors Hernandez *                                                    Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas                     
Salustiano Alvarez Mendez *                                                   U.S. Virgin Islands 00802                        
Jose A. Bechara Bravo *                                                       Telephone: (809) 774-2300                        
Juan J. Bermudez                                                                                                               
Esteban D. Bird *                                                          SUBSIDIARIES                                        
Francisco J. Carreras                                                      METROPOLITANA DE PRESTAMOS, INC.                    
David H. Chafey, Jr.                                                          State Road #2 Km. 6.8                            
Luis E. Dubon, Jr.                                                            Villa Caparra                                    
Hector R. Gonzalez                                                            Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00966                      
Jorge A. Junquera Diez                                                        Telephone: (787) 792-9292                        
Franklin A. Mathias*                                                                                                           
Manuel Morales, Jr.                                                        POPULAR LEASING AND RENTAL, INC.                    
Alberto M. Paracchini                                                         M-1046 Federico Costa St.                        
Francisco Perez, Jr. **                                                       Tres Monjitas Industrial Development             
Francisco M. Rexach, Jr.                                                      San Juan, Puerto Rico 00903                      
Jose E. Rossi **                                                              Telephone: (787) 751-4848                        
Felix J. Serralles Nevares                                                                                                     
Emilio Jose Venegas **                                                    POPULAR CONSUMER SERVICES, INC.                      
Julio E. Vizcarrondo, Jr.                                                     10 Salud Street                                  
                                                                              El Senorial Condominium, Suite 613         
Samuel T. Cespedes, Secretary                                                 Ponce, Puerto Rico 00731                        
                                                                              Telephone: (787) 844-2860                        
 * Director of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico only                                                                               
** Director of BanPonce Corporation only                                  EQUITY ONE, INC.                                     
                                                                              523 Fellowship Road, Suite 220                   
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS                                                            Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 08054                     
Richard L. Carrion, Chairman of the Board,                                    Telephone: (609) 273-1119                        
   President and Chief Executive Officer                                                                                      
David H. Chafey, Jr., Senior Executive Vice President                     PIONEER BANCORP, INC.                                
Jorge A. Junquera Diez, Senior Executive Vice President                       4000 West North Avenue                           
Maria Isabel Burckhart, Executive Vice President                              Chicago, Illinois 60639                          
Roberto R. Herencia, Executive Vice President                                 Telephone: (312) 772-8600                        
Larry Kesler, Executive Vice President                                                                                        
Humberto Martin, Executive Vice President                                 BANCO POPULAR, FSB                                   
Emilio E. Pinero, Executive Vice President                                    500 Bloomfield Avenue                            
Carlos Rom, Jr., Executive Vice President                                     Newark, New Jersey 07107                         
Carlos J. Vazquez, Executive Vice President                                   Telephone: (201) 484-6525                        
                                                                                                                               
OFFICES                                                                   POPULAR MORTGAGE, INC.                              
CENTRAL OFFICE                                                                268 Ponce de Leon Avenue         
   Banco Popular Center, Hato Rey                                             San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918                      
   209 Munoz Rivera Avenue                                                    Telephone: (787) 753-0245                        
   San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918                                                                                                 
   Telephone: (787) 765-9800                                              BP Capital Markets, Inc.                              
                                                                              1020 Popular Center                              
NEW YORK OFFICE                                                               Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918                      
   7 West 51st St.                                                            Telephone: (787) 766-4200                        
   New York, N.Y. 10019                                                                                                         
   Telephone: (212) 315-2800                                              COMBANCORP                                           
                                                                              6001 E. Washington Blvd.                          
                                                                              City of Commerce, California 90040                
                                                                              Telephone: (213) 724-8800                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                          ATH COSTA RICA                                        
                                                                              Cond. en Oficinas Ofiplaza del Este              
                                                                              Edif. D- Piso 1, 100 metros Oeste de la           
                                                                              Rotonda de la Bandera                             
                                                                              San Pedro, Costa Rica                             
                                                                              Telephone: (011) 506-280-9796                     
</TABLE>
 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
 20                                                
<PAGE>   22





                               [BANPONCE LOGO]

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BANPONCE CORPORATION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                         447,113
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          59,831
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               728,381
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               263,478
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,963,115
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,430,700
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,429,703
<LOANS>                                      9,889,254
<ALLOWANCE>                                    191,360
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              17,401,458
<DEPOSITS>                                  10,465,153
<SHORT-TERM>                                 3,880,322
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            338,127
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,428,472
                                0
                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       396,731
<OTHER-SE>                                     790,784
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              17,401,458
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                246,353
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               75,111
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                12,801
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               334,265
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              86,195
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             153,621
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          180,644
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   23,687
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              (1,660)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                142,125
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 69,087
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      49,539
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,539
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.90
<LOANS-NON>                                    164,069
<LOANS-PAST>                                    11,395
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 3,295
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                131,408
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               185,574
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   30,313
<RECOVERIES>                                    12,412
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              191,360
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           190,408
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                952
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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