<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POPULAR, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1,000
<CASH> 573,396
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 10,638
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 868,513
<TRADING-ASSETS> 163,645
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 7,979,951
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 376,540
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 369,794
<LOANS> 16,237,687
<ALLOWANCE> 295,177
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 27,230,263
<DEPOSITS> 14,557,878
<SHORT-TERM> 8,680,773
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 444,545
<LONG-TERM> 1,709,429
0
100,000
<COMMON> 829,729
<OTHER-SE> 906,005
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 27,230,263
<INTEREST-LOAN> 1,183,634
<INTEREST-INVEST> 351,863
<INTEREST-OTHER> 56,252
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 1,591,749
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 392,684
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 854,737
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 737,012
<LOAN-LOSSES> 148,398
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 13,740
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 666,780
<INCOME-PRETAX> 266,435
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 200,604
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 200,604
<EPS-BASIC> 1.43
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 4.25
<LOANS-NON> 322,342
<LOANS-PAST> 24,960
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 134,044
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 292,010
<CHARGE-OFFS> 173,502
<RECOVERIES> 44,258
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 295,177
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 292,146
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 3,031
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 0
</TABLE>