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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RxEShZjN1goPwmZgVFqq/UvIx8cJRW+fukFXrVWDqm6F55xsRz5qbYObx8ZEcWSG
 n5m5Uo7yHzmluA56BaYslQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-002357.txt : 20040109
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-002357.hdr.sgml : 20040109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040109145813
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-002357
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040108
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040109

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IRIZARRY JORGE L DIAZ
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183932

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14793
		FILM NUMBER:		04517714

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 9146
		CITY:			SAN JUAN
		STATE:			PR
		ZIP:			00908
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7877298141

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST BANCORP /PR/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001057706
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				660561882
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1519 PONCE DE LEON AVE
		STREET 2:		SANTUREE
		CITY:			SAN JUAN
		STATE:			PR
		ZIP:			00908
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7877298200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1519 PONCE DE LEON AVE
		CITY:			SAN JUAN
		STATE:			PR
		ZIP:			00908
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>boa86659_boa01ji.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2004-01-08</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001057706</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST BANCORP /PR/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FBP</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001183932</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>IRIZARRY JORGE L DIAZ</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>URB. SAN PATRICIO</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4 MORA STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GUAYNABO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>00968</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>First BanCorp Preferred Stock Series A</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2004-01-08</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>P</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1450</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>26.00</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3700</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By Spouse</v
alue></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><remarks>
These shares are beneficially owned by Mrs. Eugenia Mayoral, who is spouse of Mr. Jorge Diaz.
</remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jorge L. Diaz Irizarry</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-08</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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