W HOLDING COMPANY, INC.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K


þ		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006


o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 000-27377

W HOLDING COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Commonwealth of Puerto Rico		66-0573197
(State or Other Jurisdiction of		(IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization)		Identification No.)

19 West McKinley Street, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico		00681
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (787) 834-8000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:


Common Stock ($1.00 par value per share)		New York Stock Exchange
(Title of Each Class)		(Name of Each Exchange in Which Registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:

(Title of Each Class)

7.125% Noncumulative, Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 1998 Series A ($1.00 Par Value per Share)

7.25% Noncumulative, Non-Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 1999 Series B ($1.00 Par Value per Share)

7.60% Noncumulative, Non-Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 2001 Series C ($1.00 Par Value per Share)

7.40% Noncumulative, Non-Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 2001 Series D ($1.00 Par Value per Share)

6.875% Noncumulative, Non-Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 2002 Series E ($1.00 Par Value per Share)

6.70% Noncumulative, Non-Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 2003 Series F ($1.00 Par Value per Share)

6.90% Noncumulative, Non-Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 2003 Series G ($1.00 Par Value per Share)

6.70% Noncumulative, Non-Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, 2004 Series H ($1.00 Par Value per Share)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required 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 þ No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer þ Accelerated Filer o Non-Accelerated Filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No þ

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2006, was $1,093,827,185 based upon the reported closing price of $6.65 on the New York Stock Exchange as of June 30, 2006.

Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of January 31, 2007: 164,772,600

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders expected to be held on May 10, 2007 are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I
	ITEM 1. BUSINESS
	ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
	ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
	ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
	ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
	ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
PART II
	ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
	ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
	ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
	ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
	ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
	ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
	ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
	ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
PART III
	ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
	ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
	ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
	ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
	ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
PART IV
	ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-10.13 DESCRIPTION OF ARRANGEMENT FOR DIRECTOR FEES
EX-10.14 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
EX-10.20 PAYMENT AGREEMENT
EX-21.1 SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
EX-23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO
EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CAO
EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CEO
EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CAO

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this filing and future filings by the Company, especially within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In general, the word or phrases “will likely result”, “are expected to”, “will continue”, “is anticipated”, “estimate”, “project”, “believe” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, certain disclosures and information customarily provided by financial institutions, such as analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses or an analysis of the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s assets and liabilities, are inherently based upon predictions of future events and circumstances. Although the Company makes such statements based on assumptions which it believes to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from the Company’s expectations. Important factors which could cause its results to differ from any results which might be projected, forecasted or estimated, based on such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) general economic and competitive conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, and the risks inherent in its operations; (ii) the Company’s ability to manage its credit risk and control its operating expenses, increase interest-earning assets and non-interest income, and maintain its net interest margin; (iii) fluctuations in interest rate and inflation; and (iv) the level of demand for new and existing products. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, other risks or uncertainties arise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update forward-looking statements.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

W Holding Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is a financial holding company offering a full range of financial services. The business of the Company is conducted primarily through its wholly-owned commercial bank subsidiary, Westernbank Puerto Rico (“Westernbank” or the “Bank”). The Company’s other direct subsidiary is Westernbank Insurance Corp. The Company was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in February 1999 to become the bank holding company of Westernbank. Westernbank was founded as a savings institution in 1958 operating in the western and southwestern regions of Puerto Rico, focusing on retail banking and emphasizing long-term fixed-rate residential mortgage loans on one-to-four family residential properties. In 1994, Westernbank changed its charter to become a full-service commercial bank. Westernbank offers a full range of business and consumer financial services, including banking, trust and brokerage services. Westernbank Insurance Corp. is a general insurance agent placing property, casualty, life and disability insurance. The assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of Westernbank Insurance Corp. at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, were not significant.

In July 2000, the Company became a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act. As a financial holding company, the Company is permitted to engage in financial related activities, including insurance and securities activities, provided that the Company and its banking subsidiary meet certain regulatory standards.

At December 31, 2006, the Company had total assets of $17.15 billion, a loan portfolio-net of $8.64 billion, an investment portfolio of $7.03 billion, excluding short-term money market instruments of $971.6 million, deposits of $9.34 billion, borrowings of $6.48 billion and stockholders’ equity of $1.23 billion. The Company has improved its efficiency ratio from 40.66% in 2002, to 34.94% for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Westernbank is the second largest commercial bank in Puerto Rico, based on total assets at December 31, 2006. Westernbank operates through a network of 56 bank branches (including 20 Expresso of Westernbank branches) located throughout Puerto Rico, including 33 in the Western and Southwestern regions, 14 in the San Juan metropolitan area, 7 in the Northeastern region, and 2 in the Eastern region, and a website on the Internet. Westernbank’s deposits, excluding Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), which is administered by the FDIC, up to $100,000 per depositor. IRAs are insured by DIF up to $250,000 per depositor. Westernbank traditional banking operations include retail operations, such as its branches, including the branches of the Expresso division, together with consumer loans, mortgage loans, commercial loans (excluding the asset-based lending operations), investments (treasury) and deposit products. Besides the traditional banking operations, Westernbank operates five other divisions: Westernbank International Division, which is an International Banking Entity (“IBE”) under the Puerto Rico Act No. 52 of August 11, 1989, as amended, known as the International Banking Center Regulatory Act, which offers commercial banking and related services, and treasury and investment activities outside of Puerto Rico; Westernbank Business Credit, which specializes in commercial business loans secured principally by commercial real estate, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment; Westernbank Trust Division, which offers a full array of trust services; Expresso of

Westernbank, a division which specializes in small, unsecured consumer loans up to $15,000 and real estate collateralized consumer loans up to $150,000 and Westernbank International Trade Services, established during the first quarter of year 2006, a division which specializes in international trade products and services. Westernbank owns 100% of the voting shares of Westernbank World Plaza, Inc., which owns and operates Westernbank World Plaza; a 23-story office building, including its related parking facility, located in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, the main Puerto Rican business district. Westernbank also owns 100% of the voting shares of SRG Net, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation that operates an electronic funds transfer network. The assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of SRG Net, Inc. at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, were not significant. Westernbank also owns 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Westernbank Financial Center Corp. (“WFCC”). WFCC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida to carry commercial lending and other related activities in the United States of America. WFCC commenced operations in February 2007.

Westernbank seeks to differentiate itself from other banks by focusing on customer relationships and personalized service, offering customers direct access to senior management. As part of this strategy, Westernbank strives to make fast and effective decisions locally. Westernbank’s branches offer modern facilities with advanced technology and remain open to customers for longer hours compared to many other local banks, with a number of branches offering both Saturday and Sunday hours. In addition, Westernbank trains its employees to promote an effective and customer-focused sales culture. Westernbank is one of the fastest-growing commercial banks in Puerto Rico, increasing both total assets and loans at an average annual growth rate of over 24.58% for the last five fiscal years. The Company has achieved this growth while consistently maintaining a combined delinquency ratio on all loan portfolios for the categories of 60 days and over below 1.00%.

The Company continues to emphasize growing Westernbank’s commercial loan portfolio through commercial real estate, asset-based, unsecured business and construction lending. As a result, the Company’s asset composition is mainly composed of assets with shorter maturities and greater repricing flexibility. At December 31, 2006, commercial real estate, commercial, industrial and agricultural (“Commercial and C&I”) and construction loans were $6.94 billion or 80.35% (81.65% of which are collateralized by real estate) and consumer loans were $810.0 million or 9.37% (60.59% of which are collateralized by real estate) of the $8.64 billion loan portfolio-net. Investment securities, excluding money market instruments of $971.6 million, totaled $7.03 billion at December 31, 2006. These loans and securities tend to have shorter maturities and reprice faster than traditional residential mortgage loans. The Company also continues to diversify and grow Westernbank’s sources of revenue, while maintaining its status as a secured lender, with approximately 83% of its loans collateralized by real estate as of December 31, 2006.

The Company is focused on the expansion of Westernbank in the San Juan metropolitan area. The Company has opened 14 branches in the San Juan metropolitan area since 1998, including seven Expresso of Westernbank branches in July 2002. In the first quarter of 2002, Westernbank acquired Westernbank World Plaza; a 23-story office building that is the tallest in Puerto Rico’s main business district and now serves as the Company’s San Juan metropolitan area headquarters, the Bank’s regional commercial lending office and the headquarters for Westernbank Business Credit, the Expresso of Westernbank and Westernbank International Trade Services divisions. In addition, the Company continues to build upon its existing platform and further expand its fee-based businesses, including insurance brokerage, trust services and securities brokerage. In March 2005, the Company opened its first mega branch in the eastern region of Puerto Rico, in the town of Humacao and in December 2005, it opened a mega branch in the Condado area in the city of San Juan. In September 2006, the Company opened its newest mega branch in the city of Bayamón.

Commercial lending, including commercial real estate and asset-based lending, unsecured business lending and construction lending, generally carry a greater risk than residential lending because such loans are typically larger in size and more risk is concentrated in a single borrower. In addition, the borrower’s ability to repay a commercial loan or a construction loan depends, in the case of a commercial loan, on the successful operation of the business or the property securing the loan and, in the case of a construction loan, on the successful completion and sale or operation of the project. Substantially all of the Company’s borrowers and properties and other collateral securing the commercial, real estate mortgage and consumer loans are located in Puerto Rico. These loans may be subject to a greater risk of default if the Puerto Rico economy suffers adverse economic, political or business developments, or if natural disasters affect Puerto Rico.

The Company’s financial performance is reported in two primary business segments, the traditional banking operations of Westernbank Puerto Rico and the activities of Westernbank’s division known as Westernbank International. Other operations of the Company, not reportable in either segment, include Westernbank Business Credit Division; Westernbank Trust Division; Westernbank International Trade Services Division; SRG Net, Inc.; Westernbank Insurance Corp.; Westernbank World Plaza, Inc.; and the transactions of the parent company only, which mainly consist of other income related to the equity in the net income of its two wholly-owned subsidiaries.

The traditional banking operations of Westernbank Puerto Rico include retail operations, such as its branches, including the branches of the Expresso division, together with consumer loans, mortgage loans, commercial loans (excluding the asset-based lending operations), investments (treasury) and deposit products. Consumer loans include loans such as personal, collateralized personal loans, credit cards, and small loans. Commercial products consist of commercial loans including commercial real estate, unsecured commercial and construction loans.

Westernbank International’s business activities consist of commercial banking and related services, and treasury and investment activities outside of Puerto Rico. As of December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, and for the periods then ended, substantially all of Westernbank International’s business activities consisted of investment in securities of and loans to entities located in the United States of America. At December 31, 2006, Westernbank International had $335.4 million in loans receivable-net of which $109.3 million were foreign loans (see Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements).

Established in 2001, Westernbank Insurance Corp. is a general insurance agent placing property, casualty, life and disability insurance on which it earns commission income. Currently, most of the agency’s volume is derived from two areas — mortgage insurance on residential mortgage loans and credit life insurance for borrowers of personal loans.

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries’ executive offices are located at 19 West McKinley Street, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00681, and the telephone number is (787) 834-8000. The Company’s Internet address is www.wholding.com. Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are available, without charge, on our website, http://www.wholding.com/InvestorRelations.asp, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed electronically with the SEC. Copies are also available, without charge, from W Holding Company, Inc, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, 19 West McKinley Street, 4^th Floor, Mayagüez, PR 00680.

The information required by Item 101 (b) of Regulation S-K appears in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, and is included herein in Part II, Item 8. See Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements for further information about the Company’s business segments.

COMPETITION

The financial services and banking business are highly competitive, and the profitability of the Company will depend principally upon the Company’s ability to continue to compete in its market area as well as to a significant extent upon general economic conditions in its market place. The Company competes with other commercial and non-commercial banks, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokerage and investment banking firms, asset-based non-bank lenders and certain other non-financial institutions, including certain governmental organizations which may offer subsidized financing at lower rates than those offered by the Company. The Company has been able to compete effectively with other financial institutions by emphasizing technology and customer service, including local office decision-making on loans, establishing long-term customer relationships and building customer loyalty, and by providing products and services designed to address the specific needs of its customers. Significant deterioration in the local economy or external economic conditions, such as inflation, recession, unemployment, real estate values and other factors beyond the Company’s control, could also substantially impact the Company’s performance. There can be no assurance that future adverse changes in the local economy would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

LENDING ACTIVITIES

GENERAL. At December 31, 2006, the Company’s net loans amounted to $8.64 billion or 50.37% of total assets.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio at the dates indicated.


	At December 31,
	2006						2005						2004						2003						2002
	Amount			Percent			Amount			Percent			Amount			Percent			Amount			Percent			Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate - mortgage (1)	$	4,945,932			57.2	%	$	4,260,258			54.5	%	$	3,154,679			53.3	%	$	2,261,465			48.3	%	$	1,647,602			38.9	%
Residential real estate - mortgage (2)		1,014,957			11.8			1,298,535			16.6			879,056			14.9			894,007			19.1			844,803			22.5
Construction — mortgage		722,789			8.4			505,760			6.5			328,145			5.5			202,600			4.3			181,266			4.8
Commercial, industrial and agricultural (1)		1,274,236			14.7			1,013,092			13.0			768,604			13.0			524,747			11.2			384,200			15.2
Consumer and others (3) (4)		809,953			9.4			830,384			10.6			866,934			14.6			861,907			18.4			743,600			19.8


Total loans		8,767,867			101.5			7,908,029			101.2			5,997,418			101.3			4,744,726			101.3			3,801,471			101.2

Allowance for loan losses		(126,844	)		(1.5	)		(92,406	)		(1.2	)		(80,066	)		(1.3	)		(61,608	)		(1.3	)		(47,114	)		(1.2	)


Loans — net	$	8,641,023			100.0	%	$	7,815,623			100.0	%	$	5,917,352			100.0	%	$	4,683,118			100.0	%	$	3,754,357			100.00	%


(1)		Includes $1.46 billion, $1.26 billion, $831.1 million, $641.1 million and $427.7 million of Westernbank Business Credit division outstanding loans at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(2)		Includes fixed and floating interest rate loans to two mortgage originator groups in Puerto Rico mainly secured by mortgages on one-to-four family residential properties as follows: $940.0 million, $1.14 billion, $745.0 million, $750.6 million, and $701.6 million at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(3)		Includes $129.0 million, $135.0 million, $144.0 million, $155.6 million and $117.4 million of Expresso of Westernbank division outstanding loans at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(4)		Includes $490.7 million, $585.9 million, $585.2 million, $521.6 million and $447.9 million collateralized by real estate at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, respectively.

Residential real estate — mortgage loans are mainly comprised of loans secured by first mortgages on one-to-four family residential properties. At December 31, 2006, residential and commercial real estate loans included $940.0 million in commercial loans, mainly secured by individual mortgages on one-to-four family residential properties, to two mortgage originator groups in Puerto Rico and $26.0 million of mortgages insured or guaranteed by government agencies of the United States or Puerto Rico.

Westernbank has a significant fixed rate lending concentration with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $894.0 million in one mortgage originator group in Puerto Rico at December 31, 2006. In addition, Westernbank has outstanding $46.0 million of fixed and floating rate loans to another mortgage originator group in Puerto Rico, for total outstanding loans to mortgage originator groups amounting to $940.0 million at December 31, 2006. These commercial loans are secured by 11,672 individual mortgage loans on residential and commercial real estate with an average principal outstanding balance of $80,534. Westernbank’s historical experience with the mortgage originator groups is that they have paid these loans in accordance with their terms. On March 16, 2006, Westernbank obtained a waiver from the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with respect to the statutory limit for individual borrowers (loan to one borrower limit), which allows the Company to retain the above significant commercial loans in its portfolio until these are paid in full.

On June 30, 2006, Westernbank entered into an agreement to restructure the terms of the original transactions of the $894.0 million lending relationship described above. The agreement eliminated the recourse provisions on the underlying loans, terminated the counterparties’ call rights, converted the return from variable to a fixed rate, and resulted in a net compensation of $25.8 million to Westernbank. One of the purposes of that transaction was to give Westernbank the ability to use sale accounting treatment. However, because most of the individual mortgage loans were originally transferred to the ultimate transferor within the mortgage originator group by two of its affiliates, the Company has not been able to obtain persuasive evidence that the transfers of loans from the affiliates to the entity that subsequently transferred the loans to Westernbank met all the criteria for sale accounting under the provisions of SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. As a result, the Company continues to present these transactions as commercial loans secured by real estate mortgages. The net compensation of $25.8 million received by Westernbank in connection with the June 30, 2006 transaction is being amortized over the remaining life of these loans as a yield adjustment.

in the case of a construction loan, on the successful completion and sale or operation of the project. Substantially all of the Company’s borrowers and properties and other collateral securing the commercial, real estate mortgage and consumer loans are located in Puerto Rico. These loans may be subject to a greater risk of default if the Puerto Rico economy suffers adverse economic, political or business developments, or if natural disasters affect Puerto Rico. Foreign loans, mainly to entities in Canada and in the United Kingdom, amounted to $109.3 million at December 31, 2006.

The portfolio of Consumer and other loans at December 31, 2006, consisted of consumer loans of $810.0 million, of which $490.7 million are secured by real estate, $282.7 million are unsecured consumer loans (consisting of $104.3 million of Expresso of Westernbank division unsecured loans portfolio, credit card loans of $48.7 million and other consumer loans of $129.7 million) and loans secured by deposits in Westernbank totaling $36.6 million.

During 2006, Westernbank securitized $4.6 million and $4.0 million of residential mortgage loans into Government National Mortgage Association and Fannie Mae participation certificates, respectively, and sold loans amounting to $16.6 million to Fannie Mae. Westernbank continues to service outstanding loans which are securitized and those individually sold to Fannie Mae.

The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of Westernbank’s total loans for the periods indicated at December 31, 2006. Contractual maturities do not necessarily reflect the expected term of a loan, including prepayments.


			Maturities
					After one year to five years				After five years
	Balance		One year or		Fixed		Variable		Fixed		Variable
	outstanding		less		interest		interest		interest		interest
	(In thousands)

Commercial real estate — mortgage	$	4,945,932	$	1,503,741	$	349,206	$	774,960	$	125,973	$	2,192,052
Residential real estate — mortgage (1)		1,014,957		8,194		51,921		7		918,186		36,649
Construction — mortgage		722,789		502,411		—		220,378		—		—
Commercial, industrial and agricultural		1,274,236		491,124		17,310		636,541		54,349		74,912
Consumer and others		809,953		135,469		167,245		8,188		82,826		416,225


Total	$	8,767,867	$	2,640,939	$	585,682	$	1,640,074	$	1,181,334	$	2,719,838


(1)		Includes fixed and floating interest rate loans to two mortgage originator groups in Puerto Rico mainly secured by mortgage on one-to-four familiy residential properties with an outstanding principal balance of $940.0 million at December 31, 2006.

ORIGINATION, PURCHASE AND SALE OF LOANS. Westernbank’s loan originations come from a number of sources. The primary sources for residential loan originations are depositors and walk-in customers. Commercial loan originations come from existing customers as well as through direct solicitation and referrals.

Westernbank originates loans in accordance with written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures prescribed in the Board of Directors approved loan policies. Detailed loan applications are obtained to determine the borrower’s repayment ability. Applications are verified through the use of credit reports, financial statements and other confirmation procedures. Property valuations by independent appraisers approved by the Board of Directors are required for mortgage and all real estate loans.

Westernbank’s Senior Credit Committee approval is required for all loans in excess of $20.0 million ($15.0 million in the case of Westernbank Business Credit Division). The Senior Credit Committee also reviews and ratifies all loans from $1.0 million to $20.0 million approved by Westernbank’s regional credit committees. The Senior Credit Committee is composed of a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors and senior lending officers. All loans in excess of $20.0 million ($15.0 million for Westernbank Business Credit Division) approved by the Senior Credit Committee are also reviewed and ratified by the Board of Directors of the Company. All loans in excess of $50.0 million require the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company.

It is Westernbank’s policy to require borrowers to provide title insurance policies certifying or ensuring that Westernbank has a valid first lien on the mortgaged real estate. Borrowers must also obtain hazard insurance policies prior to closing and, when required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, flood insurance policies. Borrowers may be required to advance funds on a monthly basis together with each payment of principal and interest to a mortgage escrow account from which Westernbank makes disbursements for items such as real estate taxes, hazard insurance premiums and private mortgage insurance premiums as they fall due.

Westernbank originates fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans secured by a first mortgage on the borrower’s real property, payable in monthly installments for terms ranging from ten to forty-five years. Adjustable rates are indexed to specified prime or LIBOR rate. Westernbank’s practice is that its limited production and origination of residential real estate loans are mostly conforming loans, eligible for sale in the secondary market. The loan-to-value ratio at the time of origination on residential mortgages is generally 75%, except that Westernbank may lend up to 90% of the lower of the purchase price or appraised value of residential properties if private mortgage insurance is obtained by the borrower for amounts in excess of 80%.

Westernbank originates primarily variable and adjustable rate commercial business and real estate loans. Westernbank also makes real estate construction loans subject to firm permanent financing commitments. As of December 31, 2006, Westernbank’s Commercial and C&I and construction loan portfolios had a total delinquency ratio, including the categories of 60 days and over, of 0.63% (less than 1%), compared to 0.85% (less than 1%) at December 31, 2005. For further explanation on the delinquency ratio of the Company’s commercial loan portfolio refer to section “NON-PERFORMING LOANS AND FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE HELD FOR SALE”.

Westernbank offers different types of consumer loans in order to provide a full range of financial services to its customers. Within the different types of consumer loans offered by Westernbank, there are various types of secured and unsecured consumer loans with varying amortization schedules. In addition, Westernbank makes fixed-rate residential second mortgage consumer loans. In July 2002, Westernbank launched a banking division focused on offering consumer loans that now has 20 full-service branches, called “Expresso of Westernbank”, denoting the branches’ emphasis on small, unsecured consumer loans up to $15,000 and collateralized consumer loans up to $150,000.

Westernbank offers the service of VISA^TM and MasterCard ^TM credit cards. At December 31, 2006, there were approximately 21,499 outstanding accounts, with an aggregate outstanding balance of $48.7 million and unused credit card lines available of $81.8 million.

In connection with all consumer loans originated, Westernbank’s underwriting standards include a determination of the applicants’ payment history on other debts and an assessment of the ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan. As of December 31, 2006, Westernbank’s consumer loan portfolio, including the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio, had a total delinquency ratio, including the categories of 60 days and over, of 1.52%, compared to 1.13% at December 31, 2005. The increase in the delinquency ratio from 2005 to 2006 was mainly due to delinquencies in regular consumer loans past due over 90 days which are collateralized by real estate properties.

Westernbank has 83% of its loan portfolio as of December 31, 2006, secured by real estate. Our combined delinquency on all portfolios for the categories of 60 days and over continues to be below 1% for both periods, being 0.66% at December 31, 2006, and 0.72% at December 31, 2005. The improvement in the combined delinquency ratio arises from a reduction in delinquent loans of the Commercial and C&I and construction loan portfolios.

INCOME FROM LENDING ACTIVITIES. Westernbank realizes interest income and fee income from its lending activities. For the most part, interest rates charged by Westernbank on loans depend upon the general interest rate environment, the demand for loans and the availability of funds. Westernbank also receives fees for originating and committing to originate or purchase loans and also charges service fees for the assumption of loans, late payments, inspection of properties, appraisals and other miscellaneous services.

Loan origination and commitment fees vary with the volume and type of loans and commitments made and sold and with competitive conditions in the residential and commercial mortgage markets. Loan origination fees net of related direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loans as a yield adjustment using the interest method or a method which approximates the interest method. Commitment fees are also deferred and amortized over the life of the related loans as a yield adjustment. If the commitment expires unexercised, the fee is taken into income.

Westernbank recognizes as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans for others, regardless of how those servicing rights are acquired and assesses the capitalized mortgage servicing rights for impairment based on the fair value of those rights. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual servicing right, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount for that right. 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. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated servicing income. As of December 31, 2006, Westernbank had $3.0 million in mortgage servicing assets.

NON-PERFORMING LOANS AND FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE. When a borrower fails to make a required payment on a loan, Westernbank attempts to cure the deficiency by contacting the borrower. In most cases, deficiencies are cured promptly. If the delinquency exceeds 90 days and is not cured through normal collection procedures, Westernbank will generally institute measures to remedy the default. If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not cured, paid in full or refinanced, the property is sold at a judicial sale at which Westernbank may acquire the property. In the event that the property is sold at a price insufficient to cover the balance of the loan, the debtor remains liable for the deficiency. Thereafter, if Westernbank acquires the property, such acquired property is appraised and included in the foreclosed real estate held for sale account at the fair value at the date of acquisition. Then, this asset is carried at the lower of fair value less estimated costs to sell or cost until the property is sold.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when there is a clear indication that the borrower’s cash flows may not be sufficient to meet payments as they become due, but in no event is it recognized after a borrower is 90 days in arrears on payments of principal or interest. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is charged against income and the loan is accounted for on the cash method thereafter, until qualifying for return to accrual status. Generally, a loan is returned to accrual status when all delinquent interest and principal payments become current in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or when the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection and collectibility is no longer doubtful. Consumer loans that have principal and interest payments that have become past due one hundred and twenty days and credit cards and other consumer revolving lines of credit that have principal and interest payments that have become past due one hundred and eighty days are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.

The following table sets forth information regarding non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate held for sale by the Company at the dates indicated:


	December 31,
	2006			2005			2004			2003			2002
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans	$	154,862		$	55,585		$	25,417		$	24,142		$	13,567
Residential real estate mortgage and construction loans		1,641			2,125			1,730			2,259			2,026
Consumer loans		9,309			6,288			7,122			4,845			3,812

Total non-performing loans		165,812			63,998			34,269			31,246			19,405
Foreclosed real estate held for sale		5,917			4,137			3,811			4,082			3,679

Total non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate held for sale	$	171,729		$	68,135		$	38,080		$	35,328		$	23,084


Interest that would have been recorded if the loans had not been classified as non-performing	$	9,052		$	4,916		$	3,557		$	2,500		$	1,102

Interest recorded on non-performing loans	$	4,785		$	743		$	243		$	583		$	775

Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans at end of period		1.89	%		0.81	%		0.58	%		0.66	%		0.51	%

Total non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate held for sale as a percentage of total assets at end of period		1.00	%		0.42	%		0.27	%		0.31	%		0.28	%

The increase in non-performing loans from year end 2005, to year end 2006 mainly comes from the Company’s Commercial and C&I loan portfolio. Non-performing loans on the Commercial and C&I loan portfolio increased by $99.3 million, when compared to December 31, 2005. The increase is mainly attributed to four loans of the Company’s asset based lending division, with outstanding principal balances of $44.9 million, $40.5 million, $14.2 million and $7.3 million at December 31, 2006. These loans are current and have not missed their payment schedules but have shortfalls in the collaterals and in the financial condition of the borrowers. These loans required valuation allowances as follows: $11.4 million for the $44.9 million loan, $15.2 million for the $40.5 million loan, $4.7 million for the $14.2 million loan and $2.5 million for the $7.3 million loan. During the year ended December 31, 2006, five loans related to one single borrower that were in non-performing status at December 31, 2005, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $8.4 million, were collected. Non-performing loans on the consumer loans portfolio increased by $3.0 million or 48.04% at December 31, 2006, when compared to December 31, 2005. Such increase was mainly due to non-performing loans in the regular consumer loans portfolio which are collateralized by real estate. At December 31, 2006, the allowance for possible loan losses was 76.50% of total non-performing loans (reserve coverage).

The increase in non-performing loans from year end 2004, to year end 2005 mainly comes from the Company’s Commercial and C&I loan portfolio. Non-performing loans on the Commercial and C&I loan portfolio increased by $30.2 million, when compared to December 31, 2004. The increase is primarily attributed to one loan of Westernbank Business Credit division originally acquired in the purchased loan portfolio, with an outstanding principal balance of $10.1 million. There is also one borrower with five commercial loans with an aggregate principal balance of $8.4 million, and five other commercial loans with outstanding principal balances between $1.0 million to $3.0 million, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $8.2 million. These loans are collateralized with real estate and did not require any valuation allowance. At December 31, 2005, the allowance for possible loan losses was 144.39% of total non-performing loans (reserve coverage).

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES. Westernbank maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance is based on ongoing, quarterly assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio, based on evaluations of the collectibility and historical loss experience of loans. The Company follows a systematic methodology to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. This methodology consists of several key elements, which include:

The Formula Allowance. The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans not otherwise covered by specific allowances. Loss factors are based on historical loss experience and may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, reflect the impact of any current condition on loss recognition. Factors that management considers in the analysis include the effect of the national and local economies, trends in the nature and volume of loans (delinquencies, charge-offs, non-accrual and problem loans), asset quality trends, changes in the internal lending policies and credit standards, collection practices, and examination results from bank regulatory agencies and the Company’s internal credit examiners. Loss factors are described as follows:

	•		Loan loss factors for commercial loans, including construction and land acquisition loans, are based on average loss trends (historical net charge-offs and changes in the specific allowances) for three to five years, as adjusted for management’s expected increase in the loss factors given the significant increase in such loan portfolios over the last few years.

	•		Pooled loan loss factors are also based on average loss trends (historical net charge-offs and changes in the specific allowances) for one to three years. Pooled loans are loans that are homogeneous in nature, such as consumer installment, residential mortgage loans and credit cards.

Specific Allowances for Identified Problem Loans and Portfolio Segments. Specific allowances are established and maintained where management has identified significant adverse conditions or circumstances related to a credit or portfolio segment that management believes indicate the probability that a loss has been incurred in excess of the amount determined by the application of the formula allowance. Larger commercial and construction loans that exhibit probable or observed credit weaknesses are subject to individual review. Where appropriate, allowances are allocated to individual loans based on management’s estimate of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of cash flow and legal options available to Westernbank.

In addition, the specific allowance incorporates the results of measuring impaired loans as provided in SFAS No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, as amended. This accounting standard prescribes the measurement methods, income recognition and disclosures concerning impaired loans.

The Unallocated Allowance. An unallocated allowance is established recognizing the estimation risk associated with the formula and specific allowances. It is based upon management’s evaluation of various conditions, the effects of which are not directly measured in determining the formula and specific allowances. These conditions include then-existing general economic and business conditions affecting our key lending areas; credit quality trends, including trends in nonperforming loans expected to result from existing conditions, collateral values, loan volumes and concentrations, seasoning of the loan portfolio, recent loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio, regulatory examination results, and findings of our internal credit examiners. The evaluation of the inherent loss regarding these conditions involves a higher degree of uncertainty because these are not identified with specific problem credits or portfolio segments.

Management assesses these conditions quarterly. If any of these conditions is evidenced by a specifically identifiable problem credit or portfolio segment as of the evaluation date, management’s estimate of the effect of this condition may be reflected as a specific allowance applicable to this credit or portfolio segment. Where any of these conditions is not evidenced by a specifically identifiable problem credit or portfolio segment as of the evaluation date, management’s evaluation of the probable loss concerning this condition is reflected in the unallocated allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is based upon estimates of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount actually observed for these losses can vary significantly from the estimated amounts. Our methodology includes several features that are intended to reduce the differences between estimated and actual losses. Historical loss factors for commercial and consumer loans may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, reflect the impact of any current condition on loss recognition. Factors which management considers in the analysis include the effect of the national and local economies, trends in the nature and volume of loans (delinquencies, charge-offs, non-accrual and problem loans), changes in the internal lending policies and credit standards, collection practices, and examination results from bank regulatory agencies and the Bank’s internal credit examiners. Loan loss factors are adjusted quarterly based upon the level of net charge-offs expected by management in the next twelve months, after taking into account historical loss ratios adjusted for current trends. By assessing the probable estimated losses inherent in the loans portfolio on a quarterly basis, we are able to adjust specific and inherent loss estimates based upon any more recent information that has become available.

At December 31, 2006, the allowance for loan losses was $126.8 million, consisting of $86.6 million formula allowance (general allowance) and $40.2 million of specific allowance. As of December 31, 2006, the allowance for loan losses equals 1.45% of total loans, compared with an allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2005, of $92.4 million, or 1.17% of total loans.

As of December 31, 2006, there have been no significant changes in estimation methods or assumptions that affected our methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses.

The table below presents a reconciliation of changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:


	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
	2006			2005			2004			2003			2002
	(Dollars in thousands)

Balance, beginning of year	$	92,406		$	80,066		$	61,608		$	47,114		$	38,364

Loans charged-off:
Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans (1)		(22,606	)		(8,233	)		(5,433	)		(2,479	)		(3,389	)
Residential real estate mortgage and construction loans		(94	)		(121	)		(297	)		(184	)		—
Consumer loans (2)		(12,576	)		(13,809	)		(16,473	)		(12,203	)		(4,576	)

Total loans charged-off		(35,276	)		(22,163	)		(22,203	)		(14,866	)		(7,965	)

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		2,846			1,008			1,844			1,141			584
Residential real estate mortgage and construction loans		66			212			206			372			190
Consumer loans (3)		2,252			2,283			1,920			799			858

Total recoveries of loans previously charged-off		5,164			3,503			3,970			2,312			1,632

Net loans charged-off		(30,112	)		(18,660	)		(18,233	)		(12,554	)		(6,333	)
Provision for loan losses		64,550			31,000			36,691			27,048			15,083

Balance, end of year	$	126,844		$	92,406		$	80,066		$	61,608		$	47,114

Ratios:
Allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period		1.45	%		1.17	%		1.34	%		1.30	%		1.24	%
Provision for loan losses to net loans charged-off		214.37	%		166.13	%		201.23	%		215.45	%		238.17	%
Recoveries of loans to loans charged-off in previous period		23.30	%		15.78	%		26.71	%		29.03	%		23.19	%
Net loans charged-off to average total loans (4)		0.36	%		0.27	%		0.34	%		0.29	%		0.19	%
Allowance for loans losses to non-performing loans		76.50	%		144.39	%		233.64	%		197.17	%		242.80	%


(1)		Includes partial charge-offs of $15.8 million and $5.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and a $505,000 charge-off in 2002 of Westernbank Business Credit division loans.

(2)		Includes $8.9 million, $9.8 million, $12.4 million, $7.9 million and $62,000 of Expresso of Westernbank loan charge-offs, for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Expresso of Westernbank began operations on July 10, 2002.

(3)		Includes $1.0 million, $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $17,000 of Expresso of Westernbank loan recoveries, for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

(4)		Average loans were computed using beginning and period-end balances.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, net loan charge-offs amounted to $30.1 million or 0.36% of average loans, an increase of $11.5 million or 61.37%, when compared to $18.7 million or 0.27% to average loans in 2005. The increase in loans charged-off for the year ended December 31, 2006, when compared to the same period in 2005, is mainly attributed to an increase of $14.6 million in Commercial and C&I loans charged-off. Such increase in the Commercial and C&I loans charged-off resulted principally from loans charged-off on the Company’s asset based lending division. During the year 2006, the Company partially charged-off three loans of its asset based lending division with outstanding principal balances after charge-offs of $44.9 million, $7.3 million and $3.1 million, at December 31, 2006, as follows: $7.5 million on the $44.9 million loan, $3.0 million of the $7.3 million loan and $5.3 million on the $3.1 million loan. These loans are current and have not missed their payment schedules but have shortfalls in the collaterals and in the financial condition of the borrowers. At December 31, 2006, these loans required valuation allowances as follows: $11.4 million for the $44.9 million loan and $2.5 million for the $7.3 million loan. The $3.1 million loan did not require a valuation allowance at December 31, 2006.

Consumer loan charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2006, were $12.6 million, an improvement of $1.2 million or 8.93%, when compared to $13.8 million for the same period in 2005. Such improvement is principally attributed to lower charge-offs by the Expresso of Westernbank division, the principal component of the consumer loan charge-offs. Loans charged-off by the Expresso of Westernbank division decreased from $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, to $8.9 million for the same period in 2006, a decrease of $836,000. This is the result of management’s strategy of stabilizing loan losses and increasing the overall rates charged on the Expresso loan portfolio by continuously reviewing its underwriting policies and increasing the level of collateralized loans. The average yield of the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was 23.74% at December 31, 2006. Also, the portion of the loan portfolio of Expresso of Westernbank collateralized by real estate at December 31, 2006, already accounts for 20% of the outstanding balance.

The accounts written-off are submitted to the Collections Department recovery unit for continued collection efforts. Recoveries made from accounts previously written-off amounted to $5.2 million in 2006 and $3.5 million in 2005, an improvement of $1.7 million or 47.42%.

At December 31, 2006, the allowance for possible loan losses was 76.50% of total non-performing loans (reserve coverage). The decrease in the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans ratio was principally due to the increase in Commercial & C&I non-performing loans, mainly from the Company’s asset based lending division.

The decrease in the provision for loan losses from 2004 to 2005 was attributed to lower net charge offs of the Expresso of Westernbank division loan portfolio and relatively stable delinquencies in our commercial and consumer loan portfolios during the year 2005, when compared to the same period in 2004. The provision for loan losses for Westernbank Business Credit division accounted for $22.4 million or 72.33% of the total provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2005, while for year 2004, it accounted for $6.0 million or 16.33% of the total provision for loan losses. The increase of $16.4 million in the provision for loan losses for Westernbank Business Credit division is mainly attributable to two factors; first, an increase in the division loss ratio as a result of a $5.3 million partial charge-off of one loan that was acquired in the original purchased loan portfolio of this division on June 15, 2001. Second, the increase in the specific reserves of two loans of the division loan portfolio during the fourth quarter of year 2005. Outstanding principal balances on these loans were $10.1 million and $14.1 million at December 31, 2005, with specific reserves of $6.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively. The provision for loan losses for the consumer loan portfolio decreased by $10.0 million, from 2004 to 2005. This decrease was primarily due to the relatively stable delinquency levels at the consumer loans portfolio, the decrease in the outstanding balance of the loan portfolio of the Expresso of Westernbank and the decrease in net charge-offs, principally in the Expresso of Westernbank division loan portfolio. The decrease in the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was mainly due to management’s strategy of stabilizing charge-offs as the division’s portfolio matures and average yield continues to increase.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, net charge-offs to average loans decreased from 0.34% for the year 2004, to 0.27% for the year 2005. In absolute dollar amounts, net charge-offs remained relatively unchanged at $18.7 million, when compared to $18.2 million in 2004. Commercial loans charged-off were $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, when compared to $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, an increase of $2.8 million or 51.54%. The increase in Commercial and C&I loans charged-off was primarily due to the partial charge-off of $5.3 million of one loan that was acquired in the original purchased loan portfolio of Westernbank Business Credit division on June 15, 2001. Loans charged-off in the consumer loans portfolio decreased by $2.7 million or 16.17%, from $16.5 million in 2004, to $13.8 million in 2005. The decrease is principally attributed to lower charge-offs by the Expresso of Westernbank division, the principal component of the consumer loans charged- offs. Loans charged-off by the Expresso of Westernbank division decreased from $12.4 million for year 2004, to $9.8 million for year 2005, a decrease of $2.6 million or 20.97%. Management strategy of stabilizing charge-offs and increasing the yield of the Expresso loan portfolio by continuously reviewing its underwriting policies, increasing the level of collateralized loans, and increasing the overall rates charged has resulted in lower levels in net charge-offs and a higher yield. The average yield of the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was 23.15% at December 31, 2005. Also, the loan portfolio of Expresso of Westernbank collateralized by real

estate at December 31, 2005, already accounts for 15% of the outstanding balance. The accounts written-off are submitted to the Collections Department recovery unit for continued collection efforts. Recoveries made from accounts previously written-off amounted to $3.5 million in 2005 and $4.0 million in 2004.

The Expresso loan portfolio includes small, unsecured consumer loans up to $15,000 and real estate collateralized consumer loans up to $150,000. These loans generally have a higher credit risk when compared to the rest of Westernbank’s consumer loan portfolio, since the Expresso Division principally targets the typical small consumer loan customers that are usually low income earners. Therefore, the Expresso of Westernbank division loan portfolio carries a higher risk of default when compared to the total consumer loans portfolio in general.

The Expresso of Westernbank division has established policies, procedures and controls to assess, monitor and adequately manage the specific credit risk posed by this loan portfolio under the FDIC guidelines for sub-prime lending programs, even though this program does not exceed the 25% of capital applicable for such guidelines. The division’s loan analyses and applications are processed in the system software that has embedded controls to help enforce the lending policies and limits as approved by the division’s senior management. Lending parameters and authority levels are programmed in a loan process application, restricting individuals to their level of authority. Also, the system uses tools to assist the loan officer in identifying critical information in the customer’s credit report based on a credit scoring process. The system returns a suggested decision and loan amount, based on the customer’s net disposable income, FICO Score, and credit profile tests. In addition to this package, the division branches obtain a credit report from a second credit bureau to ensure that the lending officer possesses all information needed to make an informed decision and to reduce the division’s credit risk exposure. Overall credit scores for the portfolio are analyzed periodically.

The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for credit losses, the loan portfolio composition percentage and the allowance coverage ratio in each loan category to total loans, as set forth in the “Loans” table on page 5, at the end of each year.


	AT DECEMBER 31,
	2006			2005			2004			2003			2002
	(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:

Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans (1)	$	103,806		$	68,664		$	54,493		$	39,217		$	30,271
Residential real estate mortgage		4,654			3,275			407			415			443
Construction mortgage		3,616			4,059			3,715			2,183			1,400
Consumer and others (2)		12,029			14,430			19,425			17,472			12,004
Unallocated		2,739			1,978			2,026			2,321			2,996

Total allowance for loan losses	$	126,844		$	92,406		$	80,066		$	61,608		$	47,114


Loan portfolio composition percentages:

Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		70.94	%		66.68	%		65.42	%		58.72	%		53.45	%
Residential real estate mortgage		11.58	%		16.42	%		14.66	%		18.84	%		22.22	%
Construction mortgage		8.24	%		6.40	%		5.47	%		4.27	%		4.77	%
Consumer and others		9.24	%		10.50	%		14.45	%		18.17	%		19.56	%

Total loans		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%


Allowance coverage ratio at end of year:

Applicable to:

Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		1.67	%		1.30	%		1.39	%		1.41	%		1.49	%
Residential real estate mortgage		0.46	%		0.25	%		0.05	%		0.05	%		0.05	%
Construction mortgage		0.50	%		0.80	%		1.13	%		1.08	%		0.77	%
Consumer and others		1.49	%		1.74	%		2.24	%		2.03	%		1.61	%
Unallocated (as a percentage of total loans)		0.03	%		0.03	%		0.03	%		0.05	%		0.08	%

Total loans		1.45	%		1.17	%		1.34	%		1.30	%		1.24	%


(1)		Includes an allowance of $74.3 million, $30.0 million, $12.9 million, $6.6 million and $4.5 million for Westernbank Business Credit loans at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(2)		Includes an allowance of $7.8 million, $8.4 million, $13.8 million, $10.0 million and $1.5 million for Expresso of Westernbank loans portfolio at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Expresso of Westernbank began operations on July 10, 2002.

The increase in the allowance for credit losses is attributable to the following factors: first, the overall growth in the Company’s loan portfolio, mainly those of its Commercial and C&I loans; and second, to higher non-performing loans, net loans charged-off and specific reserves during the period, principally in the loan portfolio of the Company’s asset-based lending division, which increased the loan loss factor of this portfolio and its corresponding general allowance.

In 2006 and 2005, the allowance for credit losses on consumer loans decreased as a result of lower net charge-offs, principally in the Expresso of Westernbank division loans. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses in the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was mainly due to management’s strategy of stabilizing charge-offs as the division portfolio matures and its average yield continues to increase. For periods before 2005, the increases in the allowance for credit losses on consumer loans is mainly due to higher net charge-offs, principally in the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio.

As explained before, the Company has outstanding commercial loans to two mortgage originator groups in Puerto Rico. These commercial loans are collateralized by mortgages on real estate property, mainly one-to-four family residences. In the first quarter of 2005, as a result of the announcements by the mortgage originator groups of the need for them to restate their previously issued financial statements and other negative news, the Company decided to assign a general allowance to these loans. These commercial loans are nevertheless performing in accordance with their contractual terms. At December 31, 2006, these loans have an outstanding balance of $940.0 million and a general allowance of $4.2 million.

Loans are classified as impaired or not impaired in accordance with SFAS No. 114. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that Westernbank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due, according to the contractual terms of the agreement.

Westernbank measures the impairment of a loan based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, at the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. Significant loans (those exceeding $500,000 in 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, and $250,000 in 2002) are individually evaluated for impairment. Large groups of small balance, homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment; loans that are recorded at fair value or at the lower of cost or market are not evaluated for impairment. The portfolios of mortgage and consumer loans are considered homogeneous and are evaluated collectively for impairment.

Impaired loans for which the discounted cash flows, collateral value or market price exceeds its carrying value do not require an allowance. The allowance for impaired loans is part of the Company’s overall allowance for loan losses.

The following table sets forth information regarding the investment in impaired loans:


	2006		2005		2004		2003		2002
	(In thousands)
Investment in impaired loans:

Covered by a valuation allowance	$	139,498	$	32,542	$	29,975	$	28,217	$	26,074
Do not require a valuation allowance		22,174		49,069		24,200		22,088		24,515

Total	$	161,672	$	81,611	$	54,175	$	50,305	$	50,589


Valuation allowance for impaired loans	$	39,106	$	14,185	$	8,412	$	4,646	$	4,752


Average investment in impaired loans	$	120,147	$	61,113	$	46,509	$	46,676	$	46,147


Interest collected and recognized as income on impaired loans	$	5,815	$	4,044	$	2,460	$	2,452	$	4,041

At December 31, 2006, Westernbank’s investment in impaired loans increased by $80.1 million, from $81.6 million at December 31, 2005. The investment in impaired loans covered by a valuation allowance increased from $32.5 million at December 31, 2005, to $139.5 million at December 31, 2006, an increase of $107.0 million. This increase was mainly attributed to three loans of the Company’s asset-based lending division, with outstanding principal balances of $44.9 million, $40.5 million and $7.3 million at December 31, 2006. These loans are current and have not missed their payment schedules but have shortfalls in the collaterals and in the financial condition of the borrowers. These loans required valuation allowances at December 31, 2006 as follows: $11.4 million for the $44.9 million loan, $15.2 million for the $40.5 million loan and $2.5 million for the $7.3 million loan. The investment in impaired loans that did not require a valuation allowance decreased from $49.1 million at December 31, 2005 to $22.2 million at December 31, 2006, a decrease of $26.9 million. Such decrease was due to loans classified as impaired loans as of December 31, 2005, that were either collected or charged-off during the year ended December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2006, one borrower with five loans, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $8.4 million and one additional loan with an outstanding principal balance of $1.5 million were paid-off. None of these loans required a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2005.

At December 31, 2005, Westernbank’s investment in impaired loans increased by $27.4 million or 50.64%, from $54.2 million at December 31, 2004. The investment in impaired loans that did not require a valuation allowance increased from $24.2 million at December 31, 2004, to $49.1 million at December 31, 2005, an increase of $24.9 million. The $27.4 million increase was mainly attributed to one borrower with five commercial loans with an aggregate principal balance of $8.4 million, and four other commercial loans with outstanding principal balances between $1.0 million to $3.0 million, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $8.2 million. Also, at December 31, 2005, there were four additional commercial loans with outstanding principal balances between $500,000 to $1.0 million, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $2.6 million. All of these loans were collateralized with real estate.

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

The Company’s investments are managed by the Investment Department. Purchases and sales are required to be reported monthly to the Investment Committee (composed of members of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the President and Chief Investment Officer of the Company, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Westernbank, the Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer of Westernbank and the Chief Accounting Officer).

The Investment Department is authorized to purchase and sell federal funds, interest bearing deposits in banks, banker’s acceptances of commercial banks insured by the FDIC, mortgage and asset-backed securities, Puerto Rico and U.S. Government and agencies obligations, municipal securities rated A or better by any of the nationally recognized rating agencies, commercial paper and corporate notes rated P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or A-1 by Standard and Poor’s, a Division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. In addition, the Investment Department is responsible for the pricing and sale of deposits and repurchase agreements.

At the date of purchase, the Company classifies debt and equity securities into one of three categories: held to maturity; trading; or available for sale. At each reporting date, the appropriateness of the classification is reassessed. Investments in debt securities for which management has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and stated at cost increased by accretion of discounts and reduced by amortization of premiums, both computed by the interest method. Securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading and measured at fair value in the financial statements with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Securities not classified as either held to maturity or trading are classified as available for sale and measured at fair value in the financial statements with unrealized gains and losses reported, net of income tax, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined using the specific-identification method.

The Company’s investment strategy is affected by both the rates and terms available on competing investments and tax and other legal considerations.

Federal funds sold and resell agreements amounted to $360.2 million and $590.4 million, respectively, at December 31, 2006. Federal funds sold mature within the next two business days, while resell agreements mature as follows: $40.4 million the next business day, $200.0 million in 2009, and $350.0 million in 2010. The Company monitors the fair value of the underlying securities as compared to the related receivable of the resell agreement, including accrued interest, and requests additional collateral when the fair value of the underlying collateral falls below the collateral requirement. At December 31, 2006, the fair value of the underlying collateral for resell agreements amounted to $633.6 million.

The following table presents the carrying value of investments as of year end for each of the years indicated:


	2006		2005		2004
	(In thousands)
Held to maturity :
US Government and agencies obligations	$	6,314,091	$	6,314,316	$	6,004,849
Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations		11,663		31,824		34,822
Corporate notes		21,433		26,429		51,418
Mortgage-backed securities		660,392		701,456		830,290

Total		7,007,579		7,074,025		6,921,379

Available for sale:
Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations		18,050		—		—
Equity securities — common stock		2,491		4,981		—
Mortgage-backed securities		—		185		7,881

Total		20,541		5,166		7,881

Total investments	$	7,028,120	$	7,079,191	$	6,929,260

Mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, consist of:


	2006		2005		2004
			(In thousands)
Available for sale:
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO’s) issued or guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA)	$	—	$	185	$	6,116
CMO’s issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)		—		—		1,765

Total available for sale		—		185		7,881


Held to maturity:
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) certificates		7,140		8,082		9,881
FHLMC certificates		3,055		4,180		5,663
FNMA certificates		3,358		2,828		3,642
CMO’s certificates issued or guaranteed by FHLMC		573,735		607,659		706,632
CMO’s certificates issued or guaranteed by FNMA		73,104		78,707		104,441
CMO’s other		—		—		31

Total held to maturity		660,392		701,456		830,290

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities	$	660,392	$	701,641	$	838,171

At December 31, 2006, no investment of a single issuer (in aggregate balance) exceeded 10% of the Company’s consolidated stockholders’ equity.

The carrying amount of investment securities at December 31, 2006, by contractual maturity (excluding mortgage-backed securities), are shown below:


	Carrying		Weighted
	amount		average yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
US Government and agencies obligations:
Due within one year	$	379,602		4.48	%
Due after one year through five years		5,759,489		3.98
Due after five years through ten years		175,000		4.00

		6,314,091		4.01


Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations:
Due within one year		3,015		6.00
Due after one year through five years		18,111		4.20
Due after five years through ten years		8,587		4.89

		29,713		4.58


Other:
Due after ten years		21,433		8.33


Total		6,365,237		4.03

Mortgage-backed securities		660,392		4.26
Equity securities		2,491		2.21

Total	$	7,028,120		4.05	%

The Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2006, had an average contractual maturity of 31 months, when compared to an average maturity of 44 months at December 31, 2005. The Company’s interest rate risk model takes into consideration the callable feature of certain investment securities. Assuming that all call features are exercised, the Company’s investment portfolio as of December 31, 2006, had a remaining average contractual maturity of 5 months. Under the present interest rate scenario, no single security may be called. However, no assurance can be given that such levels will be maintained in future periods.

Available for sale and held to maturity securities are reviewed at least quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment. The review includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each individual investment such as the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below cost, the expectation for that security’s performance, the credit worthiness of the issuer and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value if classified as available for sale, or to maturity. A decline in value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recorded as a loss within noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income. During the quarter ended June 30, 2006, management concluded that certain held to maturity investments in Puerto Rico Government Obligations (“PRGO’s”), with an amortized cost of $21,615,000 were other-than-temporarily impaired and recorded an impairment loss of $1.1 million. These securities were downgraded by one notch below investment grade in May 2006. As a result of the downgrade just below investment grade of these PRGO’s, they were transferred to the available for sale category at their fair value of $20,552,000. In addition, during the quarter ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $750,000 on its equity securities available for sale.

The equity securities and corporate notes impairment analyses are performed and reviewed at least quarterly based on the latest financial information and any supporting research report made by major brokerage houses. These analyses are subjective and based, among other things, on relevant financial data such as capitalization, cash flows, liquidity, systematic risk, and debt outstanding. Management also considers the industry trends, the historical performance of the stock, as well as the Company’s intent to hold the security. If management believes there is a low probability of achieving book value in a reasonable time frame, then an impairment is recorded by writing down the security to fair value.

The Company’s investment portfolio as of December 31, 2006, consisted principally of U.S. Government and agencies obligations, Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations, and mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by FHLMC, FNMA or GNMA. There were no investment securities other than those referred to before in a significant unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2006. In addition, the Company does not have investments in residual tranches.

Except for the PRGO’s mentioned before, at December 31, 2006 and 2005, the significant unrealized loss position relates to interest rate changes and not to market or credit deterioration of any of the securities issuers. The Company assessed the ratings of the different agencies for the mortgage-backed securities, noting that all of them have maintained the highest rating by all the rating agencies and reflect a stable outlook. In addition, the held to maturity PRGO’s continue to be rated as investment grade as of December 31, 2006. Investment securities with prepayment provisions did not have significant unamortized premiums at December 31, 2006 and 2005. The aggregate unrealized gross losses of the investment securities available for sale and held to maturity amounted to $214.3 million and $224.9 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, a decrease of $10.6 million. As management has the ability and intent to hold debt securities until maturity, or for the foreseeable future, if classified as available for sale, no declines are deemed to be other-than-temporary at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

SOURCES OF FUNDS

GENERAL. Deposits, federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances and lines of credit are the primary sources of Westernbank’s funds for use in lending and for other general business purposes. In addition, Westernbank obtains funds in the form of loan repayments and income from operations and the maturities and repayments of securities. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while net increases in deposits and repurchase agreements are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions. Short-term borrowings from the FHLB of New York are used to compensate for reductions in normal sources of funds such as savings inflows at less than projected levels.

DEPOSITS. Westernbank offers a diversified choice of deposit accounts. Savings deposits decreased from $774.7 million as of December 31, 2005, to $728.9 million as of December 31, 2006, a decrease of $45.8 million or 5.92%. Other deposits represented mainly by time deposits, brokered deposits and Individual Retirement Account deposits (IRA’s), increased from $7.60 billion as of December 31, 2005, to $8.61 billion as of December 31, 2006, an increase of $1.01 billion or 13.25%. Other deposits include brokered deposits amounting to $6.72 billion and $5.98 billion as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These accounts have historically been a stable source of funds.

In connection with its asset/liability management, the Company uses brokered deposits since these deposits provide the flexibility of selecting short, medium and long term maturities to better match its asset/liability management strategies. Typically, brokered deposits tend to be highly rate-sensitive deposits, and therefore, these are considered under many circumstances to be an unstable source of funding for an institution as compared to deposits generated primarily in a bank’s local markets. Brokered deposits come primarily from brokers that provide intermediary services for banks and investors, therefore providing banks, such as Westernbank, increased access to a broad range of potential depositors who have no relationship with Westernbank and who actively seek the highest returns offered within the financial industry. However, due to the competitive market for deposits in Puerto Rico, coupled with generally low interest rates in the United States, the rates paid by Westernbank on these deposits are often lower than those paid for local market area retail deposits. The Puerto Rico deposit market is more challenging than the deposit market on the U.S. mainland. Puerto Rico has a relatively stable population base, a number of very competitive local banks looking to expand, and a large proportion of citizens that do not have bank accounts. Also, the difference between the tax rate on interest earned from bank deposits, versus the much lower tax rate on returns from investments held in local mutual funds, preferred stock and local GNMAs makes those other investments more attractive than deposits to some investors. These dynamics present significant challenges for gathering and retaining local retail deposits. The result is a high cost local deposits market. The Company believes that the benefits of brokered deposits outweigh the risk of deposits instability.

At December 31, 2006, Westernbank had total deposits of $9.34 billion, of which $728.9 million or 7.81% consisted of savings deposits, $274.5 million or 2.94% consisted of interest bearing demand deposits, $373.6 million or 4.00% consisted of noninterest bearing deposits, and $7.96 billion or 85.25% consisted of time deposits. Westernbank also offers negotiable order of withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts, Super Now accounts, special checking accounts and commercial demand accounts.

At December 31, 2006, the scheduled maturities of time deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more are as follows:


	(In thousands)

3 months or less	$	206,827
over 3 months through 6 months		83,502
over 6 months through 12 months		98,498
over 12 months		92,225

Total	$	481,052

The following table sets forth the average amount and the average rate paid on the following deposit categories for the years ended December 31:


	2006					2005					2004
	Average		Average			Average		Average			Average		Average
	amount		rate			amount		rate			amount		rate
	(Dollars in thousands)

Time deposits	$	7,305,932		4.72	%	$	6,004,119		3.64	%	$	4,630,244		3.12	%
Savings deposits		755,800		2.06	%		802,994		2.09	%		784,589		2.14	%
Interest bearing demand deposits		279,886		2.08	%		200,804		2.88	%		200,190		2.63	%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits		429,913		—			368,688		—			306,710		—

	$	8,771,531		4.17	%	$	7,376,605		3.27	%	$	5,921,733		2.81	%

BORROWINGS

The following table sets forth the borrowings of the Company at the dates indicated:


	December 31,
	2006		2005		2004
	(In thousands)

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements (1)	$	6,320,481	$	6,260,029	$	6,683,527
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)		127,000		172,000		211,000
Mortgage note payable		35,968		36,432		36,858

	$	6,483,449	$	6,468,461	$	6,931,385


(1)		Federal funds purchased amounted to $75.0 million at December 31, 2004, at a weighted average interest rate of 2.37%, and mature the next business day. No such borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

Westernbank has made use of institutional federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements in order to obtain funding, primarily through investment banks and brokerage firms. Repurchase agreements are collateralized with investment securities while federal funds purchased do not require collateral. Westernbank had $6.32 billion in repurchase agreements outstanding at December 31, 2006, at a weighted average interest rate of 4.96%. Repurchase agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2006, mature as follows: $1.07 billion within 30 days; $651.6 million within 31 days to one year; $1.49 billion in 2008; $1.24 billion in 2009; $1.21 billion in 2010; and $657.7 million thereafter.

Westernbank also obtains advances from FHLB of New York. As of December 31, 2006, Westernbank had $127.0 million in outstanding FHLB advances at a weighted average interest rate of 5.54%. Advances from FHLB mature as follows: $25.0 million within 30 days; $60.0 million within 31 days to one year; and $42.0 million in 2010.

At December 31, 2006, with respect to repurchase agreements amounting to $3.42 billion, the counterparties have the option to terminate the agreements at the first anniversary date and each interest payment date thereafter. Also, with respect to repurchase agreements and advances from FHLB amounting to $380.0 million at December 31, 2006, at the first anniversary date and each quarter thereafter, the FHLB has the option to convert them into replacement funding for the same or a lesser principal amount based on any funding then offered by FHLB at the then current market rates, unless the interest rate has been predetermined between FHLB and the Company. If the Company chooses not to replace the FHLB’s funding, it will repay the convertible advances and repurchase agreements, including any accrued interest, on such optional conversion date.

At December 31, 2006, Westernbank World Plaza, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westernbank Puerto Rico, had outstanding $36.0 million of a mortgage note, at an interest rate of 8.05% per year up to September 11, 2009. Subsequent to September 11, 2009, the mortgage note will bear interest on the then outstanding principal balance at a rate per year equal to the greater of 13.05% or the Treasury Rate plus five percentage points; or 10.05%, depending on the fulfillment of certain conditions on the repricing date. Westernbank World Plaza has a prepayment option on the repricing date, without penalty. The mortgage note is collateralized by a 23-story office building, including its related parking facility, located in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

A summary of short-term borrowings, including federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and advances from Federal Home Loan Bank, and interest rates at and for the years ended December 31, are indicated below:


	2006			2005			2004
	(Dollars in thousands)
Federal funds purchased:
Balance at end of year	$	—		$	—		$	75,029
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		—			—			2.37	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	3,077		$	8,851		$	23,753
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.69	%		2.43	%		1.95	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	40,000		$	40,039		$	95,005

Repurchase agreements:
Balance at end of year	$	1,070,582		$	1,545,725		$	4,138,257
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.33	%		4.34	%		2.30	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	1,731,600		$	2,377,629		$	2,377,042
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.97	%		3.03	%		1.67	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	2,282,650		$	3,514,422		$	4,206,540

Advances from FHLB:
Balance at end of year	$	25,000		$	50,000		$	25,000
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.43	%		4.45	%		2.41	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	33,462		$	21,923		$	21,250
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		5.01	%		3.49	%		1.65	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	50,000		$	50,000		$	50,000

Total short-term borrowings:
Balance at end of year	$	1,095,582		$	1,595,725		$	4,238,286
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.33	%		4.34	%		2.30	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	1,768,139		$	2,408,403		$	2,422,045
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.97	%		3.03	%		1.67	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	2,322,650		$	3,579,461		$	4,238,286

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. As part of the Company’s asset/liability management, the Company uses interest-rate contracts, which include interest-rate exchange agreements (swaps), and option agreements, to hedge various exposures or to modify interest rate characteristics of various statement of financial condition items.

The Company accounts for its derivatives under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. This Standard requires recognition of all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial condition and requires measurement of those instruments at fair value through adjustments to either accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) or current earnings or both, as appropriate. The Company designates derivative instruments as either a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge or as a derivative instrument not designated as a hedge. For a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment attributable to the hedged risk are recorded in current period net income. For a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument, to the extent that it is effective, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified to net income in the same period(s) that the hedged transaction impacts net income. For all hedging relationships, derivative gains and losses that are not effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current period net income. Similarly, the changes in fair value of derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133 are also reported in current period net income, in noninterest income.

The net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. The net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in noninterest income within net gain (loss) on derivative instruments.

The Company formally documents the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivative instruments that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the statement of financial condition or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions along with a formal assessment at both inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis as to the effectiveness of the derivative instrument in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is or will no longer be effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires, is sold, or terminated, or management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate.

When hedge accounting is discontinued, the future gains and losses arising from any change in fair value of the derivative are recorded as noninterest income. When a fair value hedge is discontinued, the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value and the existing basis adjustment is amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the asset or liability. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transaction is still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized or accreted into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions would have affected earnings.

The fair values of the indexed option contracts and the interest rate swaps used to manage the exposure to the stock market were obtained from dealer quotes. In the case of other interest rate swaps, the fair values were obtained using an independent valuation model and periodically compared to dealer quotes. The fair values produced by this proprietary valuation model are in part theoretical and therefore can vary between derivative dealers and are not necessarily reflective of the actual price at which the contract could be traded. Small changes in assumptions can result in significant changes in valuation. The risks inherent in the determination of the fair value of a derivative may result in income statement volatility.

Certain contracts contain embedded derivatives. When the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract, it is bifurcated from the host contract and carried at fair value.

The Company maintains an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings and cash flows caused by interest rate volatility. The Company’s interest rate risk management strategy may involve modifying the repricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities so that changes in interest rates do not adversely affect the net interest margin and cash flows. Derivative instruments that the Company may use as part of its interest rate risk management strategy include interest rate swaps and indexed options. These transactions involve both credit and market risk. The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments and the value of the derivative are based. Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures. Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any. The fair value of a derivative is based on the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the derivative contract, taking into account the current interest rates and the creditworthiness of the counterparty. The fair value of the derivatives is reflected on the Company’s statements of financial condition as derivative assets and derivative liabilities.

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to these agreements. The Company controls the credit risk of its financial contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures, and does not expect any counterparties to fail their obligations. The Company deals only with primary dealers.

Derivative instruments are generally negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”) contracts. Negotiated OTC derivatives are generally entered into between two counterparties that negotiate specific agreement terms, including the underlying instrument, amount, exercise price and maturity.

The Company enters into interest-rate swap contracts in managing its interest rate exposure. Interest-rate swap contracts generally involve the exchange of fixed and floating-rate interest payment obligations without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts. Entering into interest-rate swap contracts involves not only the risk of dealing with counterparties and their ability to meet the terms of the contracts, but also the interest rate risk associated with unmatched positions. Interest rate swaps are the most common type of derivative contracts that the Company utilizes.

Indexed options are contracts that the Company enters into in order to receive the average appreciation of the month end value of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index over a specified period in exchange for the payment of a premium when the contract is initiated. The credit risk inherent in the indexed options is the risk that the exchange party may default.

The Company utilizes interest rate swaps (“CD Swaps”) to convert a portion of its fixed-rate brokered certificates of deposit (“CDs”) (liabilities) or firm commitments to originate fixed-rate brokered CDs to a variable rate. The purpose of entering into these CD swaps is to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of certain brokered CDs or firm commitments to originate brokered CDs attributable to changes in the LIBOR rate (interest rate risk). The hedged brokered CDs are typically structured with terms of 3 to 20 years with a call option on the Company’s part, but no surrender option for the CD holder, other than for death or disability. The extended term of the brokered CDs minimizes liquidity risk while the option to call the CDs after the first year provides the Company with funding flexibility.

On January 3, 2006, the Company redesignated most of its CD Swaps relating to certain CDs utilizing the “long-haul” method of SFAS No. 133 and completed new contemporaneous hedging documentation. In cases in which the hedging relationship is effective, the changes in the fair value of both the hedged items (the CDs) and the interest rate swaps are recorded through earnings. At December 31, 2006, the notional amount of these CD Swaps and the principal balance of the hedged CDs amounted to $516,020,000.

The Company offers its customers certificates of deposit which contain an embedded derivative tied to the performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index that is bifurcated from the host deposit and recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition in accordance with SFAS No. 133. At the end of five years, the depositor will receive a specified percent of the average increase of the month-end value of the stock index. If such index decreases, the depositor receives the principal without any interest. The Company uses option and interest rate swap agreements with major broker dealer companies to manage its exposure to the stock market. Under the option agreements, the Company will receive the average increase in the month-end value of the index in exchange for the payment of a premium when the contract is initiated. Under the terms of the swap agreements, the Company also will receive the average increase in the month-end value of the index in exchange for a quarterly fixed interest cost. Since the embedded derivative instrument on the certificates of deposit and the option and interest rate swap agreements do not qualify for hedge accounting, these derivative instruments are marked to market through earnings.

See Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements for a detail of derivative transactions, included herein in Part II, Item 8.

Off-balance sheet credit related financial instruments — In the ordinary course of business, Westernbank enters into off-balance sheet credit related financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, commitments under credit-card arrangements and standby and commercial letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they are funded or related fees are incurred or received. Westernbank periodically evaluates the credit risks inherent in these commitments, and standby and commercial letters of credit, and establishes loss allowances for such risks if and when these are deemed necessary. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, Westernbank did not record any loss allowances in connection with risks involved in off-balance sheet instruments. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, there were no additional off-balance sheet credit related financial instruments other than those mentioned above.

YIELDS EARNED AND RATES PAID

The net income of the Company depends primarily upon the difference or spread between the interest income received on its interest-earning assets and the interest paid on its interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $318.8 million, an increase of $7.2 million or 2.32%, from $311.6 million for the prior year. The increase in 2006 was the result of increases in interest income from loans and from investment securities, mainly in tax-exempt securities, which was partially offset by increases in interest expense on deposits and on federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2005, was $311.6 million, an increase of $34.4 million or 12.42%, from $277.2 million for the prior year. The increase in 2005 was the result of increases in interest income from loans, investment securities, mainly in tax-exempt securities, and money market instruments, which was partially offset by increases in interest expense on deposits, on federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements and on advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the total dollar amount of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resultant yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates, as well as in a normal and tax equivalent basis. Average balances are daily monthly average balances. The yield on the securities portfolio is based on average amortized cost balances and does not give effect to changes in fair value that are reflected as a component of consolidated stockholders’ equity for investment securities available for sale.


	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
	2006								2005								2004
			Average			Average					Average			Average					Average			Average
	Interest		balance (1)			Yield / Rate			Interest		balance (1)			Yield / Rate			Interest		balance (1)			Yield / Rate
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Normal Spread:
Interest-earning assets:
Loans, including loan fees (2)	$	671,530	$	8,308,353			8.08	%	$	479,042	$	6,986,626			6.86	%	$	322,164	$	5,401,955			5.96	%
Investment securities (3)		261,971		6,519,398			4.02			247,533		6,267,159			3.95			212,213		5,400,997			3.93
Mortgage-backed securities (4)		28,489		632,792			4.50			32,321		752,839			4.29			37,489		935,421			4.01
Money market instruments		38,235		845,375			4.52			36,433		950,980			3.83			19,510		745,828			2.62

Total		1,000,225		16,305,918			6.13			795,329		14,957,604			5.32			591,376		12,484,201			4.74


Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits		366,063		8,771,531			4.17			241,268		7,376,605			3.27			166,237		5,921,733			2.81
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		307,463		6,290,818			4.89			234,791		6,398,451			3.67			141,414		5,676,595			2.49
Advances from FHLB		7,893		147,780			5.34			7,688		184,153			4.17			6,568		164,245			4.00

Total		681,419		15,210,129			4.48			483,747		13,959,209			3.47			314,219		11,762,573			2.67


Net interest income	$	318,806							$	311,582							$	277,157

Interest rate spread							1.65	%							1.85	%							2.07	%

Net interest-earning assets			$	1,095,789							$	998,395							$	721,628

Net yield on interest-earning assets (5)							1.96	%							2.08	%							2.22	%

Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities				107.20	%							107.15	%							106.13	%


Tax Equivalent Spread:
Interest-earning assets	$	1,000,225	$	16,305,918			6.13	%	$	795,329	$	14,957,604			5.32	%	$	591,376	$	12,484,201			4.74	%
Tax equivalent adjustment		16,502		—			0.11			41,305		—			0.27			53,555		—			0.43

Interest-earning assets - tax equivalent		1,016,727		16,305,918			6.24			836,634		14,957,604			5.59			644,931		12,484,201			5.17


Interest-bearing liabilities		681,419	$	15,210,129			4.48			483,747	$	13,959,209			3.47			314,219	$	11,762,573			2.67

Net interest income	$	335,308							$	352,887							$	330,712

Interest rate spread							1.76	%							2.12	%							2.50	%

Net yield on interest- earning assets (5)							2.06	%							2.36	%							2.65	%


(1)		Average balance on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is

		computed using daily monthly average balances during the periods.

(2)		Average loans exclude non-performing loans. Loans fees, net amounted to $16.3 million for each of the years

		ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, and $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

(3)		Includes available for sale securities.

(4)		Includes trading and available for sale securities.

(5)		Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

The following table presents the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for the major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and distinguishes between the increase (decrease) related to changes in outstanding balances and changes in interest rates.


	Year ended December 31,
	2006 vs. 2005									2005 vs. 2004
	Volume			Rate			Total				Volume			Rate			Total
	(In thousands)
Interest income:
Loans	$	98,956		$	93,532		$	192,488			$	103,874		$	53,004		$	156,878
Investment securities (1)		10,084			4,354			14,438				34,205			1,115			35,320
Mortgage-backed securities (2)		(5,515	)		1,683			(3,832	)			(8,138	)		2,970			(5,168	)
Money market instruments		(4,324	)		6,126			1,802				6,294			10,629			16,923

Total increase in interest income		99,201			105,695			204,896				136,235			67,718			203,953

Interest expense:
Deposits		50,744			74,051			124,795				44,875			30,156			75,031
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		(3,880	)		76,552			72,672				19,785			73,592			93,377
Advances from FHLB		(495	)		700			205				822			298			1,120

Total increase in interest expense		46,369			151,303			197,672				65,482			104,046			169,528

Increase (decrease) in net interest income	$	52,832		$	(45,608	)	$	7,224			$	70,753		$	(36,328	)	$	34,425


(1)		Includes available for sale securities.

(2)		Includes trading and available for sale securities.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain ratios reflecting the productivity and profitability of the Company:


	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, (1)
	2006			2005			2004

Return on assets (2)		0.60	%		1.07	%		1.33	%
Return on common stockholders’ equity (3)		9.36			20.53			28.79
Dividend payout ratio to common stockholders (4)		49.10			24.25			16.24
Equity-to-asset ratio (5)		7.27			7.45			7.36


(1)		Averages computed using beginning and period-end balances.

(2)		Net income divided by average total assets.

(3)		Income available to common stockholders divided by average common stockholders’ equity.

(4)		Common stockholders’ dividend declared divided by income available to common stockholders.

(5)		Average equity divided by average total assets.

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, MARKET AREA AND COMPETITION

Puerto Rico (the “Island”), a Commonwealth of the United States of America (the “U.S.”), is the easternmost of the Greater Antilles and the fourth largest island of the Caribbean. The Island is located at the crossroads between North and South America, at just 3.5 hours airtime from New York and 60 minutes from Venezuela and has a population of approximately four (4) million people. In 1917, the people of Puerto Rico became citizens of the U.S., and therefore Puerto Ricans serve in the United States Armed Forces. As in the U.S., the Island has a local judicial system. The Island constitutes a District in the Federal Judiciary and has its own U.S. district court. Also, most of the U.S. federal agencies are represented on the Island. However, the Island has its own Internal Revenue system and is not subject to U.S. taxes. Spanish and English are the official languages of the Island.

The Island uses U.S. currency and forms part of the U.S. financial system. As a Commonwealth of the U.S., the Island falls within the U.S. for purposes of customs and migration, and therefore there is a full exchange of funds, people and goods between the Island and the U.S. Puerto Rico banks are subject to the same Federal laws, regulations and supervision as those of the financial institutions operating in the rest of U.S. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures the deposits of Puerto Rico chartered commercial banks, including Westernbank, the banking subsidiary of W Holding Company, Inc.

The Island economy operates as a region within the U.S., and therefore factors affecting the US economy usually have a significant impact on the performance of Island economy. These include exports, direct investment, the amount of federal transfer payments, the level of interest rates, the level of oil prices, the rate of inflation, and tourist expenditures. In the past, the economy of the Island has generally followed economic trends in the overall U.S. economy. However, in recent years economic growth in Puerto Rico has lagged behind growth in the U.S.

The economy of the Island is mainly driven by the manufacturing and service sectors. The manufacturing sector has experienced positive and negative changes over the past years as a result of increased emphasis on higher wage, high technology industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, computers, microprocessors, professional and scientific instruments, and certain high technology machinery and equipment; in addition to the reduction of tax incentives. In recent years, the service sector also has played a major role in the economy, leading all sectors in providing employment.

In 2006, the Island economy continued its trend of decreasing growth, primarily due to weaker manufacturing, softer consumption and decreased government investment in construction. Considerable declines were recorded during year 2006 in the local manufacturing sector. Three important points for the manufacturing sector (jobs, hours worked and payroll) pointed toward the continued weakening of local manufacturing activity. During 2006, the manufacturing sector lost approximately 5,600 jobs in comparison with figures reported in 2005, for a decrease of 5.0%, although many multinational corporations continue to have substantial operations in the Island. As in year 2005, the construction sector, a historical backbone of the Island economy, remained relatively weak during year 2006, as the combination of rising interest rates, the Commonwealth’s fiscal situation and decreasing public investment in construction projects affected the sector. The value of construction permits during the year ended December 31, 2006 declined by approximately 23.2% when compared to 2005, with most of the drop coming from the public sector. The multiplier effect of a decrease in capital investment has been already felt in other areas of the Island economy, with the banking sector one of the most affected.

The banking sector has been historically the financial support for all the industrial and commercial activity on the Island. At December 31, 2006, there were approximately twelve (12) banks operating in Puerto Rico, with total assets, loans and deposits of approximately $95.39 billion, $60.23 billion and $56.80 billion, respectively. U.S. banks, foreign banks and the major Puerto Rican banks all offer commercial banking services designed to support the emerging requirements of their local clients as well as of their international clients. The economic strength and liquidity of local financial institutions, considered the pillar of the Island’s economy, have allowed the Puerto Rico banking sector to extend credit, without which the Island’s economy could not be sustained. The growing combination of loans, deposits and assets has been the key to the economic progress for the past years. Loans, in particular, have played a key role in keeping the Island economy afloat, through either personal, mortgage or commercial loans.

Other economic indicators for year 2006 showed additional signals of weakness, as the Island unemployment rate, which has been historically higher than the average U.S. unemployment rate, stands at 10% at December 31, 2006, since although the number of jobs was increasing; the workforce was growing at a faster tempo. The rate of participation in the Island workforce has been estimated in approximately 47.5%. The Puerto Rico Gross Domestic Product remained unchanged in fiscal year 2006. The increase in the consumer price index in year 2006 was approximately 12.0%.

Tourism is the one sector that has been resilient. Activity in the sector has expanded consistently since 2004, and in the year ended December 31, 2006 it registered the strongest increase in four years. Factors that may be boosting the tourism sector are geo-political tensions throughout the world and a relative stable U.S. economy.

Current Fiscal Situation

During 2005 and 2006, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico considered several alternatives for a comprehensive tax and fiscal reform. On July 4, 2006, the Puerto Rico legislature approved legislation amending the PR Code to provide, among other things, for a general sales and use tax of 5.5%, a municipal sales and use tax of 1.5% and certain tax relief measures to be implemented as part of the tax reform. Although the tax and fiscal reforms have been adopted, there is no assurance that such measures will generate the projected revenues or savings. It is impossible for the Company to predict the impact that the current fiscal situation of the Commonwealth will have on the Island economy and thus on the Company’s results of operations.

Rating Downgrades on the Government of Puerto Rico’s Debt Obligations

Even though the Island economy is closely integrated to that of the U.S. mainland and its government and many of its instrumentalities are investment-grade rated borrowers in the U.S. capital markets, the current fiscal situation of the Island has led nationally recognized rating agencies to downgrade its debt obligations.

In May 2006, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the Government’s general obligation bond rating to Baa3 from Baa2, and put the credit on “watch list” for possible further downgrades. The Commonwealth’s appropriation bonds and some of the subordinated revenue bonds were also downgraded by one notch and are now rated just below investment grade at Ba1. Moody’s commented that this action reflects the Government’s strained financial condition, the ongoing political conflict and lack of agreement regarding the measures necessary to end the government’s multi-year trend of financial deterioration. Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) still rates the Government’s general obligations two notches above junk at BBB, and the Commonwealth’s appropriation bonds and some of the subordinated revenue bonds BBB-, a category that continues to be investment-grade rated.

In July 2006, S&P and Moody’s affirmed their credit ratings on the Commonwealth debt, and removed the debt from their respective watch lists, thus reducing the possibility of an immediate additional downgrade. These actions resulted after the Government approved the budget for the fiscal year 2007, which runs from July 2006 through June 2007, which included the adoption of a new sales tax. Revenues from the sales tax will be dedicated primarily to fund the government’s operating expenses, and to a lesser extent, to repay government debt and fund local municipal governments.

Both rating agencies maintained the negative outlook for the Puerto Rico obligation bonds. Factors such as the government’s ability to implement meaningful steps to curb operating expenditures, improve managerial and budgetary controls, and eliminate the government’s reliance on operating budget loans from the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico will be key determinants of future rating stability and restoration of a stable long-term outlook. Also, the inability to agree on future fiscal year Commonwealth budgets could result in ratings pressure from the rating agencies.

It is uncertain how the financial markets may react to any potential future ratings downgrade in Puerto Rico’s debt obligations. However, the fallout from recent budgetary crisis and a possible ratings downgrade could adversely affect the value of Puerto Rico’s Government obligations.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2006, management concluded that certain held to maturity investments in Puerto Rico Government Obligations (“PRGO’s”), with an amortized cost of $21,615,000 were other-than-temporarily impaired and recorded an impairment loss of $1.1 million. These securities were downgraded by one notch below investment grade in May 2006. As a result of the downgrade just below investment grade of these PRGO’s, they were transferred to the available for sale category at their fair value of $20,552,000.

EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2006, the Company had 1,363 full-time employees, including its executive officers. The Company considers its employee relations to be excellent.

REGULATION

The Company is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), that has elected to become a financial holding company. The Company is subject to the regulation, supervision, and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”). The Company is required to file periodic reports and other information with the FRB and the FRB may conduct examinations of the Company. Westernbank is subject to the regulation, supervision and examination of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Puerto Rico Commissioner of Financial Institutions (the “Puerto Rico Commissioner”) and, as to certain matters, the FRB. Westernbank Insurance Corp. is subject to the regulation, supervision, and examination of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico.

FEDERAL REGULATION. The Company is subject to capital adequacy guidelines of the FRB. The guidelines apply on a consolidated basis and generally require bank holding companies to maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total average assets of at least 4.0%. There is a minimum ratio of 3.0% established for the most highly rated bank holding companies. The FRB’s capital adequacy guidelines also require bank holding companies to maintain a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.0% and a minimum ratio of qualifying total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%. The Company’s ability to pay dividends to its stockholders and other activities can be restricted if its capital falls below levels established by the FRB’s guidelines. In addition, any bank holding company whose capital falls below levels specified in the guidelines can be required to implement a plan to increase capital. As of December 31, 2006, the Company’s ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets was 7.23%, its ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 11.47%, and its ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets was 12.51%.

Under the guidelines for qualifying total capital, at least half of the total capital is to be comprised of Tier 1 Capital. Tier 1 capital generally consists of common stock, retained earnings, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, qualifying trust preferred securities and minority interests in certain subsidiaries, less any amounts of goodwill, other intangible assets, interest-only strips receivables, deferred tax asset, nonfinancial equity investments, and other items that are required to be deducted under FRB guidelines. The remainder may consist of supplementary capital elements, including subordinated debt, other preferred stock and loan and lease loss reserves, all subject to various qualifications and limitations (“Tier 2 Capital”). With respect to risk-based and leverage capital ratios, most intangibles, including core deposit intangibles, are deducted from Tier 1 Capital. The regulations, however, permit the inclusion of a limited amount of intangibles related to originated and purchased mortgage servicing rights and purchased credit card relationships and include a “grandfathered” provision permitting inclusion of certain existing intangibles.

Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), the federal banking regulators must take prompt corrective action with respect to depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies. The FDICIA and the regulations issued thereunder established five capital tiers: (i) “well capitalized”, if a depository institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or more, has a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or more, has a Tier I leverage capital ratio of 5.0% or more, and is not subject to any written capital order or directive; (ii) “adequately capitalized”, if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or more, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or more and a Tier I leverage capital ratio of 4.0% or more (3.0% under certain circumstances) and does not meet the definition of “well capitalized”, (iii) “undercapitalized”, if it has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier I risk-based ratio that is less than 4.0% or a Tier I leverage capital ratio that is less than 4.0% (3.0% under certain circumstances), (iv) “significantly undercapitalized”, if it has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 6.0%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio that is less than 3.0% or a Tier I leverage capital ratio that is less than 3.0%, and (v) “critically undercapitalized”, if it has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%. Generally, a depository institution may be deemed to be in a capitalization category that is lower than is indicated by its actual capital position if it received a less than satisfactory examination rating at its most recent examination and did not subsequently address the examiner’s concerns or if its primary federal regulator determines, after notice and the opportunity for a hearing, that the depository institution’s condition is unsafe or unsound. As of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, December 31, 2006, Westernbank was well capitalized, with a ratio of Tier I capital to average assets of 6.81%, a ratio of Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets of 10.77%, and a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 11.81%.

FDICIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution (including the payment of a dividend) or paying any management fees to its holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. Undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to restrictions on borrowings from the Federal Reserve System. In addition, undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit capital restoration plans. A depository institution’s holding company must guarantee

the capital plan, up to an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the depository institution’s assets at the time it becomes undercapitalized or the amount of the capital deficiency when the institution fails to comply with the plan. The federal banking agencies may not accept a capital plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. Significantly undercapitalized depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets, and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. Critically undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.

Failure to meet the capital guidelines could subject an institution to a variety of enforcement remedies, including the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, and to certain restrictions on its business. At December 31, 2006, the Company and Westernbank were in compliance with all capital requirements. For more information, refer to Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, included in Part II, Item 8.

DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS. The principal source of funds of the Company is dividends from Westernbank. The ability of Westernbank to pay dividends on its common stock is restricted by the Puerto Rico Banking Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”) and FDIC regulations. In general terms, the Puerto Rico Banking Act provides that when the expenditures of a bank are greater than receipts, the excess of expenditures over receipts shall be charged against the undistributed profits of the bank and the balance, if any, shall be charged against the required reserve fund of the bank. If there is no sufficient reserve fund to cover such balance in whole or in part, the outstanding amount shall be charged against the bank’s capital account. The Puerto Rico Banking Act provides that until said capital has been restored to its original amount and the reserve fund restored to 20% of the original capital, the bank may not declare any dividends. In general terms, the FDIA and the FDIC regulations restrict the payment of dividends when a bank is undercapitalized, when a bank has failed to pay insurance assessments, or when there are safety and soundness concerns regarding a bank.

The payment of dividends by Westernbank may also be affected by other regulatory requirements and policies, such as maintenance of adequate capital. If, in the opinion of the regulatory authority, a depository institution under its jurisdiction is engaged in, or is about to engage in, an unsafe or unsound practice, which depending on the financial condition of the depository institution, could include the payment of dividends, such authority may require, after notice and hearing, that such depository institution cease and desist from such practice. The FRB has issued a policy statement that provides that bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of operating earnings for the current and preceding two years. In addition, all insured depository institutions are subject to the capital-based limitations required by FDICIA.

ACQUISITIONS AND CHANGE OF CONTROL. FRB approval is required if the Company seeks to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of a bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, the Company would own or control directly or indirectly more than 5% of the voting stock of the bank or bank holding company. FRB approval also must be obtained if the Company seeks to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of a bank or merges or consolidates with another bank holding company.

The Company is required to give the FRB prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, will be equal to 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net worth. The FRB may disapprove any purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, order or directive of the FRB, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the FRB. Such notice and approval is not required for a bank holding company that would be, both before and after the purchase or redemption, considered “well capitalized” under applicable regulations of the FRB, that received a rating of “1” or “2” overall and for management at its most recent examination, and that is not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any redemption of the Company’s preferred stocks will require the prior approval of the FRB.

PUERTO RICO BANKING LAW. Westernbank is a bank chartered under the Puerto Rico Banking Law. Westernbank must file reports with the Puerto Rico Commissioner and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, and it must obtain regulatory approval prior to entering into certain transactions, such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions and opening or acquiring branch offices. The Puerto Rico Commissioner and the FDIC conduct periodic examinations to assess Westernbank’s compliance with various regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision is intended primarily for the protection of the deposit insurance funds and depositors. The regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with the exercise of their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the setting of policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes.

Westernbank derives its lending, investment and other powers primarily from the applicable provisions of the Puerto Rico Banking Law and the regulations adopted thereunder. That law governs the responsibilities of directors, officers and stockholders, and the corporate powers, savings, lending, capital and investment requirements and other activities of Westernbank. The Puerto Rico Commissioner has extensive rulemaking power and administrative discretion under the Puerto Rico Banking Law, and generally examines Westernbank on an annual basis.

The Puerto Rico Banking Act requires that at least 10% of the yearly net income of Westernbank be credited annually to a reserve fund. This must be done every year until the reserve fund is equal to the total paid-in capital for common stock and preferred stock or 10% of total deposits. At December 31, 2006, Westernbank had an adequate reserve fund established. The Puerto Rico Banking Law also provides that when the expenditures of a bank are greater than the receipts, the excess is charged against the undistributed profits of the bank, and the balance, if any, is charged against and reduces the reserve fund. If there is no reserve fund sufficient to cover the entire amount, the excess amount is charged against the capital account and no dividend can be declared until the capital has been restored to its original amount and the reserve fund to 20% of the original capital.

Under the Puerto Rico Banking Act, Westernbank must maintain a legal reserve in an amount equal to at least 20% of Westernbank’s demand liabilities, except certain government deposits. At December 31, 2006, Westernbank had a legal reserve of 490.27%.

The Puerto Rico Finance Board (the “Finance Board”), which includes as its members the Puerto Rico Commissioner, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Consumer Affairs, the President of the Economic Development Bank, the President of the Government Development Bank and the President of the Planning Board, has the authority to regulate maximum interest rates and finance charges that may be charged on loans to individuals and unincorporated businesses in Puerto Rico. The current regulations of the Finance Board provide that the applicable interest rate on loans to individuals and unincorporated businesses, including real estate loans, is to be determined by free competition. In addition, the current regulations of the Finance Board do not set a maximum interest rate for retail sales installment contracts, for credit card purchases and for installment sales contracts involving motor vehicles, commercial, agricultural and industrial equipment, commercial electric appliances, and insurance premiums.

Under Puerto Rico law, no person or company may acquire direct or indirect control of a bank or a bank holding company without first obtaining the prior approval of the Puerto Rico Commissioner. Control is defined to mean the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or decisively influence the management or the operations of the bank or the bank holding company. Control is presumed to exist if a person or entity, or group acting in concert, would become the owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 5% of the voting stock of the bank or the bank holding company as a result of the transfer of voting stock, and such person, entity or group did not own more than 5% of the voting stock prior to the transfer.

FDIC DEPOSIT INSURANCE. Westernbank is subject to FDIC deposit insurance assessments. On February 8, 2006 the President signed the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (the “Reform Act”). The Reform Act provides for the merger of the Bank Insurance Fund (“BIF”) and the Savings Association Fund (“SAIF”) into a single Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) increases the maximum amount of the insurance coverage for certain retirement accounts and possible “inflation adjustments” in the maximum amount of coverage available with respect to other insured accounts, and gave the FDIC more discretion to price deposit insurance according to risk for all insured institutions regardless of the level of the level of the fund reserve ratio. On November 2, 2006, the FDIC promulgated final regulations implementing a revised risk-based assessment system based on the greater discretion given to the FDIC under the Reform Act (“FDIC Assessment Rule”).

Pursuant to the FDIC Assessment rule, assessment rates for an insured depository institution continue to vary based on the level of risk incurred in its activities. The FDIC Assessment Rule establishes four risk categories. An institution’s risk category is based partly upon whether the institution is well capitalized, adequately capitalized or less than adequately capitalized. Each insured institution is also assigned to one of three supervisory subgroups. Subgroup “A” institutions are financially sound institutions with only a few minor weaknesses; subgroup “B” institutions are institutions that demonstrate weaknesses that, if not corrected, could result in significant deterioration; and subgroup “C” institutions are institutions with respect to which there is a substantial probability that the FDIC will suffer a loss in connection with the institution unless corrective action is taken to correct the areas of weakness. Well-capitalized and well-managed banks are generally assigned to risk category I, while undercapitalized banks in supervisory subgroup “C” are generally assigned to risk category IV. Within risk category I, the FDIC Assessment rule combines supervisory ratings with other measures, such as measuring certain financial ratios or looking to long-term debt issuer ratings, to further differentiate risk and the pricing of deposit insurance coverage.

Well-capitalized and well managed banks, including the Company’s bank subsidiaries, have paid no premiums for FDIC insurance in recent years. However, under the FDIC Assessment Rule beginning in 2007, premiums related to deposits assessed by the DIF are to be assessed at an annual rate of between 5 basis points and 7 basis points of deposits for institutions in risk category I, and up to 43 basis points of deposits for institutions in risk category IV. As part of the Reform Act, Congress provided credits to institutions that paid high premiums in the past to bolster the FDIC’s insurance reserves.

FDIC insurance on deposits may be terminated by the FDIC, after notice and hearing, upon a finding by the FDIC that the insured bank has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, or is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations as an insured bank, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule or order of or condition imposed by or written agreement entered into with the FDIC.

Westernbank is also subject to quarterly payments on semiannual insurance premium assessments for its FDIC deposit insurance. Westernbank is subject to separate assessments to repay bonds (“FICO bonds”) issued in the late 1980’s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. The assessment for the payments on the FICO bonds for the quarter beginning on January 1, 2007 is 1.22 basis points for DIF-assessable deposits.

BROKERED DEPOSITS. FDIC regulations govern the receipt of brokered deposits. Under these regulations, a bank cannot accept, rollover or renew brokered deposits (which term is defined also to include any deposit with an interest rate more than 75 basis points above prevailing rates) unless (i) it is well capitalized or (ii) it is adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from the FDIC. However, a bank that is adequately capitalized may not pay an interest rate more than 75 basis points over prevailing rates under any circumstances. The Company does not believe the brokered deposits regulation has had or will have a material effect on the funding or liquidity of Westernbank.

SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS STANDARDS. Section 39 of the FDIA requires each federal banking agency to prescribe for all insured depository institutions that it regulates standards relating to internal control, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits and such other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate. In addition, each federal banking agency is required to adopt standards that specify (i) a maximum ratio of classified assets to capital, (ii) minimum earnings sufficient to absorb losses without impairing capital, (iii) to the extent feasible, a minimum ratio of market value to book value for publicly-traded shares of the institution or holding company, and (iv) such other standards relating to asset quality, earnings and valuation as the agency deems appropriate. Finally, each federal banking agency is required to prescribe standards for the employment contracts and other compensation arrangements of executive officers, employees, directors and principal stockholders of insured depository institutions that would prohibit compensation, benefits and other arrangements that are excessive or that could lead to a material financial loss for the institution. If an insured depository institution or its holding company fails to meet any of the standards described above, it may be required to submit to the appropriate federal banking agency a plan specifying the steps that will be taken to cure the deficiency. If an institution or holding company fails to submit an acceptable plan or fails to implement the plan, the appropriate federal banking agency will require the institution or holding company to correct the deficiency and, until it is corrected, may impose other restrictions on the institution or holding company, including any of the restrictions applicable under the prompt corrective action provisions of FDICIA.

ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS ON STATE-CHARTERED BANKS. State banks and their subsidiaries are limited in their investments and activities engaged in as principal to those permissible under applicable state law and that are permissible for national banks and their subsidiaries, unless such investments and activities are specifically permitted by the FDIA or the FDIC determines that such activity or investment would pose no significant risk to the DIF and the banks are, and continue to be, in compliance with applicable capital standards. The FDIC has by regulation determined that certain real estate investment activities do not present a significant risk to the DIF, provided they are conducted in accordance with the regulations. Provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLB Act”), permit national banks to establish financial subsidiaries that may engage in the activities permissible for financial holding companies, other than insurance underwriting, merchant banking and real estate development and investment activities. In order to exercise this authority, a bank and its depository institution affiliates must be well-capitalized, well-managed and have CRA ratings of at least “satisfactory”. For a state bank, such activities also must be permissible under relevant state law.

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND INSIDERS OF WESTERNBANK. Transactions between Westernbank and any of its affiliates, including the Company, are governed by sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, as implemented by the FRB’s Regulation W. An affiliate of a bank is generally considered to be a company or entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the bank. Generally, sections 23A and 23B (1) limit the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of the bank’s capital stock and surplus, and limit such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus, and (2) require that all such transactions be on terms that are consistent

with safe and sound banking practices. The term “covered transactions” includes the making of loans, purchase of or investment in securities issued by the affiliate, purchase of assets, issuance of guarantees and other similar types of transactions. Most loans by a bank to any of its affiliates must be secured by collateral in amounts ranging from 100 to 130 percent of the loan amount, depending on the nature of the collateral. In addition, any covered transaction by a bank with an affiliate and any sale of assets or provision of services to an affiliate must be on terms that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the bank as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies.

Sections 22(g) and (h) of the Federal Reserve Act place restrictions on loans by a bank to executive officers, directors, and principal stockholders. Under section 22(h), loans to a director, an executive officer and to a stockholder controlling greater than 10% of a bank and certain of their related interests (“insiders”) and insiders of affiliates, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and related interests, the bank’s loans-to-one-borrower limit (generally equal to 15% of the institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus for unsecured loans and an additional 10% of the institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus for loans fully secured by readily marketable securities). Section 22(h) also requires that loans to insiders and to insiders of affiliates be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons, unless the loans are made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that (i) is widely available to employees of the bank and (ii) does not give preference to insiders over other employees of the bank. Section 22(h) also requires prior board of director’s approval for certain loans, and the aggregate amount of extensions of credit by a bank to all insiders cannot exceed the institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus. Furthermore, Section 22(g) places additional restrictions on loans to executive officers.

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by federal regulations, a financial institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions, nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires federal examiners, in connection with the examination of a financial institution, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution. The CRA also requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA ratings. The Company has a Compliance and Risk Management Committee, which oversees the planning of products, and services offered to the community, especially those aimed to serve low and moderate income communities. Westernbank, at its most recent evaluation of performance under the CRA, was rated satisfactory by FDIC examiners.

CUSTOMER INFORMATION SECURITY. The FRB, the FDIC and other bank regulatory agencies have adopted final guidelines (the “Guidelines”) for safeguarding confidential, personal customer information. The Guidelines require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its board of directors or an appropriate committee thereof, to create, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. The FRB, FDIC and the other banking regulatory agencies later supplemented the Guidelines to include a requirement that the security programs of financial institutions include the development and implementation of a risk-based response program to address incidents of unauthorized access to customer information in customer information systems. The Company has adopted a customer information security program that has been approved by the Company’s board of directors.

ACTIVITIES AND INVESTMENTS. The activities as “principal” and equity investments of FDIC-insured, state-chartered banks such as Westernbank are generally limited to those that are permissible for national banks. Under regulations dealing with equity investments, an insured state-chartered bank generally may not directly or indirectly acquire or retain any equity investments of a type, or in an amount, that is not permissible for a national bank.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM. Westernbank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. The System consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks, with each subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Housing Finance Board. Each Federal Home Loan Bank provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. Westernbank, as a member of the FHLB of New York, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in that FHLB in an amount equal to the greater of: 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans, home purchase contracts and similar obligations at the beginning of each year; 5% of its FHLB advances outstanding; or 0.3% of its total assets. At December 31, 2006, Westernbank held $38.0 million in capital stock of the FHLB of New York.

Advances from a FHLB are secured by a member’s shares of stock in the institution, certain type of mortgages and other assets, including investment securities. Interest rates charged for advances vary depending upon maturity and the cost of funds to the FHLB. As of December 31, 2006, Westernbank had $127.0 million in outstanding advances and $448.0 million in repurchase agreements from the FHLB of New York.

INTERNATIONAL BANKING CENTER REGULATORY ACT. The business and operations of Westernbank International Banking Entity are subject to supervision and regulation by the Puerto Rico Commissioner. Under the International Banking Center Regulatory Act, which provides for the creation of international banking entities (“IBEs”) (“IBE Act”), no sale, encumbrance, assignment, merger, exchange or transfer of shares, interest or participation in the capital of an IBE may be initiated without the prior approval of the Puerto Rico Commissioner, if by such transaction a person would acquire, directly or indirectly, control of 10% or more of any class of stock, interest or participation in the capital of the IBE. The IBE Act and the regulations issued thereunder by the Puerto Rico Commissioner (the “IBE Regulations”) limit the business activities that may be carried out by an IBE. Such activities are limited in part to those involving persons and assets located outside of Puerto Rico. The IBE Act provides further that every IBE must have not less than $300,000 of unencumbered assets or acceptable financial securities.

Pursuant to the IBE Act and the IBE Regulations, the Westernbank IBE must maintain segregated books and records of all its transactions in the ordinary course of business. The Westernbank IBE also is required thereunder to submit to the Puerto Rico Commissioner quarterly and annual reports of its financial condition and results of operations, including annual audited financial statements.

The IBE Act empowers the Puerto Rico Commissioner to revoke or suspend, after notice and hearing, a license issued thereunder if, among other things, the IBE fails to comply with the IBE Act, the IBE Regulations or the terms of its license, or if the Puerto Rico Commissioner finds that the business or affairs of the IBE are conducted in a manner that is not consistent with the public interest.

Pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 13 of January 8, 2004 (the “Act”), for taxable years commencing after June 30, 2003, the net income earned by an IBE that operates as a unit of a bank under the Puerto Rico Banking Law, will be considered taxable and subject to income taxes at the current tax rates in the amount by which the IBE taxable income exceeds 40% in the first applicable taxable year (2004), 30% in the second year (2005) and 20% thereafter, of the taxable income of Westernbank, including its IBE taxable income. Westernbank’s IBE carries on its books a significant amount of securities which are, irrespective of the IBE status, tax exempt by law. Moreover, the Act provides that IBE’s operating as subsidiaries will continue to be exempt from the payment of income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the provisions of the Act did not have any effect in the Company’s financial position or results of operations. As of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and for the years then ended, substantially all of Westernbank International’s business activities have consisted of investment in securities of and loans to entities principally located in the United States of America. Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements presents further information about the Company’s business segments.

PRIVACY. Under the GLB Act, all financial institutions, including the Company, Westernbank and Westernbank Insurance Corp., are required to adopt privacy policies, restrict the sharing of nonpublic customer data with nonaffiliated parties pursuant to their privacy policies or at the customer’s request, and establish procedures and practices to protect customer data from unauthorized access. The Company and its subsidiaries have developed such policies and procedures, and the Company believes these policies and procedures are in compliance with all privacy provisions of the GLB Act.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING. On October 26, 2001, the President signed into law comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation known as the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”). Title III of the USA Patriot Act substantially broadened the scope of the U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States of America. The U.S. Treasury Department and federal banking agencies have issued a number of regulations and other guidance implementing the USA Patriot Act requirements that apply to financial institutions. The regulations impose new obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of customers. The effectiveness of a financial institution in establishing such policies, procedures and controls to combat money laundering activities is a factor to be considered in any application submitted by a financial institution under the Bank Merger Act, which applies to Westernbank, or any expansionary banking proposal under the BHC Act, which applies to the Company.

REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY. The enforcement powers available to federal banking regulators include, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease-and-desist or removal orders, to require written agreements and to initiate injunctive actions against banking organizations and institution-affiliated parties, as defined. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. Other actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely reports filed with regulatory authorities. Federal law requires, except under certain circumstances, public disclosure of final enforcement actions by the federal banking agencies. In addition, the FRB and FDIC may take various other informal actions.

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (“Sarbanes-Oxley”) implemented a broad range of corporate governance and accounting measures for public companies (including publicly-held financial holding companies such as the Company) designed to promote honesty and transparency in corporate America. Sarbanes-Oxley’s principal provisions, many of which have been interpreted through SEC regulations, provide for and include, among other things: (i) the creation of an independent accounting oversight board; (ii) auditor independence provisions that restrict non-audit services that accountants may provide to their audit clients; (iii) additional corporate governance and responsibility measures, including the requirement that the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of a public company certify financial statements; (iv) the forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement; (v) an increase in the oversight of, and enhancement of certain requirements relating to, audit committees of public companies and how they interact with the Company’s independent auditors; (vi) requirements that audit committee members must be independent and are barred from accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the issuer; (vii) requirements that companies disclose whether at least one member of the audit committee is a ‘financial expert’ (as such term is defined by the SEC) and if not discussed, why the audit committee does not have a financial expert; (viii) expanded disclosure requirements for corporate insiders, including accelerated reporting of stock transactions by insiders and a prohibition on insider trading during pension blackout periods; (ix) a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers, except certain loans made by insured financial institutions on nonpreferential terms and in compliance with other bank regulatory requirements; (x) disclosure of a code of ethics and filing a Form 8-K for a change or waiver of such code; and (xi) a range of enhanced penalties for fraud and other violations.

FUTURE LEGISLATION. Changes to federal and local laws and regulations (including changes in interpretation or enforcement) can affect the operating environment of the Company and its subsidiaries in substantial and unpredictable ways. From time to time, various legislative and regulatory proposals are introduced. These proposals, if codified, may change banking statutes and regulations and the Company’s operating environment and can have retroactive effect. If codified, these proposals could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions and other financial institutions. The Company cannot accurately predict whether those changes in laws and regulations will occur, and, if those changes occur, the ultimate effect they would have upon our financial condition or results of operations. It is likely, however, that the current high level of enforcement and compliance-related activities of federal and local authorities will continue and potentially increase.

CAPITAL, DIVIDENDS, STOCK SPLITS AND OPTION PLANS

Total stockholders’ equity as a measure of capital increased by $34.4 million in 2006 and by $115.9 million in 2005.

Since year 2000, the Company’s board of directors adopted the policy of paying dividends on a monthly basis. Initial dividend payments under this policy, were applied retroactively for dividends corresponding to the first three-month period ended March 31, 2000. Thereafter, dividends on common stock and preferred stock are being paid on the 15th day of each month for stockholders of record as of the last day of the previous month.

On June 17, 2002, the Company’s board of directors declared a three-for-two split on its common stock, for stockholders of record as of June 28, 2002, and distributed on July 10, 2002. The effect of the stock split was a decrease to retained earnings and an increase in common stock of $20.8 million.

During 2003 and 2002, the Company acquired and retired shares of common stock as follows: $33,000 (1,903 shares) in 2003 and $42,000 (1,678 shares) in 2002. No shares were acquired and retired during 2006, 2005 and 2004.

On November 4, 2003, the Company’s board of directors declared a three-for-two split on its common stock, for stockholders of record as of November 28, 2003, and distributed on December 10, 2003. The effect of the stock split was a decrease to retained earnings and an increase in common stock of approximately $34.7 million.

On November 11, 2003, the Company’s board of directors declared a two percent (2%) stock dividend, for stockholders of record as of November 28, 2003, and distributed on December 10, 2003. The effect of the stock dividend was a decrease to retained earnings, an increase in paid-in-capital and an increase in common stock of approximately $35.2 million, $33.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

On December 6, 2004, the Company’s board of directors declared a three-for-two split on its common stock, for stockholders of record as of December 31, 2004, and distributed on January 10, 2005. The effect of the stock split was a decrease to retained earnings and an increase in common stock of approximately $54.6 million.

On December 13, 2004, the Company’s board of directors declared a two percent (2%) stock dividend, for stockholders of record as of December 30, 2004, and distributed on January 10, 2005. The effect of the stock dividend was a decrease to retained earnings, an increase in paid-in-capital and an increase in common stock of approximately $45.8 million, $43.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

During 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 certain key officers and employees of the Company exercised 376,051; 56,113; 328,568 (as adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends); and 1,170,450 (as adjusted) shares, respectively, under the Company’s 1999 Qualified Option Plan. No stock options were exercised during 2002.

On May 27, 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the amendments to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (Exhibit 3.1) to increase the authorized shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, from 20,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares, and to increase the authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, from 300,000,000 shares to 500,000,000 shares.

On January 18, 2007, two of the Company’s executive officers exercised 175,568 and 105,341 stock options under the Company’s 1999 Qualified Option Plan at the exercise prices of $2.85 and $3.35, respectively.

On January 30, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors granted a total of 45,000 stock options to two officers of Westernbank pursuant to the shareholders-approved 1999 Qualified Option Plan at an exercise price of $6.05. The market price of the stock was $5.79 at January 30, 2007.

In February 2007, the Company forfeited 250,000 stock options from a former officer of Westernbank.

Total common stock cash dividends declared in 2006 amounted to $31.2 million compared to $30.6 million in 2005.

The Company has issued the following non-cumulative, monthly income preferred stock:


				Issuance
				Price and
				Liquidation				Proceeds From
Issuance		Dividend		Preference		Shares		Issuance, Net of		Issuance
Year	Type of Preferred Stock	Rate		Per Share		Issued		Issuance Costs		Costs


1998	Convertible, 1998 Series A		7.125%	$	25		1,219,000	$	29,143,000	$	1,332,000
1999	Non-convertible, 1999 Series B		7.250		25		2,001,000		48,273,000		1,752,000
2001	Non-convertible, 2001 Series C		7.600		25		2,208,000		53,103,000		2,097,000
2001	Non-convertible, 2001 Series D		7.400		25		1,791,999		43,238,000		1,562,000
2002	Non-convertible, 2002 Series E		6.875		25		1,725,000		41,463,000		1,662,000
2003	Non-convertible, 2003 Series F		6.700		25		4,232,000		102,192,000		3,608,000
2003	Non-convertible, 2003 Series G		6.900		25		2,640,000		63,671,000		2,329,000
2004	Non-convertible, 2004 Series H		6.700		50		2,675,500		129,311,000		4,464,000
2005	Non-convertible, 2004 Series H		6.700		50		401,300		19,450,000		615,000


	Total						18,893,799	$	529,844,000	$	19,421,000

The Company may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time at the following redemption prices, if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning July 1 for 1998 Series A, May 28 for 1999 Series B, March 30 for the 2001 Series C, August 1 for the 2001 Series D, October 31 for 2002 Series E, May 30 for 2003 Series F, August 29 for 2003 Series G and December 21 for 2004 Series H of the years indicated below, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, for the current period to the date of redemption, subject to regulatory approval:


Redemption Price per Share
December 31,	Series A		Series B		Series C		Series D		Series E		Series F		Series G		Series H


2007	$	25.00	$	25.00	$	25.25	$	25.25	$	25.50	$	—	$	—	$	—
2008		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.25		25.50		25.50		—
2009		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.25		25.25		51.00
2010		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		50.50
2011 and thereafter		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		50.00

Series A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H Preferred Stocks rank senior to the Company’s common stock as to dividends and liquidation rights. Dividends declared on preferred stock for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, amounted to $36.9 million and $37.0 million, respectively.

In June 1998, Westernbank issued 1,219,000 shares of its 7.125% Non-cumulative, Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, Series A, with a liquidation preference of $25 per share. Each share is convertible, at the holder’s option, at any time on or after the 90th day following the issue date, into .995 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment upon certain events. The per share conversion ratio equates to a price of $7.12 per share of common stock, as adjusted. At December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding 481,910 shares of its 7.125% Non-cumulative, Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, Series A.

During 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, 3,550; 35,292; 276,994; 419,254; and 2,000 shares, respectively, of the convertible preferred stock Series A were converted into 12,403; 123,289; 967,760 (as adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends); 1,464,741 (as adjusted); and 10,478 (as adjusted) shares of common stock, respectively.

The Company has two shareholders’ approved stock option plans, the 1999 Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Qualified Option Plan”) and the 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Nonqualified Option Plan”), for the benefit of employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. These plans offer to key officers, directors and employees an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Under the 1999 Qualified Option Plan, options for up to 14,747,670 shares (as adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends) of common stock can be granted. Also, options for up to 14,747,670 shares (as adjusted) of common stock, reduced by any share issued under the 1999 Qualified Option Plan can be granted under the 1999 Nonqualified Option Plan. The option price for both plans is determined at the grant date. Both plans will remain in effect for a term of 10 years. The Board of Directors has sole authority and absolute discretion as to the number of stock options to be granted, their vesting rights, and the options’ exercise price. The options become fully exercisable after five years following the grant date and the maximum contractual term of the options is ten years. The Company’s policy is to issue new shares when share options are exercised. The Plans provide for a proportionate adjustment in the exercise price and the number of shares that can be purchased in the event of a stock split, reclassification of stock and a merger or reorganization.

The activity in outstanding options under the 1999 Qualified Option Plan for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, is set forth below. The activity for the years ended December 31, 2004 was adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split and 2% stock dividend declared in December 2004 and distributed on January 10, 2005, and the three-for-two stock split and 2% stock dividend declared in November 2003 and distributed on December 10, 2003.


	2006					2005					2004
				Weighted					Weighted					Weighted
				Average					Average					Average
	Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise
	Options			Price		Options			Price		Options			Price

Beginning of year		7,845,285		$	3.79		7,111,398		$	3.02		7,439,966		$	3.02
Options granted		485,000			5.96		790,000			10.65		—			—
Options exercised		(376,051	)		2.85		(56,113	)		2.85		(328,568	)		2.95
Options forfeited		(245,568	)		7.84		—			—		—			—

End of year		7,708,666		$	3.84		7,845,285		$	3.79		7,111,398		$	3.02

For more information, please refer to Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements, which are included in Part II, Item 8.

COMMONWEALTH TAXATION

GENERAL. Under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), all companies are treated as separate taxable entities and are not entitled to file consolidated tax returns. The Company, Westernbank and Westernbank Insurance, Corp. (the “Companies”) report their income and expenses based on the accrual basis of accounting and file their Puerto Rico tax returns on a calendar year basis.

INCOME TAXES. The Companies are subject to Puerto Rico regular income tax on income earned from all sources up to a maximum rate of 39%, except for years 2005 and 2006, in which a transitory additional surtax of 2.5% over net taxable income was imposed by the Governor of Puerto Rico under Law No. 41, signed on August 1, 2005. This transitory additional tax is in effect for taxable years 2005 and 2006 and had a retroactive effect to January 1, 2005. On May 13, 2006, with an effective date of January 1, 2006, the Government of Puerto Rico approved Law No. 89 which imposes an additional 2.0% income tax on all companies covered by the Puerto Rico Banking Act, as amended, such as Westernbank. Therefore, Westernbank is now subject to a maximum tax rate of 43.5%. This transitory income tax of 2% amounted to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. These transitory income taxes were intended to be temporary in nature and ended on December 31, 2006.

On May 16, 2006, the Government of Puerto Rico approved Law No. 98 which imposes a 5% additional tax (the “prepayment requirement”) to businesses that have a gross income in excess of $10,000,000, such as Westernbank. This tax constitutes a prepayment of income tax and can be used as a credit to the tax liability of years 2007 and thereafter. A maximum of 25% of the credit can be used in each year. This prepayment requirement was computed using Westernbank’s 2005 taxable income as the base. The prepayment requirement amounted to $6.4 million and was paid by Westernbank in July 2006.

The Puerto Rico income tax act disallows any interest deduction which is allocable to income earned from tax exempt obligations acquired after December 31, 1987. For purposes of the above determination, each company is required to allocate interest expense to exempt interest income based on the ratio that the average exempt obligations bear to the total average assets of each company.

The Companies are also subject to an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) equal to 22% of the alternative minimum taxable income. The alternative minimum taxable income is equal to each Company’s taxable income adjusted for certain items. The principal adjustments for determining each company’s alternative minimum taxable income are the following: (i) no deduction may be claimed with respect to the company’s interest expense allocable to interest income derived from tax exempt obligations acquired before January 1, 1988, other than mortgages guaranteed by the government of Puerto Rico, its agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions, issued before September 1, 1987; and (ii) the alternative minimum taxable income is increased by 50% of the amount by which the corporation’s book income (adjusted for certain items) exceeds its alternative minimum taxable income without regard to this adjustment.

The AMT is payable if it exceeds regular income tax. The excess of AMT over regular income tax paid in any one year may be used to offset regular income tax in future years, subject to certain limitations. The Companies income taxes were based on regular income tax rates.

The Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code provides a dividend received deduction of 100% on dividends received from wholly owned subsidiaries subject to income taxation in Puerto Rico, like Westernbank and Westernbank Insurance Corp.

Westernbank World Plaza, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Westernbank, elected to be treated as a special partnership under the Code; accordingly, its taxable income is taxed at Westernbank.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company had approximately $152.5 million of regular taxable income, on which it is required to pay current income tax of $66.3 million. The income on certain investments is exempt for income tax purposes. Also, activities relating to the Westernbank International division are exempt for income tax purposes, subject to certain limitations. As a result of the above, the Company’s effective tax rate is below the statutory rate.

The Company evaluates and assesses the relative risks and appropriate tax treatment of transactions and filing positions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other information and maintains tax accruals consistent with its evaluation of these relative risks and merits. Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by taxing authorities and changes to statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance that impact the relative risks of tax positions. These changes, when they occur, can affect the income tax accruals as well as the current period’s income tax expense and can be significant to the operating results of the Company. The Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition include an accrual of $10.9 million at December 31, 2006, for the exposures resulting from tax positions identified by the Company in connection with this evaluation.

Westernbank International operates as an International Banking Entity (IBE) under Puerto Rico Act No. 52, of August 11, 1989, as amended, known as the International Banking Center Regulatory Act. Under Puerto Rico tax law, an IBE can hold non-Puerto Rico assets, and earn interest on these assets, as well as generate fee income outside of Puerto Rico on a tax-exempt basis under certain circumstances. Pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 13 of January 8, 2004, for taxable years commencing after June 30, 2003, the net income earned by an IBE that operates as a unit of a bank under the Puerto Rico Banking Law, will be considered taxable and subject to income taxes at the current tax rates in the amount by which the IBE taxable income exceeds 40% in the first applicable taxable year (2004), 30% in the second year (2005) and 20% thereafter, of the taxable income of Westernbank, including its IBE taxable income. Westernbank’s IBE carries on its books a significant amount of securities which are, irrespective of the IBE status, tax exempt by law. Moreover, the Act provides that IBE’s operating as subsidiaries will continue to be exempt from the payment of income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the provisions of the Act did not have any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Any change in these tax laws or other regulations, whether by applicable regulators or as a result of legislation subsequently enacted by the Congress of the United States or the applicable local legislatures, may have an impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We make available free of charge, through our investor relations section at our website, http://www.wholding.com, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at its web site (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, our Internet website, in the Investor Relations Section, also includes our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers, the charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Corporate Governance Guidelines of our Board of Directors. We also make available free of charge in print to any stockholder who requests them copies of our corporate governance principles, and the charters of each standing committee of our board of directors. Requests for copies of these documents should be directed to Mr. César A. Ruiz, Secretary, W Holding Company, Inc., P.O. Box 1180, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00681. To the extent required by SEC rules, we intend to disclose any amendments to our code of conduct and ethics, and any waiver of a provision of the code with

respect to the company’s directors, principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, on our web site referred to above within five business days following any such amendment or waiver, or within any other period that may be required under SEC rules from time to time.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The material risks and uncertainties that management believes affect the Company are described below. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is not aware of, or that it currently deems immaterial, may also impair business operations.

If any of the following risks actually occur, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. If this were to happen, the value of our common stock could decline significantly.

We have experienced significant growth in recent years

We have grown significantly in recent years, and we intend to continue to expand operations and asset size. Our total assets, consisting primarily of loans and investments, have increased at an average annual growth rate of 24.58% for the last five fiscal years, to $17.15 billion at December 31, 2006. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sustain this rate of growth in the future. Moreover, we are continually exploring other avenues of growth, including the possible acquisition of assets and deposits from other financial institutions as well as acquisitions of other banks, either in Puerto Rico or outside of Puerto Rico.

Westernbank is subject to default risk in its loan portfolio

Westernbank is subject to the risk of loss from loan defaults and foreclosures with respect to the loans it originates or acquires. Westernbank establishes provisions for loan losses, which lead to reductions in its income from operations, in order to maintain its allowance for future loan losses at a level which is deemed appropriate by its management based upon an assessment of the quality of its loan portfolio in accordance with established procedures and guidelines. Although Westernbank’s management utilizes its best judgment in providing for loan losses, there can be no assurance that management has accurately estimated the level of future loan losses or that Westernbank will not have to increase its provision for loan losses in the future as a result of future increases in non-performing loans or for other reasons beyond its control. Any such increases in Westernbank’s provision for loan losses or any loan losses in excess of its provision for loan losses would have an adverse effect on our future financial condition and results of operations.

Westernbank is exposed to commercial and consumer credit risks

In recent years, Westernbank has emphasized commercial and consumer lending activities. Commercial lending, including commercial real estate and asset-based lending, unsecured business lending and construction lending, is generally recognized as involving greater credit risk because it is larger in size and more risk is concentrated in a single borrower. In addition, the borrower’s ability to repay a commercial loan or a construction loan depends, in the case of a commercial loan, on the successful operation of the business or the property securing the loan and, in the case of a construction loan, on the successful completion and sale or operation of the project. The properties or assets securing these loans may also be harder to dispose of in foreclosure. We have expanded our consumer lending activities through our Expresso of Westernbank Division. These loans generally have a higher credit risk when compared to the rest of Westernbank’s consumer loan portfolio, since the Expresso Division principally targets the typical small consumer loan customers that are usually low income earners. Therefore, delinquencies in the Expresso of Westernbank division tend to be higher when compared to the total consumer loan portfolio in general. Consumer loans are subject to associated consumer defaults. Westernbank has a significant fixed rate lending concentration with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $894.0 million in one mortgage originator group in Puerto Rico at December 31, 2006. In addition, Westernbank has outstanding $46.0 million of fixed and floating rate loans to another mortgage originator group in Puerto Rico, for total outstanding loans to mortgage originator groups amounting to $940.0 million at December 31, 2006. These commercial loans are secured by 11,672 individual mortgage loans on residential and commercial real estate with an average principal outstanding balance of $80,534. Westernbank’s historical experience with the mortgage originator groups is that they have paid these loans in accordance with their terms. On March 16, 2006, Westernbank obtained a waiver from the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with respect to the statutory limit for individual borrowers (loan to one borrower limit), which allows the Company to retain the above significant commercial loans in its portfolio until these are paid in full. If Westernbank experiences loan losses that are higher than its allowance for loan losses, our profits and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Our performance is subject to interest rate risk

Our results of operations depend to a large extent on the success of Westernbank. Among the risks related to Westernbank are those related to interest rate fluctuations, lending operations and our ability to manage growth. Interest-rate fluctuations could adversely affect net interest income if our cost of funds increases faster than our yield on interest-earning assets. Increases in interest rates also increase the costs of loans to businesses and consumers and may reduce demand for such loans, which negatively affects the ability of the Company to maintain the loan growth it has experienced in recent years.

Increases in interest rates may reduce the value of the Company and Westernbank’s loans and securities holdings

Increases in interest rates may reduce the value of the Company and Westernbank’s fixed-rate financial assets and may have an adverse impact on its earnings and financial condition. The Company and Westernbank owns a substantial portfolio of real estate loans, mortgage-backed securities and other debt securities with fixed interest rates. The market value of an obligation with a fixed interest rate generally decreases when prevailing interest rates rise.

Competition with other financial institutions could adversely affect our profitability

Westernbank faces substantial competition in originating loans and in attracting deposits. The competition in originating loans comes principally from other U.S., Puerto Rico and foreign banks, mortgage banking companies, consumer finance companies, insurance companies and other institutional lenders and purchasers of loans. A number of institutions with which Westernbank competes may have significantly greater assets, capital and other resources. In addition, certain of Westernbank’s competitors are not subject to the same extensive federal regulation that governs Westernbank’s business. As a result, certain of Westernbank’s competitors may have advantages in conducting certain businesses and providing certain services. Additionally, much of our growth has focused on the San Juan metropolitan area, which is a competitive market where a number of established financial institutions already exist. Increased competition could require Westernbank to increase its rates offered on deposits or lower the rates charged on loans, which could adversely affect our profitability.

Changes in statutes and regulations, including tax laws and rules, could adversely affect us

Our company, as a Puerto Rico-chartered financial holding company, and our subsidiaries, are each subject to extensive federal and local governmental supervision and regulation relating to our banking and insurance businesses. In addition, there are laws and other regulations that restrict transactions between us and our subsidiaries. Any change in such laws or regulations, whether by applicable regulators or as a result of legislation subsequently enacted by the Congress of the United States or the local legislature, could adversely affect our profits and financial condition.

We are subject to the general risks associated with the Puerto Rico economy

Substantially all of the properties and other collateral securing our real estate, commercial and consumer loans are located in Puerto Rico. These loans may be subject to a greater risk of default if the Puerto Rico economy suffers adverse economic, political or business developments, or if natural disasters affect Puerto Rico. If any such developments or risks adversely affect Puerto Rico, our profitability may decrease.

Applicable laws restrict our ability to pay dividends

Our main sources of liquidity are dividends from Westernbank, interest and dividends on portfolio securities we own and net proceeds from capital borrowings and offerings of our capital stock. Westernbank may not pay dividends if upon payment it would become undercapitalized under the regulations enforced by the FDIC. Westernbank also could be subject to these dividend restrictions if the FDIC determines that it is in an unsafe or unsound condition or engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice. We are also subject to restrictions on dividends generally imposed on Puerto Rico corporations and may be restricted in our ability to pay dividends by minimum capital requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board issued a policy statement that provides that insured banks and financial holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings.

Provisions of our charter and applicable law may prevent a change of control

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation, as well as United States federal banking law, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us even if doing so would provide our stockholders with a “premium” to prevailing market prices or otherwise be beneficial to our stockholders. These provisions in our charter documents include a staggered board of directors; a provision that prohibits stockholders from calling special meetings of stockholders; and advance notice procedures for nomination of directors and for stockholder proposals.

A prolonged economic downturn or recession would likely result in a reduction of Westernbank’s loan origination activity which would adversely affect our financial results

A period of prolonged general economic downturn or a recession has historically resulted in a reduction in lending activity and an increase in the rate of defaults in commercial loans, consumer loans and residential mortgages. A continued recession may have a significant adverse impact on Westernbank’s net interest income and fee income. We may also experience larger than previously reported losses on Westernbank’s loan portfolio due to a higher level of defaults on Westernbank’s commercial loans, consumer loans and residential mortgage loans.

The loss of a key employee may adversely affect our prospects

We believe that our management team is one of our most valuable assets and has a very high level of experience, depth and expertise. They are largely responsible for our growth and development to date. The loss of the services of any member of our management team could adversely affect our business prospects. Most of our executive officers do not have an employment agreement with us.

The Company is subject to risks associated with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s temporary budget crisis

Due to a budget impasse, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (“the Commonwealth”) closed all public agencies on May 1, 2006, except those related to safety, health and other essential services. All agencies were subsequently opened two weeks later and a budget approved by the Legislature was signed into law by the Commonwealth’s Governor. Subsequently, Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s) downgraded the Commonwealth’s general obligation bond rating to Baa3 from Baa2, and kept the rating on “watch list” for possible future downgrade.

According to Moody’s, this action reflects the Commonwealth’s strained financial condition, and ongoing political conflict and lack of agreement regarding the measures necessary to end the government’s multi-year trend of financial deterioration. A fiscal reform was later approved, where the Commonwealth House and Senate approved a tax reform authorizing a 7% sales tax, with the option, if expected revenues do not materialize, to raise it to 8% after December 2006. Notwithstanding, significant budget deficit and fiscal imbalance could continue in the coming years. Any significant adverse political or economic developments in Puerto Rico resulting from the budget impasse could have a negative impact on the Company’s future financial condition and results of operations.

Rating downgrades on the Government of Puerto Rico’s debt obligation may affect Westernbank’s credit exposure

Even though Puerto Rico’s economy is closely integrated to that of the U.S. mainland and its government and many of its instrumentalities are investment-grade rated borrowers in the U.S. capital markets, the current fiscal situation of the Government of Puerto Rico has led nationally recognized rating agencies to downgrade its debt obligations.

In May 2006, Moody’s downgraded the Commonwealth’s general obligation bond rating to Baa3 from Baa2, and put the credit on “watch list” for possible further downgrades. The Commonwealth’s appropriation bonds and some of the subordinated revenue bonds were also downgraded by one notch and are now rated just below investment grade at Ba1. Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) still rates the Commonwealth’s general obligations two notches above junk at BBB, and the Commonwealth’s appropriation bonds and some of the subordinated revenue bonds BBB-, a category that continues to be investment-grade rated.

In July 2006, S&P and Moody’s affirmed their credit ratings on the Commonwealth’s debt, and removed the debt from their respective “watch lists”, thus reducing the possibility of an immediate additional downgrade. These actions resulted after the Government of the Commonwealth approved the budget for the fiscal year 2007, which runs from July 2006 through June 2007, which included the adoption of a new sales tax. Revenues from the sales tax will be dedicated primarily to fund the Government of Puerto Rico’s operating expenses, and to a lesser extent, to repay government debt and fund local municipalities.

Both rating agencies maintained the negative outlook for the Puerto Rico obligation bonds. Factors such as the government’s ability to implement meaningful steps to curb operating expenditures, improve managerial and budgetary controls, and eliminate the government’s reliance on operating budget loans from the Government Development Bank of Puerto Rico will be key determinants of future rating stability and restoration of a stable long-term outlook. Also, the inability to agree on future fiscal year Commonwealth budgets could result in ratings pressure from the rating agencies.

It is uncertain how the financial markets may react to any potential future ratings downgrade in Puerto Rico’s debt obligations. However, the fallout from the recent budgetary crisis and a possible ratings downgrade could adversely affect the value of Puerto Rico’s Government obligations. In addition, the above uncertainty in the public sector may also have an adverse effect on the Puerto Rico economy, which in turn may adversely affect in the credit quality of Westernbank’s loan portfolio.

Westernbank’s credit quality may be adversely affected by Puerto Rico’s current economic condition

The slowdown on the island’s growth rate, which appears to have started in 2005, according to the Puerto Rico Planning Board statistics, has continued in 2006. Manufacturing has declined in overall activity for 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005, for the first time since 2002.

Construction remains relatively weak during 2006, as the combination of rising interest rates, the Commonwealth’s fiscal condition and decreasing public investment in construction projects affected the sector. The value of construction permits during the year ended December 2006 declined by approximately 23.2% when compared to 2005, with most of the drop coming from the public sector. Retail sales during the year 2006 also reflected the uncertainty prevalent at the time related to the Commonwealth’s fiscal situation, as well as increased oil and utility prices. Sales registered a decline of 3.2% as compared to the same period in 2005, as the months surrounding the temporary government shutdown were particularly affected. The unemployment rate was 10.2% as of December 31, 2006.

Tourism is the one sector that has been resilient. Activity in the sector has expanded consistently since 2004, and in 2006 it registered the strongest increase in four years. Factors that may be boosting the tourism sector are geo-political tensions throughout the world, a relative benign hurricane season for the past two years, and a relatively firm U.S. economy.

In general, it is apparent that in 2006 the Puerto Rican economy continued its trend of decreasing growth and ended the first half of the year with minimal momentum, primarily due to weaker manufacturing, softer consumption and decreased government investment in construction.

The above economic concerns and uncertainty in the private and public sectors may also have an adverse effect in the credit quality of Westernbank’s loan portfolio, as delinquency rates are expected to increase in the short-term, until the economy stabilizes. Also, a potential reduction in consumer spending may also impact growth in interest revenue sources of the Company.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns the condominium offices space housing its main offices at 19 West McKinley Street, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. As of December 31, 2006, Westernbank owned approximately 10 branch premises and other facilities, eight (8) lots for future development, and one office building, all of them located in Puerto Rico. In addition, as of such date, Westernbank leased properties, mainly for branch operations, in approximately 48 locations in Puerto Rico. Also, Westernbank Financial Center Corp. is leasing an office location in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States of America.

At December 31, 2006, the Company’s future rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases aggregated $10.6 million, not considering renewal options.

The principal property owned by Westernbank World Plaza, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Westernbank, for banking operations and other services is described below:

•

Westernbank World Plaza — a 23-story office building located at Puerto Rico’s main business district and which serves as Westernbank San Juan metropolitan area headquarters, our regional commercial lending office and the headquarters for the Westernbank Business Credit and Expresso of Westernbank divisions. The book value of this property at December 31, 2006, was $52.5 million.

The Company’s investment in premises and equipment, exclusive of leasehold improvements, at December 31, 2006, was $116.4 million. The combined net book value of the Company’s main offices as of December 31, 2006 was $793,000.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Except as described below, there are no material pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine legal proceedings incidental to the business of the Company to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject or of which any of their property is the subject. Management believes, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

As previously disclosed, the Company has received from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) notice of a formal order of private investigation into matters that were the subject of a previously announced informal inquiry by the SEC. The inquiry appears to be primarily related to the other-than-temporary impairment charges announced by the Company in April 2003 in connection with its investments in corporate bond and loan obligations. The Company does not expect to comment further regarding this matter, as the formal order is a confidential document directing a non-public investigation.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s common stock is traded in the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing sale prices of the Company’s common stock, as quoted in the NYSE system, at the end of each quarter for 2006 and 2005. The prices reflect inter-dealer quotations, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and do not necessarily represent actual transactions:


Quarter Ended	High (1)		Low (1)

December 2006	$	6.60	$	5.57
September 2006		6.67		5.05
June 2006		7.93		6.22
March 2006		9.01		7.33

December 2005	$	9.47	$	7.33
September 2005		11.50		9.32
June 2005		10.23		8.09
March 2005		15.29		9.88


(1)		Prices in table are rounded.

On January 20, 2005, the Company’s board of directors approved an increase in its annual dividend payments to stockholders for 2005 to $0.19 per share. This represents an increase of 32.14% over the dividends paid in 2004.

On January 31, 2006, and on January 30, 2007, the Company’s board of directors approved an annual dividend payment of $0.19 per share to its stockholders for years 2006 and 2007, respectively.

As of January 31, 2007 the Company had 616 stockholders of record of its common stock, not including beneficial owners whose shares are held in record names of brokers or other nominees. The last sales price for the Company’s common stock on such date, as quoted on NYSE was $5.26 per share.

DIVIDENDS

On March 7, 2000, the Company’s board of directors adopted the policy of paying dividends on a monthly basis. Initial dividend payment under this policy, were applied retroactively for dividends corresponding to the first three-month period ended March 31, 2000. Thereafter, dividends on common stock and preferred stock are being paid on the 15th day of each month for stockholders of record as of the last day of the previous month.

The Company’s cash dividends corresponding to 2006 and 2005 were as follows:


RECORD DATE	PAYABLE DATE	AMOUNT PER SHARE ⁽¹⁾
YEAR 2006

January 31, 2006	February 15, 2006	$	0.01583
February 28, 2006	March 15, 2006		0.01583
March 31, 2006	April 17, 2006		0.01583
April 28, 2006	May 15, 2006		0.01583
May 31, 2006	June 15, 2006		0.01583
June 30, 2006	July 17, 2006		0.01583
July 31, 2006	August 15, 2006		0.01583
August 31, 2006	September 15, 2006		0.01583
September 29, 2006	October 16, 2006		0.01583
October 31, 2006	November 15, 2006		0.01583
November 30, 2006	December 15, 2006		0.01583
December 29, 2006	January 16, 2007		0.01583

Total		$	0.18996


YEAR 2005

January 31, 2005	February 15, 2005	$	0.01198
February 28, 2005	March 15, 2005		0.01583
March 31, 2005	April 15, 2005		0.01583
April 28, 2005	May 16, 2005		0.01583
May 31, 2005	June 15, 2005		0.01583
June 30, 2005	July 15, 2005		0.01583
July 31, 2005	August 15, 2005		0.01583
August 31, 2005	September 15, 2005		0.01583
September 30, 2005	October 17, 2005		0.01583
October 31, 2005	November 15, 2005		0.01583
November 30, 2005	December 15, 2005		0.01583
December 30, 2005	January 16, 2006		0.01583

Total		$	0.18611


(1)		Dividends amounts in the table are rounded.

Information concerning legal or regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by the Company and Westernbank is contained under the caption “Dividend Restrictions” in Part I, Item 1.

The Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 1994, as amended, generally imposes a withholding tax on the amount of any dividends paid by Puerto Rico corporations to individuals, whether residents of Puerto Rico or not, trusts, estates, and special partnerships at a special 10% withholding tax rate. Dividends distributed by Puerto Rico corporations to foreign corporations or partnerships not

engaged in trade or business in Puerto Rico are also generally subject to withholding tax at a 10% rate. Prior to the first dividend distribution for the taxable year, such shareholders may elect to be taxed on the dividends at the regular rates, in which case the special 10% tax will not be withheld from such year’s distributions.

United States citizens who are non-residents of Puerto Rico will not be subject to Puerto Rico tax on dividends if said individual’s gross income from sources within Puerto Rico during the taxable year does not exceed $1,300 if single, or $3,000 if married, and form AS 2732 of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department “Withholding Tax Exemption Certificate for the Purpose of Section 1147” is filed with the withholding agent. U.S. income tax law permits a credit against the U.S. income tax liability, subject to certain limitations, for certain foreign income taxes paid or deemed paid with respect to such dividends.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2006, regarding shares of common stock that may be issued to key employees under the Company’s stock option plans. The 1999 Qualified Stock Option Plan and the 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan are the only equity based compensation plans currently in effect. At December 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding 7,708,666 options under the 1999 Qualified Stock Option Plan. No options have been granted under the 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan.


			Number of securities remaining available
	Weighted-average exercise		for future issuance under equity
Number of securities to be issued upon	price of outstanding options		compensation plans (excluding securities
exercise of outstanding options (1) (2) (a)	(1) (b)		reflected in column (a)) (1) (c)


6,629,427	$	3.84		5,107,823


(1)		Adjusted to reflect a three-for-two stock split and a 2% stock dividend on the Company’s common stock declared on December 6, 2004 and December 13, 2004, respectively, distributed on January 10, 2005; the three-for-two stock split and a 2% stock dividend declared on November 4, 2003 and November 11, 2003, respectively, distributed on December 10, 2003; and the three-for-two stock split declared on June 17, 2002 and distributed on July 10, 2002.

(2)		Excludes 1,800,698 shares issued upon exercise of stock options through December 31, 2006.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

No sales of unregistered securities were made by the Company in 2006.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASES

No purchases of the Company’s common stock were made by or on behalf of the Company in 2006.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K, and the information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The selected historical consolidated financial data as of the end of and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2006, are derived from the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2006			2005			2004			2003			2002
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Income Statement Data:

Interest income	$	1,000,225		$	795,329		$	591,376		$	461,894		$	385,734
Interest expense		681,419			483,747			314,219			245,102			252,673

Net interest income		318,806			311,582			277,157			216,792			133,061
Provision for loan losses		(64,550	)		(31,000	)		(36,691	)		(27,048	)		(15,083	)

Net interest income after provision for loan losses		254,256			280,582			240,466			189,744			117,978
Noninterest income		37,098			35,820			53,628			25,295			59,244
Noninterest expenses		(124,518	)		(108,230	)		(100,125	)		(84,821	)		(73,917	)

Income before income taxes		166,836			208,172			193,969			130,218			103,305
Income taxes		(66,305	)		(45,086	)		(22,093	)		(19,263	)		(16,585	)

Net income		100,531			163,086			171,876			110,955			86,720
Preferred stock dividends		36,911			36,985			27,158			21,593			13,774

Income available to common stockholders	$	63,620		$	126,101		$	144,718		$	89,362		$	72,946


Share Data:
Basic earnings per common share (1)	$	0.39		$	0.77		$	0.89		$	0.56		$	0.48
Diluted earnings per common share (1)	$	0.38		$	0.74		$	0.86		$	0.54		$	0.48
Cash dividends declared per common share (1)(2)	$	0.19		$	0.19		$	0.14		$	0.11		$	0.09
Period end number of common shares outstanding (1)		164,487			164,098			163,919			162,624			159,992
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (1)		164,380			164,024			163,348			160,734			150,712
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis (1)		168,051			170,619			170,443			165,330			152,491
Cash dividends declared on common shares	$	31,235		$	30,575		$	23,502		$	18,322		$	14,045
Dividend payout ratio		49.10	%		24.25	%		16.24	%		20.50	%		19.26	%
Book value per share data (1)	$	4.24		$	4.04		$	3.45		$	2.70		$	2.25


	Year Ended December 31,
	2006			2005			2004			2003			2002
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Performance ratios:
Return on assets (3)		0.60	%		1.07	%		1.33	%		1.12	%		1.23	%
Return on common stockholders’ equity (3)		9.36			20.53			28.79			22.37			25.84
Efficiency ratio		34.94			30.67			30.66			32.17			40.66
Operating expenses to total end-of-period assets		0.73			0.67			0.70			0.74			0.90
Net yield on interest-earning assets		1.96			2.08			2.22			2.31			1.88

Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets	$	17,154,688		$	16,151,864		$	14,321,620		$	11,527,509		$	8,211,345
Federal funds sold and resell agreements		950,573			746,539			1,017,303			649,852			459,147
Investments securities held to maturity, securities available for sale and trading securities		7,028,120			7,079,191			6,929,260			5,778,790			3,661,944
Loans-net		8,641,023			7,815,623			5,917,352			4,683,118			3,754,357
Total liabilities		15,926,801			14,958,386			13,244,061			10,703,131			7,628,369
Total deposits		9,337,063			8,375,609			6,244,170			5,397,676			4,306,784
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		6,320,481			6,260,029			6,683,527			5,046,045			3,097,341
Stockholders’ equity		1,227,887			1,193,478			1,077,559			824,378			582,976

Capital Ratios:
Total capital to risk-weighted assets		12.51	%		13.13	%		14.90	%		13.90	%		12.79	%
Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets		11.47			12.30			14.01			13.06			11.94
Tier I capital to average assets		7.23			7.48			7.69			7.18			7.19
Equity-to-asset ratio (3)		7.27			7.45			7.36			7.13			6.87

Asset Quality Ratios:
Total non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate held for sale as a percentage of total assets at end of period		1.00	%		0.42	%		0.27	%		0.31	%		0.28	%
Total non-performing loans as a percentage of loans at end of period		1.89			0.81			0.58			0.66			0.51
Net loans charged-off to average total loans (4)		0.36			0.27			0.34			0.29			0.19
Allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period		1.45			1.17			1.34			1.30			1.24
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans		76.50			144.39			233.64			197.17			242.80


(1)		Adjusted to reflect a three-for-two stock split and 2% stock dividend declared in December 2004 and distributed on January 10, 2005; the three-for-two stock split and 2% stock dividend declared in November 2003 and distributed on December 10, 2003; and the three-for-two stock split declared in June 2002 and distributed on July 10, 2002.

(2)		Cash dividends amounts are rounded.

(3)		The return on assets is computed dividing net income by average total assets for the period. The return on common stockholders’ equity is computed by dividing net income less preferred stock dividends by average common stockholders’ equity for the period. The equity-to-asset ratio is computed by dividing average equity by average total assets. Average balances have been computed using beginning and period-end balances.

(4)		Average balances were computed using beginning and period-end balances.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This section analyzes the major elements of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Notes thereto and other detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report.

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004

OVERVIEW

Total assets at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $17.15 billion, $16.15 billion, and $14.32 billion, respectively. This growth was driven by increases in the Company’s loan portfolio. Loans receivable-net grew by $825.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, when compared to the previous year, as a result of the Company’s continued strategy of growing its variable rate loan portfolio mainly through commercial real estate collateralized, construction and land acquisition, asset-based and other industrial and agricultural commercial loans. The investment portfolio, excluding short-term money market instruments, decreased $51.1 million, from $7.08 billion at December 31, 2005, to $7.03 billion at December 31, 2006. The investment portfolio was $6.93 billion at December 31, 2004. Total deposits reached $9.34 billion, from $8.38 billion at December 31, 2005, and $6.24 billion at year end 2004.

Net income was $100.5 million, $163.1 million and $171.9 million and earnings per basic common share were $0.39 ($0.38 on a diluted basis), $0.77 ($0.74 on a diluted basis), and $0.89 ($0.86 on a diluted basis) for the years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2006, when compared to year 2005, was attributed to an increase of $33.6 million in the provision for loan losses (mainly attributed to the loan portfolio of the Company’s asset-based lending division), an increase of $16.3 million in noninterest expenses and an increase of $21.2 million in the provision for income taxes. Such increases were partially offset by an increase of $7.2 million in net interest income. In 2005, even though net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased by $34.4 million and the provision for loan losses was $5.7 million lower than that for the comparable prior year, net income was also impacted by the flat to inverted yield curve effect, a decrease of $20.5 million in net gain on derivative instruments, an increase of $8.1 million on noninterest expense and a significantly higher provision for income taxes of $23.0 million. In the year 2005, the Company recorded a charge of $6.7 million ($4.1 million, net of taxes), mainly as a result of the change in the fair value during the year of certain interest rate swaps on a portion of the Company’s brokered deposits. The Company has maintained strong asset quality control, resulting in returns on average assets (“ROA”) of 0.60%, 1.07% and 1.33% and returns on average common stockholders’ equity (“ROCE”) of 9.36%, 20.53%, and 28.79% for the years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NET INTEREST INCOME

The Company’s principal source of earnings is its net interest income. This is the difference between interest income on loans and invested assets (“interest-earning assets”) and its interest expense on deposits and borrowings, including federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements and advances from the FHLB (“interest-bearing liabilities”). Loan origination and commitments fees, net of related costs, are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loans as a yield adjustment. Gains or losses on the sale of loans and investments, service charges, fees and other income, also affect income. In addition, the Company’s net income is affected by the level of its non-interest expenses, such as the provision for loan losses, compensation, employees’ benefits, occupancy costs, other operating expenses and income taxes.

The main objective of the Company’s Asset and Liability Management program is to invest funds judiciously and reduce interest rate risks while optimizing net income and maintaining adequate liquidity levels. As further discussed in Item 7A: “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, the Company uses several tools to manage the risks associated with the composition and repricing of assets and liabilities. Therefore, management has followed a conservative practice inclined towards the preservation of capital with adequate returns. The Company’s Investment Committee, which includes the entire Board of Directors and senior management, is responsible for the asset-liability management oversight. The Investment Department is responsible for implementing the policies established by the Investment Committee.

2006 VERSUS 2005. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $318.8 million, an increase of $7.2 million or 2.32%, from $311.6 million for the prior year. The increase in 2006 was the result of increases in interest income from loans, investment securities, mainly in short-term tax-exempt securities such as U.S. Government Agencies discount notes, and money market instruments, which was partially offset by a decrease in interest income on mortgage-backed securities and increases in interest expense on all the components of the interest-bearing liabilities.

Average interest-earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $1.35 billion or 9.01%, compared to year 2005, primarily driven by a rise in the average loan portfolio of $1.32 billion or 18.92%, particularly in the commercial real estate collateralized and commercial, industrial and agricultural loan (“Commercial and C&I loans”) and in the construction loan portfolios, and an increase of $252.2 million or 4.02% in the average investment portfolio, excluding short-term money market instruments. The average mortgage-backed securities and the average money market instruments decreased by $120.0 million or 15.95% and $105.6 million or 11.10%, respectively. Changes in the investments portfolio are attributable to the reinvestment on short-term tax-exempt securities, specifically U.S. Government Agencies discount notes, as part of management’s strategy of growing the Company’s tax exempt interest income. The average yield earned on interest-earning assets increased 81 basis points from 5.32% to 6.13%, for the year ended December 31, 2006, when compared to year 2005. The increase in the average yield for the year ended December 31, 2006, was mainly due to higher average yields earned on the loan portfolio, higher reinvestment rates on matured and called securities and higher yields earned on mortgage-backed securities and money market instruments. The increase in the average yield earned on the loan portfolio was due to new higher yielding loans and the repricing of existing floating and adjustable rate Commercial and C&I loans. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Federal Reserve increased the discount rate by 100 basis points, which is reflected equally on the Prime Rate, the index used by the Bank to reprice most of its floating and adjustable rate commercial loans.

The impact of the strong growth in average interest-earning assets was in part offset by an increase in the average interest-bearing liabilities of $1.25 billion or 8.96% for the year 2006, when compared to year 2005. The overall cost of funds increased 101 basis points, from 3.47% for year 2005, to 4.48% for year 2006. The average interest rate paid on deposits increased 90 basis points, from 3.27% in 2005, to 4.17% for 2006, and the average interest rates paid on federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements increased 122 basis points, from 3.67% in 2005, to 4.89% in 2006. The average interest rate paid on advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank also increased by 117 basis points, from 4.17% in 2005, to 5.34% in 2006. As explained before, during the year ended December 31, 2006, short-term interest rates continued rising with the LIBOR rate, the rate used by the Company to reprice most of its interest-bearing liabilities, increasing 82 basis points. Meanwhile, the Company’s rates paid for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by 101 basis points or 123.17%, of said increase of the LIBOR rate.

The Company’s net yield on interest-earning assets decreased 12 basis points in 2006, to 1.96%. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to the fact that the upward repricing of the Company’s interest-earning assets lagged behind the increase in the cost of funds of its interest-bearing liabilities.

2005 VERSUS 2004. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2005, was $311.6 million, an increase of $34.4 million, or 12.42%, from $277.2 million for the prior year. The increase in 2005 was the result of increases in interest income from loans, investment securities, mainly in tax-exempt securities, and money market instruments, which was partially offset by a decrease in interest income on mortgage-backed securities and increases in interest expense on deposits, on federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Average interest-earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2005, increased by $2.47 billion or 19.81%, compared to year 2004, primarily driven by a rise in the average loan portfolio of $1.58 billion, particularly due to increases in the portfolio of commercial real estate and commercial, industrial and agricultural loan (“Commercial and C&I Loans) portfolios, including asset-based, in the residential real estate-mortgage loans portfolio (including commercial loans mainly secured by individual mortgages on one-to-four family residential properties), and an increase of $866.2 million or 16.04% in the average investment portfolio, excluding short-term money market instruments. The average mortgage-backed securities decreased by $182.6 million or 19.52%, while the average money market instruments increased by $205.2 million or 27.51%. The increase in the average investment portfolio was primarily in tax exempt securities, such as U.S. Government and agencies obligations as a result of the securities bought during the latter part of 2004 and the reinvestment of approximately $150.0 million previously invested in short-term money market instruments into short-term tax exempt securities, specifically US Government Agencies discount notes. Notwithstanding, average yields earned in interest-earning assets increased 58 basis points, from 4.74% in year 2004, to 5.32% for the year ended 2005. The increase in the average yield was mainly due to higher average yields earned on the loan portfolio, mortgage-backed securities and money market instruments, while the remaining investment portfolio yield remained relatively flat increasing by only 2 basis points to 3.95% at December 31, 2005. The increase in the average yield earned on the loan portfolio was due to new higher yielding and the repricing of existing Commercial and C&I loans and residential real estate at floating rates. During the last quarter of 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2005, the Federal Reserve increased the discount rate by 250 basis points, reflected equally on the Prime Rate, an index used by the Bank to reprice most of its floating rate loans.

The impact of the strong growth in average interest-earning assets was in part offset by an increase in the average interest-bearing liabilities of $2.20 billion or 18.67% for the year 2005, when compared to 2004. In addition, deposits grew on average by $1.45 billion or 24.57%, during the year ended December 31, 2005. Other borrowings on average (federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and advances from FHLB) also increased by $741.8 million or 12.70% when compared to 2004. The overall cost of funds increased 80 basis points, from 2.67% for the year ended December 31, 2004, to 3.47% for year 2005. The average interest rate paid on deposits increased 46 basis points, from 2.81% in 2004, to 3.27% for 2005, and the average interest rates paid on federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements increased 118 basis points, from 2.49% in 2004, to 3.67% in 2005. The average interest rate paid on advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank also increased by 17 basis points, from 4.00% in 2004, to 4.17% in 2005. The Company was able to successfully lag its cost of rates paid during the year ended December 31, 2005, despite a rising rate trend. During the last quarter of 2004 and the year 2005, short-term interest rates continued rising with the LIBOR rate, the rate used by the Company to reprice most of its interest-bearing liabilities, increasing 251 basis points. Meanwhile, the Company’s cost of funds paid for the year ended December 31, 2005, increased by 80 basis points or 31.87%, of said increase of the LIBOR rate.

The Company’s net yield on interest-earning assets decreased 14 basis points in 2005, to 2.08%. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to an increase in the general cost of funding of the Company, which increased at a faster pace than the increase in our yield on interest earning assets. This contraction is primarily due to the flat to inverted yield curve effect.


	YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
	2006								2005								2004
			Average			Average					Average			Average					Average			Average
	Interest		balance (1)			Yield / Rate			Interest		balance (1)			Yield / Rate			Interest		balance (1)			Yield / Rate
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Normal Spread:
Interest-earning assets:
Loans, including loan fees (2)	$	671,530	$	8,308,353			8.08	%	$	479,042	$	6,986,626			6.86	%	$	322,164	$	5,401,955			5.96	%
Investment securities (3)		261,971		6,519,398			4.02			247,533		6,267,159			3.95			212,213		5,400,997			3.93
Mortgage-backed securities (4)		28,489		632,792			4.50			32,321		752,839			4.29			37,489		935,421			4.01
Money market instruments		38,235		845,375			4.52			36,433		950,980			3.83			19,510		745,828			2.62

Total		1,000,225		16,305,918			6.13			795,329		14,957,604			5.32			591,376		12,484,201			4.74


Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits		366,063		8,771,531			4.17			241,268		7,376,605			3.27			166,237		5,921,733			2.81
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		307,463		6,290,818			4.89			234,791		6,398,451			3.67			141,414		5,676,595			2.49
Advances from FHLB		7,893		147,780			5.34			7,688		184,153			4.17			6,568		164,245			4.00

Total		681,419		15,210,129			4.48			483,747		13,959,209			3.47			314,219		11,762,573			2.67


Net interest income	$	318,806							$	311,582							$	277,157

Interest rate spread							1.65	%							1.85	%							2.07	%

Net interest-earning assets			$	1,095,789							$	998,395							$	721,628

Net yield on interest-earning assets (5)							1.96	%							2.08	%							2.22	%

Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities				107.20	%							107.15	%							106.13	%


Tax Equivalent Spread:
Interest-earnings assets	$	1,000,225	$	16,305,918			6.13	%	$	795,329	$	14,957,604			5.32	%	$	591,376	$	12,484,201			4.74	%
Tax equivalent adjustment		16,502		—			0.11			41,305		—			0.27			53,555		—			0.43

Interest-earning assets - tax equivalent		1,016,727		16,305,918			6.24			836,634		14,957,604			5.59			644,931		12,484,201			5.17

Interest-bearing liabilities		681,419	$	15,210,129			4.48			483,747	$	13,959,209			3.47			314,219	$	11,762,573			2.67

Net interest income	$	335,308							$	352,887							$	330,712

Interest rate spread							1.76	%							2.12	%							2.50	%

Net yield on interest- earning assets (5)							2.06	%							2.36	%							2.65	%


(1)		Average balance on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is computed using daily monthly average balances during the period.

(2)		Average loans exclude non-performing loans. Loans fees, net amounted to $16.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, and $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

(3)		Includes available for sale securities.

(4)		Includes trading and available for sale securities.

(5)		Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.


	Year ended December 31,
	2006 vs. 2005									2005 vs. 2004
	Volume			Rate			Total			Volume			Rate			Total
	(In thousands)
Interest income:
Loans	$	98,956		$	93,532		$	192,488		$	103,874		$	53,004		$	156,878
Investment securities (1)		10,084			4,354			14,438			34,205			1,115			35,320
Mortgage-backed securities (2)		(5,515	)		1,683			(3,832	)		(8,138	)		2,970			(5,168	)
Money market instruments		(4,324	)		6,126			1,802			6,294			10,629			16,923

Total increase in interest income		99,201			105,695			204,896			136,235			67,718			203,953

Interest expense:
Deposits		50,744			74,051			124,795			44,875			30,156			75,031
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		(3,880	)		76,552			72,672			19,785			73,592			93,377
Advances from FHLB		(495	)		700			205			822			298			1,120

Total increase in interest expense		46,369			151,303			197,672			65,482			104,046			169,528

Increase (decrease) in net interest income	$	52,832		$	(45,608	)	$	7,224		$	70,753		$	(36,328	)	$	34,425


(1)		Includes available for sale securities.

(2)		Includes trading and available for sale securities.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

The 2006 provision for loan losses was $64.6 million, an increase of $33.6 million or 108.29% when compared to 2005. Net charge-offs during 2006 amounted to $30.1 million, which when subtracted from the provision for loan losses of $64.6 million resulted in a net increase in the allowance for loan losses of $34.5 million. The 2005 provision for loan losses was $31.0 million, a decrease of $5.7 million or 15.51% when compared to 2004. Net charge-offs during 2005 amounted to $18.7 million, which when subtracted from the provision for loan losses of $31.0 million resulted in a net increase in the allowance for loan losses of $12.3 million.

The increase in the provision for loan losses for 2006 is attributable to the following factors: first, the overall growth in the Company’s loan portfolio, mainly those of its Commercial and C&I loans; and second, to higher non-performing loans, net loans charged-off and specific reserves during the periods, principally in the loan portfolio of the Company’s asset-based lending division. Commercial and C&I loan portfolio grew to $6.22 billion at December 31, 2006, an increase of $946.8 million or 17.95%, when compared to December 31, 2005. Westernbank Business Credit loan portfolio grew to $1.46 billion at December 31, 2006, an increase of $193.2 million or 15.28%, when compared to December 31, 2005.

The provision for loan losses for Westernbank Business Credit division accounted for $57.5 million or 89.01% of the total provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2006, while for year 2005, it accounted for $22.4 million or 72.33% of the total provision for loan losses. The increase of $35.1 million in the provision for loan losses for Westernbank Business Credit division for 2006 is mainly attributable to two factors: first, the increase in the Division’s loan portfolio from $1.26 billion at December 31, 2005, to $1.46 billion at December 31, 2006; and second, the increase in classified loans of the Division’s loans portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company classified three loans of the Division’s loan portfolio with outstanding principal balances of $44.9 million, $40.5 million and $7.3 million at December 31, 2006. These loans required valuation allowances as follows: $11.4 million for the $44.9 million loan (after a partial charge-off of $7.5 million), $15.2 million for the $40.5 million loan and $2.5 million for the $7.3 million loan (after a partial charge-off of $3.0 million). These loans are current and have not missed their payment schedules but have shortfalls in the collaterals and in the financial condition of the borrowers. The average yield of Westernbank Business Credit Division’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2006, was 9.47%.

The provision for loan losses for the consumer loan portfolio, including the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio, increased by $824,000 or 11.58%, from $7.1 million for the year 2005 to $7.9 million for the year 2006. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the delinquency levels of the consumer loan portfolio at December 31, 2006. The delinquency ratio on the consumer loan portfolio, including the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio, for the categories of 60 days and over increased by 39 basis points, to 1.52% at December 31, 2006, when compared to 1.13% for the comparable period last year. The increase in the delinquency ratio of the consumer loans portfolio is mainly attributable to regular consumer loans past due over 60 days which are collateralized by real estate properties.

At December 31, 2006, the allowance for loan losses was $126.8 million or 1.45% of total loans, and 76.50% of total non-performing loans (reserve coverage), compared to an allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2005, of $92.4 million or 1.17% of total loans, and 144.39% of total non-performing loans. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans ratio was principally due to the increase in non-performing loans in Commercial & C&I non-performing loans, mainly from the Company’s asset based lending division.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, net loan charge-offs amounted to $30.1 million or 0.36% to average loans, an increase of $11.5 million or 61.37%, when compared to $18.7 million or 0.27% to average loans in 2005. The increase in loans charged-off for the year ended December 31, 2006, when compared to the same period in 2005, is mainly attributed to an increase of $14.6 million in Commercial and C&I loans charged-off. Such increase in the Commercial and C&I loans charged-off resulted principally from loans charged-off on the Company’s asset based lending division. During the year 2006, the Company partially charged-off three loans of its asset based lending division with outstanding principal balances after charge-offs of $44.9 million, $7.3 million and $3.1 million, at December 31, 2006, as follows: $7.5 million on the $44.9 million loan, $3.0 million on the $7.3 million loan and $5.3 million on the $3.1 million loan. These loans are current and have not missed their payment schedules but have shortfalls in the collaterals and in the financial condition of the borrowers. At December 31, 2006, these loans required valuation allowances as follows: $11.4 million for the $44.9 million loan and $2.5 million for the $7.3 million loan. The $3.1 million loan did not require a valuation allowance at December 31, 2006.

Consumer loan charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2006, were $12.6 million, an improvement of $1.2 million or 8.93%, when compared to $13.8 million for the same period in 2005. Such improvement is principally attributed to lower charge-offs by the Expresso of Westernbank division, the principal component of the consumer loan charge-offs. Loans charged-off by the Expresso of Westernbank division decreased from $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, to $8.9 million for the same period in 2006, a decrease of $836,000. This is the result of management’s strategy of stabilizing loan losses and increasing the overall rates charged of the Expresso loan portfolio by continuously reviewing its underwriting policies and increasing the level of collateralized loans. The average yield of the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was 23.74% at December 31, 2006. Also, the portion of the loan portfolio of Expresso of Westernbank collateralized by real estate at December 31, 2006, already accounts for 20% of the outstanding balance.

The decrease in the provision for loan losses from 2004 to 2005 was attributed to lower net charge offs of the Expresso of Westernbank division loan portfolio and relatively stable delinquencies in our commercial and consumer loan portfolios during the year 2005, when compared to the same period in 2004. The provision for loan losses for Westernbank Business Credit division accounted for $22.4 million or 72.33% of the total provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2005, while for year 2004, it accounted for $6.0 million or 16.33% of the total provision for loan losses. The increase of $16.4 million in the provision for loan losses for Westernbank Business Credit division is mainly attributable to two factors; first, an increase in the division loss ratio as a result of a $5.3 million partial charge-off of one loan that was acquired in the original purchased loan portfolio of this division on June 15, 2001. The remaining outstanding principal balance of this loan at December 31, 2005, is $10.1 million, with a specific valuation allowance of $6.8 million. Second, the increase in the specific reserves of two loans of the division loan portfolio during the fourth quarter of year 2005. Outstanding principal balances on these loans were $10.1 million (as explained above) and $14.1 million at December 31, 2005, with specific reserves of $6.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively. The provision for loan losses for the consumer loan portfolio decreased by $10.0 million, from 2004 to 2005. This decrease was primarily due to the relatively stable delinquency levels at the consumer loans portfolio, the decrease in the outstanding balance of the loan

portfolio of the Expresso of Westernbank and the decrease in net charge-offs, principally in the Expresso of Westernbank division loan portfolio. The decrease in the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was mainly due to management’s strategy of stabilizing charge-offs as the division’s portfolio matures and average yield continues to increase.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, net charge-offs to average loans decreased from 0.34% for the year 2004, to 0.27% for the year 2005. In absolute dollar amounts, net charge-offs remained relatively unchanged at $18.7 million, when compared to $18.2 million in 2004. Commercial loans charged-off were $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, when compared to $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, an increase of $2.8 million or 51.54%. The increase in Commercial and C&I loans charged-off was primarily due to the partial charge-off of $5.3 million of one loan that was acquired in the original purchased loan portfolio of Westernbank Business Credit division on June 15, 2001. The remaining outstanding principal balance of this loan at December 31, 2005, was $10.1 million with a specific allowance of $6.8 million. Loans charged-off in the consumer loans portfolio decreased by $2.7 million or 16.17%, from $16.5 million in 2004, to $13.8 million in 2005. The decrease is principally attributable to lower charge-offs by the Expresso of Westernbank division, the principal component of the consumer loans charged- offs. Loans charged-off by the Expresso of Westernbank division decreased from $12.4 million for year 2004, to $9.8 million for year 2005, a decrease of $2.6 million or 20.97%. Management strategy of stabilizing charge-offs and increasing the yield of the Expresso loan portfolio by continuously reviewing its underwriting policies, increasing the level of collateralized loans, and increasing the overall rates charged has resulted in lower levels in net charge-offs and a higher yield. The average yield of the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was 23.15% at December 31, 2005. Also, the loan portfolio of Expresso of Westernbank collateralized by real estate at December 31, 2005, already accounts for 15% of the outstanding balance. The accounts written-off are submitted to the Collections Department recovery unit for continued collection efforts. Recoveries made from accounts previously written-off amounted to $3.5 million in 2005 and $4.0 million in 2004.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of the allowance is based on management’s evaluation of various conditions as the existing general economic and business conditions affecting key lending areas; terms, nature and volume of the portfolio, credit quality trends including trends in non-performing loans expected to result from existing conditions, evaluation of the collectibility of the loan portfolio, collateral values, credit concentrations, trends in historical loss experience, specific impaired loans and delinquency trends, among other factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Allowances for impaired loans are generally determined based on collateral values or the present value of estimated cash flows. Although no assurance can be given, management believes that the present allowance for loan losses is adequate considering loss experience, delinquency trends and current economic conditions. Management regularly reviews the Company’s loan loss allowance as its loan portfolio grows and diversifies. For a more detailed discussion of the factors affecting the provision for loan losses and changes in the underlying factors affecting the components of the Allowance for Loan Losses refer to “Financial Condition — Allowance for Loan Losses” and Item I, “Business — Allowance for Loan Losses”.

NONINTEREST INCOME

For the year ended December 31, 2006, noninterest income increased $1.3 million or 3.57%, when compared to year 2005. This increase was mainly the result of an increase of $4.2 million or 12.61% in service fees and other fees and commissions due to higher activity resulting from the Company’s overall growing volume of business. Such increase was partially offset by a negative variance of $1.2 million on net gain on derivative instruments, as a result of the mark to market of such positions. Also, during the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded a loss of $1.8 million on other-than-temporarily impaired investments, mainly related to certain investments in Puerto Rico Government Obligations that were downgraded by one notch below investment grade in May 2006.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, noninterest income decreased $17.8 million or 33.21%, when compared to the same period in 2004. This decrease was mainly due to a decrease of $20.5 million in the net gain on derivative instruments as a result of the change in the fair value during the year, including the net cash settlements, of certain interest rate swaps. Net gain on sales and valuation of loans held for sale, securities, and other assets also decreased by $2.1 million, as a result of a realized gain of $525,000 on an investment security during the third quarter of 2004 and higher realized gains on loans securitized or sold in the secondary market in 2004. Such decreases were partially offset by an increase of $4.8 million or 16.72% in service and other charges on loans, deposits and other fees and commissions.

NONINTEREST EXPENSES

Total noninterest expenses increased $16.3 million or 15.05% and $8.1 million or 8.09% in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Salaries and employees’ benefits, the largest component of total noninterest expenses, increased $7.7 million or 16.56% and $8.3 million or 21.76% in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Such increases are attributed to the increases in personnel, normal salary increases and related employees’ benefits, principally related to the Company’s continued expansion in all of its business areas, mainly in the San Juan Metropolitan area. In March 2005, the Company opened its new state of the art mega branch in the eastern region of Puerto Rico, in the city of Humacao. In October 2005, the Company opened its second branch in the eastern region of Puerto Rico, in the city of Fajardo. In December 2005, the Company opened a mega branch in the Condado area in the city of San Juan and in September 2006, the Company opened its newest mega branch in the city of Bayamón. Also, during the first quarter of year 2006, the Company established Westernbank International Trade Services (“WITS”), a division of Westernbank Puerto Rico that provides international trade products and services to customers. At December 31, 2006, the Company had 1,363 full-time employees, including its executive officers, an increase of 52 employees or 3.97% since December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, the Company had 1,311 full-time employees, including its executive officers, an increase of 136 employees or 11.57% since December 31, 2004.

Depreciation, maintenance and related equipment expenses increased $2.1 million or 21.52% and $109,000 or 1.15%, for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. This is the result of the continued growth of the Company’s branch network, as explained in the above paragraph.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, advertising expense remained relatively unchanged at $9.1 million, when compared to year 2005. Such stability was mainly due to strict control measures implemented during the year 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2005, advertising expense decreased by $1.3 million or 12.83%, when compared to year 2004, as the Company concluded its radio, newspaper and television campaign promoting Westernbank’s institutional image and positioning the Company for its strategy in the San Juan metropolitan area that was in effect during most of the year 2004.

Noninterest expenses, as a group, excluding salaries and employees’ benefits, depreciation, maintenance and related equipment expenses, and advertising, increased $6.5 million or 15.23%, during the year ended December 31, 2006, from $42.9 million in 2005, to $49.4 million in 2006, compared to an increase of $1.0 million or 2.41%, from $41.9 million in 2004. These increases resulted primarily from costs associated with the additional investment in technology and general infrastructure to sustain and coordinate the Company’s growth and expansion in all of its business areas.

The Company continued its strict cost control measures, maintaining operating expenses at adequate levels, as evidenced by its efficiency ratios of 34.94%, 30.67% and 30.66% for the years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

Under Puerto Rico income tax laws, the Company is required to pay the higher of an alternative minimum tax of 22% or regular statutory rates ranging from 20% to 39%, except for years 2005 and 2006, in which two transitory additional income taxes of 2.5% and 2.0% over net taxable income were imposed by the Governor of Puerto Rico under Law No. 41, signed on August 1, 2005, effectively increasing the maximum statutory regular tax rate to 41.5% in 2005 and 43.5% in 2006. The transitory income taxes of 2% and 2.5% (the latter was approved by the Government of Puerto Rico on August 1, 2005) were intended to be temporary in nature and ended on December 31, 2006. The Company’s effective tax rate is below the statutory rate, being 39.7%, 21.7% and 11.4% for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The significant increase in the effective tax rate in year 2006 when compared to years 2005 and 2004 is attributed to the factors explained below.

The provision for income taxes increased $21.2 million or 47.06% for the year ended December 31, 2006, when compared to the same period in 2005. The current provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2006, amounted to $76.6 million, compared to $52.5 million in 2005 and $28.2 million in 2004. The increase in the current provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2006, when compared to 2005, is attributed to three factors. First, on May 13, 2006, with an effective date of January 1, 2006, the Puerto Rico Legislature approved Law No. 89, which imposes an additional 2.0% tax on all companies covered by the Puerto Rico Banking Act, as amended, such as Westernbank. This transitory income tax of 2% amounted to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Second, the increase in the Company’s taxable income derived from the increase in its loan portfolio has changed the mix between exempt and taxable income, therefore increasing the Company’s effective tax rate. Third, for the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company accrued $10.2 million for income tax contingencies.

For year 2005, the increase in the current provision for income taxes for 2005, when compared to 2004, is attributed to two factors. First, the transitory additional surtax of 2.5% over net taxable income, explained above, resulted in an additional current income tax provision of $3.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. Second, the significant increase in the Company’s taxable income derived from increases in the loans portfolio; changing the proportion between exempt and taxable income, and therefore increasing the Company’s effective tax rate.

The Company evaluates and assesses the relative risks and appropriate tax treatment of transactions and filing positions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other information and maintains tax accruals consistent with its evaluation of these relative risks and merits. Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due, among other, to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by taxing authorities and changes to statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance that impact the relative risks of tax positions. These changes, when they occur, can affect the income tax accruals as well as the current period’s income tax expense and can be significant to the operating results of the Company. The Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition include an accrual of $10.9 million and $667,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, for the exposures resulting from tax positions identified by the Company in connection with this evaluation.

Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of credit, operating and capital losses carryforwards, and “temporary differences” between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their respective tax bases. The deferred income tax credit increased in 2006 and in 2005. Changes in years 2006 and 2005, are attributable to temporary differences in the recognition of certain items for tax and books, principally changes in the allowance for loan losses and in the unrealized loss on derivative instruments (See Note 11 — Income Taxes — to the consolidated financial statements).

NET INCOME

The Company’s net income decreased $62.6 million or 38.36% from 2005 to 2006 and $8.8 million or 5.11% from 2004 to 2005. The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2006, when compared to year 2005, was attributed to an increase of $33.6 million in the provision for loan losses, an increase of $16.3 million in noninterest expenses and an increase of $21.2 million in the provision for income taxes. Such increases were partially offset by an increase of $7.2 million or 2.32% in net interest income. The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2005, when compared to year 2004, was impacted by an increase of $34.4 million in net interest income as a result of higher yields on the average loan portfolio and in the average money market instruments portfolio, a provision for loan losses $5.7 million lower than that for the comparable prior year, a decrease of $20.5 million in the gain on derivative instruments, an increase of $8.1 million in noninterest expense and a significantly higher provision for income taxes of $23.0 million.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

LOANS

Loans receivable-net were $8.64 billion or 50.37% of total assets at December 31, 2006, an increase of $825.4 million, or 10.56%, from December 31, 2005. Loans, net were $7.82 billion or 48.39% of total assets at December 31, 2005, an increase of $1.90 billion or 32.08%, from $5.92 billion or 41.32% of total assets at December 31, 2004.

The Company continues to focus on growing its commercial loans portfolio through commercial real estate, construction and land acquisition, asset-based and other commercial loans. As a result, the commercial real estate mortgage loan portfolio increased $685.7 million or 16.09%, from $4.26 billion at December 31, 2005, to $4.95 billion at December 31, 2006. Commercial real estate mortgage loan portfolio increased $1.11 billion or 35.05%, from $3.15 billion at December 31, 2004. The commercial, industrial and agricultural loan portfolio was $1.27 billion as of December 31, 2006, an increase of $261.1 million or 25.78%, from $1.01 billion at December 31, 2005. The commercial, industrial and agricultural loan portfolio increased by $244.5 million or 31.81%, from $768.6 million at December 31, 2004. The residential real estate-mortgage loan portfolio, which includes commercial loans mainly secured by individual mortgages on one-to-four family residential properties, decreased from $1.30 billion as of December 31, 2005, to $1.01 billion as of December 31, 2006. The residential real estate-mortgage loans portfolio was $879.1 million as of December 31, 2004. Consumer and other loans portfolio, including the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio, credit cards and loans on deposits decreased from $830.4 million as of December 31, 2005, to $810.0 million as of December 31, 2006. Consumer and other loans portfolio was $866.9 million at December 31, 2004.

Westernbank’s commercial real estate and other loans are primarily variable and adjustable rate products. Commercial loan originations come from existing customers as well as through direct solicitation and referrals. Westernbank offers different types of consumer loans, including secured and unsecured products, in order to provide a full range of financial services to its retail customers. In addition, Westernbank offers VISA ^(™) and MasterCard ^(™) accounts to its customers.

During the last five fiscal years, loans have grown at an average annualized rate of 24.58%. As of December 31, 2006, Commercial and C&I and construction loans were 80.35% (81.65% of which are collateralized by real estate) and consumer loans were 9.37% (60.59% of which are collateralized by real estate) of the $8.64 billion loan portfolio-net, compared to Commercial and C&I and construction loans of 67.47% (80.79% collateralized by real estate) and consumer loans of 10.62% (70.56% collateralized by real estate) of the $7.82 billion loan portfolio-net as of December 31, 2005. This has enabled Westernbank to shift its asset composition to assets with shorter maturities and greater repricing flexibility. The Company has also continued to diversify Westernbank’s sources of revenue, while maintaining its status as a secured lender, with approximately 83% of its loans collateralized by real estate as of December 31, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, Westernbank Business Credit and Expresso of Westernbank divisions’ loan portfolios amounted to $1.46 billion and $129.0 million, respectively, compared to loan portfolios of $1.26 billion and $135.0 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2005. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the average yields of Westernbank Business Credit and the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolios were 9.47% and 8.24%, and 23.74% and 23.15%, respectively.

The following table sets forth the composition of the Westernbank’s loan portfolio at the dates indicated.


	At December 31,
	2006						2005						2004						2003						2002
	Amount			Percent			Amount			Percent			Amount			Percent			Amount			Percent			Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial real estate — mortgage (1)	$	4,945,932			57.2	%	$	4,260,258			54.5	%	$	3,154,679			53.3	%	$	2,261,465			48.3	%	$	1,647,602			38.9	%
Residential real estate — mortgage (2)		1,014,957			11.8			1,298,535			16.6			879,056			14.9			894,007			19.1			844,803			22.5
Construction — mortgage		722,789			8.4			505,760			6.5			328,145			5.5			202,600			4.3			181,266			4.8
Commercial, industrial and agricultural (1)		1,274,236			14.7			1,013,092			13.0			768,604			13.0			524,747			11.2			384,200			15.2
Consumer and others (3) (4)		809,953			9.4			830,384			10.6			866,934			14.6			861,907			18.4			743,600			19.8

Total loans		8,767,867			101.5			7,908,029			101.2			5,997,418			101.3			4,744,726			101.3			3,801,471			101.2

Allowance for loan losses		(126,844	)		(1.5	)		(92,406	)		(1.2	)		(80,066	)		(1.3	)		(61,608	)		(1.3	)		(47,114	)		(1.2	)


Loans — net	$	8,641,023			100.0	%	$	7,815,623			100.0	%	$	5,917,352			100.0	%	$	4,683,118			100.0	%	$	3,754,357			100.00	%


(1)		Includes $1.46 billion, $1.26 billion, $831.1 million, $641.1 million and $427.7 million of Westernbank Business Credit division outstanding loans at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(2)		Includes fixed and floating interest rate loans to two mortgage originators groups in Puerto Rico mainly secured by mortgages on one-to-four family residential properties as follows: $940.0 million, $1.14 billion, $745.0 million, $750.6 million and $701.6 million at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(3)		Includes $129.0 million, $135.0 million, $144.0 million, $155.6 million and $117.4 million of Expresso of Westernbank division outstanding loans at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(4)		Includes $490.7 million, $585.9 million, $585.2 million, $521.6 million and $447.9 million collateralized by real estates at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, respectively.

Westernbank originated $1.87 billion of commercial real estate mortgage loans, including construction loans, during the year ended December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2006, commercial real estate mortgage loans totaled $4.96 billion. In general, commercial real estate mortgage loans are considered by management to be of somewhat greater risk of uncollectibility than residential lending because such loans are typically larger in size and more risk is concentrated in a single borrower. In addition, the borrower’s ability to repay a commercial loan or a construction loan depends, in the case of a commercial loan, on the successful operation of the business or the property securing the loan and, in the case of a construction loan, on the successful completion and sale or operation of the project. Substantially all of the Company’s borrowers and properties and other collateral securing the commercial, real estate mortgage and consumer loans are located in Puerto Rico. These loans may be subject to a greater risk of default if the Puerto Rico economy suffers adverse economic, political or business developments, or if natural disasters affect Puerto Rico. Foreign loans, mainly to entities in Canada and in the United Kingdom, amounted to $109.3 million at December 31, 2006.


			Maturities
					After one year to five years				After five years
			One year or		Fixed		Variable		Fixed		Variable
	Balance outstanding		less		interest		interest		interest		interest
	(In thousands)

Commercial real estate — mortgage	$	4,945,932	$	1,503,741	$	349,206	$	774,960	$	125,973	$	2,192,052
Residential real estate — mortgage (1)		1,014,957		8,194		51,921		7		918,186		36,649
Construction — mortgage		722,789		502,411		—		220,378		—		—
Commercial, industrial and agricultural		1,274,236		491,124		17,310		636,541		54,349		74,912
Consumer and others		809,953		135,469		167,245		8,188		82,826		416,225

Total	$	8,767,867	$	2,640,939	$	585,682	$	1,640,074	$	1,181,334	$	2,719,838


(1)		Includes fixed and floating interest rate loans to two mortgage originator groups in Puerto Rico mainly secured by mortgages on one-to-four familiy residential properties with an outstanding principal balance of $940.0 million at December 31, 2006.

Westernbank’s loan originations come from a number of sources. The primary sources for residential loan originations are depositors and walk-in customers. Commercial loan originations come from existing customers as well as through direct solicitation and referrals.

Westernbank’s practice is that its limited production and origination of residential real estate loans are mostly conforming loans, eligible for sale in the secondary market. The loan-to-value ratio at the time of origination on residential mortgages is generally 75%, except that Westernbank may lend up to 90% of the lower of the purchase price or appraised value of residential properties if private mortgage insurance is obtained by the borrower for amounts in excess of 80%.

Westernbank originates fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans secured by a first mortgage on the borrower’s real property, payable in monthly installments for terms ranging from ten to forty-five years. Adjustable rates are indexed to specified prime or LIBOR rate. All 30 year conforming mortgage loans are originated with the intent to sell. Westernbank has also granted loans, mainly secured by first mortgages on one-to-four residential properties, to mortgage originators in Puerto Rico. During the first half of the year ended December 31, 2005, Westernbank granted $600.5 million of such loans.

Westernbank offers different types of consumer loans in order to provide a full range of financial services to its customers. Within the different types of consumer loans offered by Westernbank, there are various types of secured and unsecured consumer loans with varying amortization schedules. In addition, Westernbank makes fixed-rate residential second mortgage consumer loans. In July 2002, Westernbank launched a new banking division focused on offering consumer loans that now has 20 full-service branches, called “Expresso of Westernbank”, denoting the branches’ emphasis on small, unsecured consumer loans up to $15,000 and collateralized consumer loans up to $150,000.

NON-PERFORMING LOANS AND FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE HELD FOR SALE

When a borrower fails to make a required payment on a loan, Westernbank attempts to cure the deficiency by contacting the borrower. In most cases, deficiencies are cured promptly. If the delinquency exceeds 90 days and is not cured through normal collection procedures, Westernbank will generally institute measures to remedy the default. If a foreclosure action is instituted and the loan is not cured, paid in full or refinanced, the property is sold at a judicial sale at which Westernbank may acquire the property. In the event that the property is sold at a price insufficient to cover the balance of the loan, the debtor remains liable for the deficiency. Thereafter, if Westernbank acquires the property, such acquired property is appraised and included in the foreclosed real estate held for sale account at the fair value at the date of acquisition. Then, this asset is carried at the lower of fair value less estimated costs to sell or cost until the property is sold.

The following table sets forth information regarding non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate held for sale by Westernbank at the dates indicated:


	December 31,
	2006			2005			2004			2003			2002
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate — mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans	$	154,862		$	55,585		$	25,417		$	24,142		$	13,567
Residential real estate mortgage and construction loans		1,641			2,125			1,730			2,259			2,026
Consumer loans		9,309			6,288			7,122			4,845			3,812

Total non-performing loans		165,812			63,998			34,269			31,246			19,405
Foreclosed real estate held for sale		5,917			4,137			3,811			4,082			3,679

Total non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate held for sale	$	171,729		$	68,135		$	38,080		$	35,328		$	23,084


Interest that would have been recorded if the loans had not been classified as non-performing	$	9,052		$	4,916		$	3,557		$	2,500		$	1,102

Interest recorded on non-performing loans	$	4,785		$	743		$	243		$	583		$	775

Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans at end of period		1.89	%		0.81	%		0.58	%		0.66	%		0.51	%

Total non-performing loans and foreclosed real estate held for sale as a percentage of total assets at end of period		1.00	%		0.42	%		0.27	%		0.31	%		0.28	%

loans on the consumer loans portfolio increased by $3.0 million or 48.04% at December 31, 2006, when compared to December 31, 2005. Such increase was mainly due to non-performing loans in the regular consumer loans portfolio which are collateralized by real estate. At December 31, 2006, the allowance for possible loan losses was 76.50% of total non-performing loans (reserve coverage).

The increase in non-performing loans from year end 2004, to year end 2005 mainly comes from the Company’s Commercial real estate-mortgage and Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural loans (“C&I”) portfolio. Non-performing loans on the Commercial and C&I loan portfolio increased by $30.2 million, when compared to December 31, 2004. The increase is primarily attributed to one loan of Westernbank Business Credit division originally acquired in the purchased loan portfolio, with an outstanding principal balance of $10.1 million. There is also one borrower with five commercial loans with an aggregate principal balance of $8.4 million, and five other commercial loans with outstanding principal balances between $1.0 million to $3.0 million, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $8.2 million. These loans are collateralized with real estate and did not require any valuation allowance. At December 31, 2005, the allowance for possible loan losses was 144.39% of total non-performing loans (reserve coverage).

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Westernbank maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance is based on ongoing, quarterly assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio, based on evaluations of the collectibility and historical loss experience of loans. The Company follows a systematic methodology to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. This methodology consists of several key elements, which include:

• Loan loss factors for commercial loans, including construction and land acquisition loans, are based on average loss trends (historical net charge-off and changes in the specific allowances) for three to five years, as adjusted for management’s expected increase in the loss factors given the significant increase in such loan portfolios over the last few years.

• Pooled loan loss factors are also based on average loss trends (historical net charge-off and changes in the specific allowances) for one to three years. Pooled loans are loans that are homogeneous in nature, such as consumer installment, residential mortgage loans and credit cards.

As of December 31, 2006, there have been no significant changes in estimation methods or assumptions that affected our methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses.

The table below presents a reconciliation of changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:


	YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
	2006			2005			2004			2003			2002
	(Dollars in thousands)

Balance, beginning of year	$	92,406		$	80,066		$	61,608		$	47,114		$	38,364

Loans charged-off:
Commercial real estate — mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans (1)		(22,606	)		(8,233	)		(5,433	)		(2,479	)		(3,389	)
Residential real estate-mortgage and construction loans		(94	)		(121	)		(297	)		(184	)		—
Consumer loans (2)		(12,576	)		(13,809	)		(16,473	)		(12,203	)		(4,576	)

Total loans charged-off		(35,276	)		(22,163	)		(22,203	)		(14,866	)		(7,965	)

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
Commercial real estate — mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		2,846			1,008			1,844			1,141			584
Residential real estate-mortgage and construction loans		66			212			206			372			190
Consumer loans (3)		2,252			2,283			1,920			799			858

Total recoveries of loans previously charged-off		5,164			3,503			3,970			2,312			1,632

Net loans charged-off		(30,112	)		(18,660	)		(18,233	)		(12,554	)		(6,333	)
Provision for loan losses		64,550			31,000			36,691			27,048			15,083

Balance, end of year	$	126,844		$	92,406		$	80,066		$	61,608		$	47,114

Ratios:
Allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period		1.45	%		1.17	%		1.34	%		1.30	%		1.24	%
Provision for loan losses to net loans charged-off		214.37	%		166.13	%		201.23	%		215.45	%		238.17	%
Recoveries of loans to loans charged-off in previous period		23.30	%		15.78	%		26.71	%		29.03	%		23.19	%
Net loans charged-off to average total loans (4)		0.36	%		0.27	%		0.34	%		0.29	%		0.19	%
Allowance for loans losses to non-performing loans		76.50	%		144.39	%		233.64	%		197.17	%		242.80	%


(1)		Includes partial charge-offs of $15.8 million and $5.3 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively, and a $505,000 charge-off in 2002 of Westernbank Business Credit division loans.

(2)		Includes $8.9 million, $9.8 million, $12.4 million, $7.9 million and $62,000 of Expresso of Westernbank loan charge-offs, for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Expresso of Westernbank began operations on July 10, 2002.

(3)		Includes $1.0 million, $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $17,000 of Expresso of Westernbank loan recoveries, for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

(4)		Average loans were computed using beginning and period-end balances.

At December 31, 2006, the allowance for possible loan losses was 76.50% of total non-performing loans (reserve coverage). The decrease in the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans ratio was principally due to the increase in non-performing loans in Commercial & C&I non-performing loans, mainly from the Company’s asset based lending division.

The decrease in the provision for loan losses from 2004 to 2005 was attributed to lower net charge offs of the Expresso of Westernbank division loan portfolio and relatively stable delinquencies in our commercial and consumer loan portfolios during the year 2005, when compared to the same period in 2004. The provision for loan losses for Westernbank Business Credit division accounted for $22.4 million or 72.33% of the total provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2005, while for year 2004, it accounted for $6.0 million or 16.33% of the total provision for loan losses. The increase of $16.4 million in the provision for loan losses for Westernbank Business Credit division is mainly attributable to two factors; first, an increase in the division loss ratio as a result of a $5.3 million partial charge-off of one loan that was acquired in the original purchased loan portfolio of this division on June 15, 2001. The remaining outstanding principal balance of this loan at December 31, 2005, is $10.1 million, with a specific valuation allowance of $6.8 million. Second, the increase in the specific reserves of two loans of the division loan portfolio during the fourth quarter of year 2005. Outstanding principal balances on these loans were $10.1 million (as explained above) and $14.1 million at December 31, 2005, with specific reserves of $6.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively. The provision for loan losses for the consumer loan portfolio decreased by $10.0 million, from 2004 to 2005. This decrease was primarily due to the relatively stable delinquency levels at the consumer loans portfolio, the decrease in the outstanding balance of the loan portfolio of the Expresso of Westernbank and the decrease in net charge-offs, principally in the Expresso of Westernbank division loan portfolio. The decrease in the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was mainly due to management’s strategy of stabilizing charge-offs as the division’s portfolio matures and average yield continues to increase.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, net charge-offs to average loans decreased from 0.34% for the year 2004, to 0.27% for the year 2005. In absolute dollar amounts, net charge-offs remained relatively unchanged at $18.7 million, when compared to $18.2 million in 2004. Commercial loans charged-off were $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, when compared to $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, an increase of $2.8 million or 51.54%. The increase in Commercial and C&I loans charged-off was primarily due to the partial charge-off of $5.3 million of one loan that was acquired in the original purchased loan portfolio of Westernbank Business Credit division on June 15, 2001. The remaining outstanding principal balance of this loan at December 31, 2005, was $10.1 million, with a specific valuation allowance of $6.8 million. Loans charged-off in the consumer loans portfolio decreased by $2.7 million or 16.17%, from $16.5 million in 2004, to $13.8 million in 2005. The decrease is principally attributed to lower charge-offs by the Expresso of Westernbank division, the principal component of the consumer loans charged- offs. Loans charged-off by the Expresso of Westernbank division decreased from $12.4 million for year 2004, to $9.8 million for year 2005, a decrease of $2.6 million or 20.97%. Management strategy of stabilizing charge-offs and increasing the yield of the Expresso loan portfolio by continuously reviewing its underwriting policies, increasing the level of collateralized loans, and increasing the overall rates charged has resulted in lower levels in net charge-offs and a higher yield. The average yield of the Expresso of Westernbank loan portfolio was 23.15% at December 31, 2005. Also, the loan portfolio of Expresso of Westernbank collateralized by real estate at December 31, 2005, already accounts for 15% of the outstanding balance. The accounts written-off are submitted to the Collections Department recovery unit for continued collection efforts. Recoveries made from accounts previously written-off amounted to $3.5 million in 2005 and $4.0 million in 2004.

system uses tools to assist the loan officer in identifying critical information in the customer’s credit report based on a credit scoring process. The system returns a suggested decision and loan amount, based on the customer’s net disposable income, FICO Score, and credit profile tests. In addition to this package, the division branches obtain a credit report from a second credit bureau to ensure that the lending officer possesses all information needed to make an informed decision and to reduce the division’s credit risk exposure. Overall credit scores for the portfolio are analyzed periodically.

The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for credit losses, the loan portfolio composition percentage and the allowance coverage ratio in each category to total loans, as set forth in the “Loans” table on page 56, at the end of each year.


	AT DECEMBER 31,
	2006			2005			2004			2003			2002
	(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:

Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans (1)	$	103,806		$	68,664		$	54,493		$	39,217		$	30,271
Residential real estate mortgage		4,654			3,275			407			415			443
Construction mortgage		3,616			4,059			3,715			2,183			1,400
Consumer and others (2)		12,029			14,430			19,425			17,472			12,004
Unallocated		2,739			1,978			2,026			2,321			2,996

Total allowance for loan losses	$	126,844		$	92,406		$	80,066		$	61,608		$	47,114


Loan portfolio composition percentages:

Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		70.94	%		66.68	%		65.42	%		58.72	%		53.45	%
Residential real estate mortgage		11.58	%		16.42	%		14.66	%		18.84	%		22.22	%
Construction mortgage		8.24	%		6.40	%		5.47	%		4.27	%		4.77	%
Consumer and others		9.24	%		10.50	%		14.45	%		18.17	%		19.56	%

Total loans		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%


Allowance coverage ratio at end of year:

Applicable to:

Commercial real estate mortgage and commercial, industrial and agricultural loans		1.67	%		1.30	%		1.39	%		1.41	%		1.49	%
Residential real estate mortgage		0.46	%		0.25	%		0.05	%		0.05	%		0.05	%
Construction mortgage		0.50	%		0.80	%		1.13	%		1.08	%		0.77	%
Consumer and others		1.49	%		1.74	%		2.24	%		2.03	%		1.61	%
Unallocated (as a percentage of total loans)		0.03	%		0.03	%		0.03	%		0.05	%		0.08	%

Total loans		1.45	%		1.17	%		1.34	%		1.30	%		1.24	%


(1)		Includes an allowance of $74.3 million, $30.0 million, $12.9 million, $6.6 million and $4.5 million for Westernbank Business Credit loans at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(2)		Includes an allowance of $7.8 million, $8.4 million, $13.8 million, $10.0 million and $1.5 million for Expresso of Westernbank loans portfolio at December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Expresso of Westernbank began operations on July 10, 2002.

As explained before, the Company has outstanding commercial loans to two mortgage originator groups in Puerto Rico. These commercial loans are collateralized by mortgages on commercial and residential real estate. In the first quarter of 2005, as a result of the announcements by the mortgage originator groups of the need to restate their previously issued financial statements and other negative views, the Company decided to assign a general allowance to these loans. Westernbank’s historical experience with the mortgage originator groups is that they have paid these loans in accordance with their terms. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, these loans have an outstanding balance of $940.0 million and $1.14 billion, respectively, and a general allowance of $4.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

The following table sets forth information regarding the investment in impaired loans:


	2006		2005		2004		2003		2002
	(In thousands)
Investment in impaired loans:

Covered by a valuation allowance	$	139,498	$	32,542	$	29,975	$	28,217	$	26,074
Do not require a valuation allowance		22,174		49,069		24,200		22,088		24,515

Total	$	161,672	$	81,611	$	54,175	$	50,305	$	50,589


Valuation allowance for impaired loans	$	39,106	$	14,185	$	8,412	$	4,646	$	4,752


Average investment in impaired loans	$	120,147	$	61,113	$	46,509	$	46,676	$	46,147


Interest collected and recognized as income on impaired loans	$	5,815	$	4,044	$	2,460	$	2,452	$	4,041

At December 31, 2006, Westernbank’s investment in impaired loans increased by $80.1 million, from $81.6 million at December 31, 2005. The investment in impaired loans covered by a valuation allowance increased from $32.5 million at December 31, 2005, to $139.5 million at December 31, 2006, an increase of $107.0 million. This increase was mainly attributed to three loans of the Company’s asset-based lending division, with outstanding principal balances of $44.9 million, $40.5 million and $7.3 million at December 31, 2006. These loans are current and have not missed their payment schedules but have shortfalls in the collaterals and in the financial condition of the borrowers. These loans required valuation allowances at December 31, 2006 as follows: $11.4 million for the $44.9 million loan, $15.2 million for the $40.5 million loan and $2.5 million for the $7.3 million loan. The investment in impaired loans that do not require a valuation allowance decreased from $49.1 million at December 31, 2005 to $22.2 million at December 31, 2006, a decrease of $26.9 million. Such decrease was due to loans classified as impaired loans as of December 31, 2005, that were either collected or charged-off during the year ended December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2006, one borrower with five loans, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $8.4 million and one additional loan with an outstanding principal balance of $1.5 million were paid-off. None of these loans required a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2005.

At December 31, 2005, Westernbank’s investment in impaired loans increased by $27.4 million or 50.64%, from $54.2 million at December 31, 2004. The investment in impaired loans that do not require a valuation allowance increased from $24.2 million at December 31, 2004, to $49.1 million at December 31, 2005, an increase of $24.9 million. The $27.4 million increase was mainly attributed to one borrower with five commercial loans with an aggregate principal balance of $8.4 million, and four other commercial loans with outstanding principal balances between $1.0 million to $3.0 million, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $8.2 million. Also, at December 31, 2005, there are four additional commercial loans with outstanding principal balances between $500,000 to $1.0 million, with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $2.6 million. All of these loans are collateralized with real estate.

INVESTMENTS

The Company’s investment strategy is affected by both the rates and terms available on competing investments and tax and other legal considerations.

Federal funds sold and resell agreements amounted to $360.2 million and $590.4 million, respectively, at December 31, 2006. Federal funds sold mature within the next two business days, while resell agreements mature as follows: $40.4 million the next business day, $200.0 million in 2009, and $350.0 million in 2010. The Company monitors the fair value of the underlying securities as compared to the related receivable, including accrued interest, and requests additional collateral when the fair value of the underlying collateral falls below the collateral requirement. At December 31, 2006, the fair value of the underlying collateral amounted to $633.6 million.

The carrying amount of investment securities at December 31, 2006, by contractual maturity (excluding mortgage-backed securities), are shown below:


	Carrying		Weighted
	amount		average yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
US Government and agencies obligations:
Due within one year	$	379,602		4.48	%
Due after one year through five years		5,759,489		3.98
Due after five years through ten years		175,000		4.00

		6,314,091		4.01


Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations:
Due within one year		3,015		6.00
Due after one year through five years		18,111		4.20
Due after five years through ten years		8,587		4.89

		29,713		4.58


Other:
Due after ten years		21,433		8.33

Total		6,365,237		4.03
Mortgage-backed securities		660,392		4.26
Equity securities		2,491		2.21

Total	$	7,028,120		4.05	%

DEPOSITS

Westernbank offers a diversified choice of deposit accounts. Savings deposits decreased from $774.7 million as of December 31, 2005, to $728.9 million as of December 31, 2006, a decrease of $45.8 million or 5.92%. Other deposits represented mainly by time deposits, brokered deposits and Individual Retirement Account deposits (IRA’s), increased from $7.60 billion as of December 31, 2005, to $8.61 billion as of December 31, 2006, an increase of $1.01 billion or 13.25%. Other deposits include brokered deposits amounting to $6.72 billion and $5.98 billion as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These accounts have historically been a stable source of funds.

At December 31, 2006, the scheduled maturities of time deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more are as follows:


	(In thousands)

3 months or less	$	206,827
over 3 months through 6 months		83,502
over 6 months through 12 months		98,498
over 12 months		92,225

Total	$	481,052

The following table sets forth the average amount and the average rate paid on the following deposit categories for the years ended December 31:


	2006					2005					2004
	Average		Average			Average		Average			Average		Average
	amount		rate			amount		rate			amount		rate
	(Dollars in thousands)

Time deposits	$	7,305,932		4.72	%	$	6,004,119		3.64	%	$	4,630,244		3.12	%
Savings deposits		755,800		2.06	%		802,994		2.09	%		784,589		2.14	%
Interest bearing demand deposits		279,886		2.08	%		200,804		2.88	%		200,190		2.63	%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits		429,913		—			368,688		—			306,710		—

	$	8,771,531		4.17	%	$	7,376,605		3.27	%	$	5,921,733		2.81	%

BORROWINGS

The following table sets forth the borrowings of the Company at the dates indicated:


	2006		2005		2004
			(In thousands)

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements (1)	$	6,320,481	$	6,260,029	$	6,683,527
Advances from the FHLB		127,000		172,000		211,000
Mortgage note payable		35,968		36,432		36,858

	$	6,483,449	$	6,468,461	$	6,931,385


(1)		Federal funds purchased amounted to $75.0 million at December 31, 2004, at a weighted average interest rate of 2.37%, and mature the next business day. No such borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005.


	2006			2005			2004
	(Dollars in thousands)
Federal funds purchased:
Balance at end of year	$	—		$	—		$	75,029
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		—			—			2.37	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	3,077		$	8,851		$	23,753
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.69	%		2.43	%		1.95	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	40,000		$	40,039		$	95,005

Repurchase agreements:
Balance at end of year	$	1,070,582		$	1,545,725		$	4,138,257
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.33	%		4.34	%		2.30	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	1,731,600		$	2,377,629		$	2,377,042
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.97	%		3.03	%		1.67	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	2,282,650		$	3,514,422		$	4,206,540

Advances from FHLB:
Balance at end of year	$	25,000		$	50,000		$	25,000
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.43	%		4.45	%		2.41	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	33,462		$	21,923		$	21,250
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		5.01	%		3.49	%		1.65	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	50,000		$	50,000		$	50,000

Total short-term borrowings:
Balance at end of year	$	1,095,582		$	1,595,725		$	4,238,286
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.33	%		4.34	%		2.30	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	1,768,139		$	2,408,403		$	2,422,045
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.97	%		3.03	%		1.67	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	2,322,650		$	3,579,461		$	4,238,286

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stockholders’ equity increased to $1.23 billion as of December 31, 2006, compared to $1.19 billion in 2005, and $1.08 billion in 2004. The 2006 increase resulted principally from the combination of the net income of $100.5 million generated during the year ended December 31, 2006, and the proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $1.1 million. This was partially offset by dividends declared during the year 2006 of $31.2 million and $36.9 million on the Company’s common and preferred shares, respectively. The 2005 increase resulted principally from the combination of the net income of $163.1 million generated during the year ended December 31, 2005 and the issuance of 401,300 shares of the Company’s Series H Preferred Stock completed on January 3, 2005, providing a net capital infusion of $19.4 million. This was partially offset by dividends declared during the year 2005 of $30.6 million and $37.0 million on the Company’s common and preferred shares.

On December 6, 2004, the Company’s board of directors declared a three-for-two stock split for all stockholders of record as of December 31, 2004, and distributed on January 10, 2005. The effect of the stock split was a decrease to retained earnings and an increase in common stock of $54.6 million.

On December 13, 2004, the Company’s board of directors declared a 2% stock dividend, for all stockholders of record as of December 30, 2004, and distributed on January 10, 2005. The effect of the stock dividend was a decrease to retained earnings, an increase in paid-in-capital and an increase in common stock of $45.8 million, $43.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

On January 3, 2005, the Company issued 401,300 shares of its 2004 Series H preferred stock over-allotment option to the underwriter. The preferred shares were issued at a price of $50.00 per share. Proceeds from the issuance of the 2004 Series H preferred stock amounted to $19,433,000, net of $632,000 of issuance costs.

On May 27, 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, from 20,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares, and to increase the authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, from 300,000,000 shares to 500,000,000 shares.

During years 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company issued 376,051, 56,113 and 214,750 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options by several of the Company’s executive officers.

On January 31, 2006, and on January 30, 2007, the Company’s board of directors approved an annual dividend payment of $0.19 per share to its stockholders for the years 2006 and 2007, respectively.

The number of common shares outstanding increased from 164,098,237 at December 31, 2005, to 164,486,691 at December 31, 2006, as a result of the conversion of 3,550 shares of the Company’s convertible preferred stock series A, into 12,403 shares of the Company’s common stock, and the issuance of 376,051 common shares from the exercise of stock options.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to generate sufficient cash to meet the funding needs of current loan demand, deposit withdrawals, principal and interest payments with respect to outstanding borrowings and to pay operating expenses. The Company monitors its liquidity in accordance with guidelines established by the Investment Committee and applicable regulatory requirements. The Company’s need for liquidity is affected by loan demand, net changes in deposit levels and the scheduled maturities of its borrowings. Liquidity demand caused by net reductions in deposits is usually caused by factors over which the Company has limited control. The Company derives its liquidity from both its assets and liabilities. Liquidity is derived from assets by receipt of interest and principal payments and prepayments, by the ability to sell assets at market prices and by utilizing unpledged assets as collateral for borrowings. At December 31, 2006, the Company had approximately $876.4 million in investment securities and other short-term securities, such as money market instruments, maturing or repricing within one year or available for sale. Additional asset-driven liquidity is provided by the remainder of the investment securities available for sale and securitized loans.

Liquidity is derived from liabilities by maintaining a variety of funding sources, including deposits, advances and borrowings from the FHLB of New York and other short and long-term borrowings, such as federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements. Other borrowings funding source limits are determined annually by each counterparty and depend on the Company’s financial condition and delivery of acceptable collateral securities. The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities. In addition, the Company utilizes the broker deposits market as a source of cost effective deposit funding in addition to local market deposit inflows. Westernbank’s ability to acquire brokered deposits can be restricted if in the future it becomes less than well-capitalized. An adequately-capitalized bank, by regulation, may not accept deposits from brokers unless it applies for and receives a waiver from the FDIC. The Company also uses the FHLB as a funding source, issuing notes payable, such as advances, and other borrowings, such as repurchase agreements, through its FHLB member subsidiary, Westernbank. This funding source requires Westernbank to maintain a minimum amount of qualifying collateral with a fair value of at least 110% and 105% of the outstanding advances and repurchase agreements, respectively.

The Company’s liquidity targets are reviewed monthly by the Investment Committee and are based on the Company’s commitment to make loans and investments and its ability to generate funds. The Committee’s targets are also affected by yields on available investments and upon the Committee’s judgment as to the attractiveness of such yields and its expectations as to future yields.

The Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2006, had an average contractual maturity of 31 months. The Company’s interest rate risk model takes into consideration the callable feature of certain investment securities. Assuming that all call features are exercised, the Company’s investment portfolio as of December 31, 2006, had a remaining average maturity of 5 months. Under the present interest rate scenario, no single security may be called. However, no assurance can be given that such levels will be maintained in future periods.

As of December 31, 2006, Westernbank had line of credit agreements with four financial institutions permitting Westernbank to borrow a maximum aggregate amount of $250.0 million, mainly through federal funds purchased. There were no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2006, under such lines of credit. The agreements provide for unsecured advances to be used by the Company on an overnight basis. The interest rate is negotiated at the time of the transaction usually at Fed Funds rate. The credit agreements are renewable annually.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS — Payments, excluding interest, due by period for the Company’s contractual obligations (other than deposit liabilities) at December 31, 2006 are presented below:


			Due after one		Due after three
	Due within one		year through		years through five		Due after five
	year		three years		years		years		Total
	(In thousands)

Short-term borrowings	$	1,095,582	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,095,582
Long-term borrowings		712,078		2,765,861		1,252,230		657,698		5,387,867
Operating lease obligations		2,454		3,173		1,929		3,014		10,570

Total contractual obligations	$	1,810,114	$	2,769,034	$	1,254,159	$	660,712	$	6,494,019

Such commitments will be funded in the normal course of business from the Company’s principal source of funds. At December 31, 2006, the Company had $5.42 billion in time deposits that mature during the following twelve months. The Company does not anticipate any difficulty in retaining or replacing such deposits.

The contractual amount of the Company’s financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk expiring by period at December 31, 2006, is presented below:


	Less than one
	year		2-5 years		Total
	(In thousands)

Unused lines of credit	$	190,261	$	208,367	$	398,628
Standby letters of credit		28,896		—		28,896
Commercial letters of credit		8,337		—		8,337
Commitments to extend credit		89,000		514,413		603,413


Total	$	316,494	$	722,780	$	1,039,274

Due to the nature of the Company’s unfunded commitments, including unfunded lines of credit, the amounts presented above do not necessarily represent the amounts the Company anticipates funding in the periods presented above.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company has established various accounting policies which govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions made by management, actual results could differ from these judgments and estimates which could have a material impact on the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the Company. The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity:

•

Allowance for loan losses — The allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In estimating the allowance for loan losses, management utilizes historical experience as well as other factors including the effect of changes in the local real estate market on collateral values, the effects on the loan portfolio of current economic indicators and their probable impact on borrowers and increases or decreases in nonperforming and impaired loans. Changes in these factors may cause management’s estimate of the allowance to increase or decrease and result in adjustments to the Company’s provision for loan losses. See “Financial Condition — Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the Company’s estimation process and methodology related to the allowance for loan losses.

	•		Other-than-temporary impairments — The Company reviews its investment securities for impairment on a quarterly basis or earlier if other factors indicative of potential impairment exist. An impairment charge in the consolidated statements of income is recognized when the decline in the fair value of the securities below their cost basis is judged to be other-than-temporary. The Company considers various factors in determining whether it should recognize an impairment charge, including, but not limited to the length of time and the extent the fair value of the security has been below its cost basis, the expectation for that security’s performance, the credit worthiness of the issuer and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security to maturity. See “Financial Condition — Investments” and “Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the Company’s estimation process and methodology related to other-than-temporary impairments.

	•		Financial instruments — Certain financial instruments including derivatives and investment securities available for sale are recorded at fair value and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in other comprehensive income or noninterest income as appropriate. Fair values are based on listed market prices, if available. If listed market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on other relevant factors including price quotations for similar instruments. Fair value of certain derivative contracts are derived from an independent valuation model and periodically compared to quoted market prices. See “Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the Company’s estimation process and methodology related to the financial instruments.

	•		Certain liabilities and contingencies — In the ordinary course of business, the Company’s management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and therefore the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding past and expected gains or losses, current economic conditions, and risk characteristics, among other factors. The following is a description of the most significant methods and assumptions used by the Company in estimating the amounts reported in connection with certain liabilities and contingencies as disclosed in the financial statements:

• Income taxes — The Company is required to compute income taxes in connection with its preparation of the consolidated financial statements. This computation involves estimates and assumptions made by the Company’s management based on its interpretation of current and enacted tax laws and regulations that affect the reported amounts of current and deferred income tax provisions. The carrying value of the Company’s net deferred tax asset assumes that the Company will be able to generate sufficient taxable income in the future to realize the tax benefit. If expectations about future taxable income are not materialized, the Company may be required to record a valuation allowance to reduce the recorded amount of its deferred tax asset resulting in an increase of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.

• Other Contingencies — The Company is a defendant in legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Evaluation of these contingencies requires management of the Company, after consultation with its legal counsel, to assume certain positions based on its interpretation of current laws and regulations. Such interpretations are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, actual results could differ from management position and estimates.

See “Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements included herein in Part II, Item 8, for a detailed description of the Company’s estimation process and methodology related to certain liabilities and contingencies.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (‘SFAS”) No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement cost. SFAS No. 143 became effective on January 1, 2003, and its adoption did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 94-3, Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring). The provisions of this Statement are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, an Interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and Rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34 (“FIN No. 45”). This interpretation elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in the financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. It also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The initial recognition and initial measurement provisions of FIN No. 45 were applicable for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The adoption of the recognition and measurement provisions did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (“FIN No. 46”). FIN No. 46 addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities. A variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust, or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not issue voting interests (or other interests with similar rights) or (b) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities. FIN No. 46 requires an enterprise to consolidate a variable interest entity if that enterprise has a variable interest that will absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses if these occur, receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns if these occur, or both. Qualifying Special Purpose Entities are exempt from the consolidation requirements. In addition to numerous FASB Staff Positions written to clarify and improve the application of FIN No. 46, the FASB announced a deferral for certain entities, and an amendment to FIN No. 46 entitled FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN No. 46R”). FIN No. 46R must be applied to interests in all entities subject to the interpretation as of the first interim or annual period ending after March 15, 2004. The adoption of FIN No. 46R did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement No. 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This Statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This Statement (1) clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative discussed in paragraph 6 (b) of SFAS No. 133, (2) clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, (3) amends the definition of an underlying to conform it to language used in FIN No. 45, and (4) amends certain other existing pronouncements. This Statement was effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This Statement establishes standards for how an entity classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. This Statement requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability. Many of those instruments were previously classified as equity, or in some cases, presented between the liabilities section and the equity section of the statement of financial condition. SFAS No. 150 applies to three categories of freestanding financial instruments (mandatorily redeemable instruments, instruments with repurchase obligations and instruments with obligations to issue a variable number of shares). This Statement was effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise was effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. Certain provisions of SFAS No. 150 related to mandatorily redeemable financial instruments have been subsequently deferred indefinitely by the FASB. The Company does not have mandatorily redeemable financial instruments outstanding. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2003, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position (“SOP”) 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans and Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. SOP 03-3 addresses the accounting for acquired loans that show evidence of having deteriorated in terms of credit quality since their origination (i.e. impaired loans). SOP 03-3 requires acquired loans to be recorded at their fair value defined as the present value of future cash flows. SOP 03-3 prohibits the carryover of an allowance for loan losses on certain acquired loans as credit losses are considered in the future cash flows assessment. SOP 03-3 is effective for loans that are acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004. The adoption of this SOP did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In March 2004, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. The EITF reached a consensus on an other-than-temporary impairment model for debt and equity securities accounted for under SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and cost method investments. In September 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position (“FSP”) No. EITF 03-01-1, Effective Date of Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF 03-01. This FSP delayed the effective date of the measurement and recognition guidance contained in paragraphs 10-20 of Issue 03-01. In November 2005, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. This FSP nullifies certain requirements of Issue 03-1 and supersedes EITF Abstracts, Topic No. D-44, Recognition of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment upon the Planned Sale of a Security Whose Cost Exceeds Fair Value. Based on the clarification provided in FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, the amount of any other-than-temporary impairment that needs to be recognized will continue to be dependent on market conditions, the occurrence of certain events or changes in circumstances relative to an investee and an entity’s intent and ability to hold the impaired investment at the time of the valuation. FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1 was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of this FSP did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In March 2004, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 105, Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments, (“SAB 105”) to inform registrants of the Staff’s view that the fair value of recorded loan commitments should not consider the expected future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the future loan. The provisions of SAB 105 are applicable to loan commitments accounted for as derivatives that are entered into after March 31, 2004. The staff will not object to the application of existing accounting practices to loan commitments accounted for as derivatives that are entered into on or before March 31, 2004, with appropriate disclosures. The adoption of SAB 105 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets — an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29. The guidance in APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions, is based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. The guidance in that Opinion, however, included certain exceptions to that principle. This Statement amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This Statement shall be applied prospectively and is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Earlier application is permitted for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after the date of issuance of this Statement. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment. This Statement requires measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award with the cost to be recognized over the service period. This Statement is effective for financial statements as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period of the first fiscal year that begins after June 15, 2005. SFAS No. 123(R) applies to all awards granted after this effective date and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date. The adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006 did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations since the Company only has employee stock options and it voluntarily adopted on January 1, 2003, the fair value recognition method.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143(“FIN No. 47”). This interpretation clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. Thus, the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The types of asset retirement obligations that are covered by this

interpretation are those for which an entity has a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity, however the timing and/or method of settling the obligation are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. FIN No. 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. This interpretation is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The adoption of FIN No. 47 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections — a Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. This Statement replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. This Statement requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. This Statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle. It also applies to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and error corrections made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In June 2005, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 150-5, Issuer’s Accounting under FASB Statement No. 150 for Freestanding Warrants and Other Similar Instruments on Shares that Are Redeemable. The FSP clarifies that freestanding warrants and other similar instruments on shares that are redeemable (either puttable or mandatorily redeemable) should be accounted for as liabilities under SFAS No. 150 regardless of the timing of the redemption feature or price, even though the underlying shares may be classified as equity (or temporary equity under SEC Accounting Series Release No. 268, Redeemable Preferred Stocks). The FSP indicates that these instruments are liabilities (even if the obligation is conditional) because they embody obligations to repurchase the issuer’s shares and may require a transfer of assets. Options or similar instruments originally issued as employee compensation, which are no longer dependent on employment, are not within the scope of the final FSP. This FSP is effective for the first reporting period beginning after June 30, 2005. The adoption of FSP No. FAS 150-5 did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, an amendment of SFAS No. 140 and SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 155 permits the Company to elect to measure any hybrid financial instrument at fair value (with changes in fair value recognized in earnings) if the hybrid instrument contains an embedded derivative that would otherwise be required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately under SFAS No. 133. The election to measure the hybrid instrument at fair value is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irreversible. The Statement is effective for all instruments acquired, issued, or subject to a remeasurement event occurring after the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, with earlier adoption permitted as of the beginning of the Company’s 2006 fiscal year, provided that financial statements for any interim period of that fiscal year have not yet been issued. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 at January 1, 2007, did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets, an amendment to SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities to (1) require the recognition of a servicing asset or servicing liability under specified circumstances, (2) require that, if practicable, all separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities be initially measured at fair value, (3) create a choice for subsequent measurement of each class of servicing assets or liabilities by applying either the amortization method or the fair value method, and (4) permit the one-time reclassification of securities identified as offsetting exposure to changes in fair value of servicing assets or liabilities from available-for-sale securities to trading securities under SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. In addition, SFAS No. 156 amends SFAS No. 140 to require significantly greater disclosure concerning recognized servicing assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 156 is effective for all separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of SFAS No. 156 did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109. FIN No. 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Under the new guidance, tax positions shall initially be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions shall initially and subsequently be measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. FIN No. 48 also revises disclosure requirements to include an annual tabular rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits. FIN No. 48 is effective on January 1, 2007. Upon adoption, management estimates that a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $11.7 million will be charged to retained earnings to increase the accrued liability for uncertain tax positions, which is subject to revision as management completes its analysis.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is encouraged, provided that the reporting entity has not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year, including financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, Financial Statements — Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. This SAB provides guidance on the consideration of prior year misstatements in determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. In providing this guidance, the SEC staff references both the “iron curtain” and “rollover” approaches to quantifying a current year misstatement for purposes of determining materiality. The iron curtain approach focuses on how the current year’s statement of financial condition would be affected in correcting misstatements without considering the year in which the misstatement originated. The rollover approach focuses on the amount of the misstatements that originated in the current year’s income statement. The SEC staff indicates that registrants should quantify the impact of correcting all misstatements, including both the carryover and reversing effects of prior year misstatements, on the current year financial statements. This SAB was effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. Registrants may either restate their financials for any material misstatements arising from the application of this SAB or recognize a cumulative effect of applying SAB No. 108 within the current year opening balance in retained earnings. The adoption of this SAB did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As of December 31, 2006, the Company had no significant off-balance sheet arrangements with the exception of operating leases as discussed in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, included in Part II, Item 8.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

For information required in connection with the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments refer to section “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition, included in Part II, Item 7.

MARKET RISK

The Company’s financial performance is impacted by among other factors, interest rate risk and credit risk. Management considers interest rate risk the Company’s most significant market risk. Interest rate risk is the exposure to adverse changes in net interest income due to changes in interest rates. Consistency of the Company’s net interest income is largely dependent upon the effective management of interest rate risk. The Company does not utilize derivatives to mitigate its credit risk, relying instead on an extensive counterparty review process. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financial Condition — Allowance for Loan Losses”.

Interest rate risk is addressed by the Company’s Asset & Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which includes the full Board of Directors and certain senior management representatives. The ALCO monitors interest rate risk by analyzing the potential impact to the net portfolio of equity value and net interest income from potential changes to interest rates and considers the impact of alternative strategies or changes in balance sheet structure. The ALCO manages the Company’s balance sheet in part to minimize the potential impact on net portfolio value and net interest income despite changes in interest rates. The Company’s exposure to interest rate risk is reviewed on a quarterly basis by the ALCO. Interest rate risk exposure is measured using interest rate sensitivity analysis to determine the change in net portfolio value in the event of hypothetical changes in interest rates. If potential changes to net portfolio value and net interest income resulting from hypothetical interest rate changes are not within the limits established by the Board, the Board may direct management to adjust its asset and liability mix to bring interest rate risk within Board-approved limits. In order to reduce the exposure to interest rate fluctuations, the Company has implemented

strategies to more closely match its balance sheet composition. Interest rate sensitivity is computed by estimating the changes in net portfolio of equity value, or market value over a range of potential changes in interest rates. The market value of equity is the market value of the Company’s assets minus the market value of its liabilities plus or minus the market value of any off-balance sheet items. The market value of each asset, liability, and off-balance sheet item is its net present value of expected cash flows discounted at market rates after adjustment for rate changes. The Company measures the impact on market value for an immediate and sustained 200 basis points increase or decrease (shock) in interest rates.

The Company’s profitability is dependent to a large extent upon its net interest income, which is the difference between its interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and its interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-earning assets reprice differently than its interest-bearing liabilities.

The Company manages its mix of assets and liabilities with the goals of limiting its exposure to interest rate risk, ensuring adequate liquidity, and coordinating its sources and uses of funds. Specific strategies have included securitization and sale of long-term, fixed-rate residential mortgage loans, shortening the average maturity of fixed-rate loans and increasing the volume of variable and adjustable rate loans to reduce the average maturity of the Company’s interest-earning assets. All long-term, fixed-rate single family residential mortgage loans underwritten according to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal National Mortgage Association and Government National Mortgage Association guidelines are sold for cash soon after origination. In addition, the Company enters into certain derivative financial instruments to hedge various exposures or to modify interest rate characteristics of various statements of financial condition items, such as interest rate swaps entered into to modify the interest rate characteristic of certain fixed-rate brokered certificates of deposit. This structured variable rate funding matches well with the Company strategy of having a large floating rate commercial loan portfolio. See “Note 19 — Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company is exposed to changes in the level of Net Interest Income (“NII”) in a changing interest rate environment. NII will fluctuate pursuant to changes in the levels of interest rates and of interest-sensitive assets and liabilities. If (1) the weighted average rates in effect at period end remain constant, or increase or decrease on an instantaneous and sustained change of plus 200 or minus 200 basis points, and (2) all scheduled repricing, reinvestments and estimated prepayments, and reissuances are at such constant, or increase or decrease accordingly; NII will fluctuate as shown on the table below:

December 31, 2006:


Change in Interest Rate	Expected NII (1)		Amount Change			% Change
		(Dollars in thousands)

+200 Basis Points	$	270,346	$	(35,837	)		(11.70	)%
Base Scenario		306,183		—			—
-200 Basis Points		303,489		(2,694	)		(0.88	)%

December 31, 2005:


Change in Interest Rate	Expected NII (1)		Amount Change			% Change
		(Dollars in thousands)

+200 Basis Points	$	260,777	$	(24,367	)		(8.55	)%
Base Scenario		285,144		—			—
-200 Basis Points		275,494		(9,650	)		(3.38	)%


(1)		The NII figures exclude the effect of the amortization of loan fees.

The model utilized to create the information presented above makes various estimates at each level of interest rate change regarding cash flows from principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities and/or call activity on investment securities. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates which would result in significant differences in the calculated projected change. In addition, the limits stated above do not necessarily represent the level of change under which management would undertake specific measures to realign its portfolio in order to reduce the projected level of change.

The interest rate sensitivity (“GAP”) is defined as the difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within a given time period. A GAP is considered positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of

interest rate sensitive liabilities. A GAP is considered negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities exceeds interest rate sensitive assets. During a period of rising interest rates, a negative GAP would tend to adversely affect net interest income, while a positive GAP would tend to result in an increase in net interest income. During a period of falling interest rates, a negative GAP would tend to result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive GAP would tend to affect net interest income adversely. While the GAP is a useful measurement and contributes toward effective asset and liability management, it is difficult to predict the effect of changing interest rates solely on that measure. Because different types of assets and liabilities with the same or similar maturities may react differently to changes in overall market rates or conditions, changes in interest rates may affect net interest income positively or negatively even if an institution were perfectly matched in each maturity category.

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, MARKET AREA AND COMPETITION

Current Fiscal Situation

Rating Downgrades on the Government of Puerto Rico’s Debt Obligations

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
W Holding Company, Inc.
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of W Holding Company, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of W Holding Company, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Juan, Puerto Rico
February 26, 2007

Stamp No. 2194019
affixed to original.

W HOLDING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2005


	2006		2005
ASSETS

Cash and due from banks	$	105,027	$	97,612
Money market instruments:
Federal funds sold and resell agreements		950,573		746,539
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		21,060		57,116
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value with an amortized cost of $20,186 in 2006 and $5,156 in 2005		20,541		5,166
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost with a fair value of $6,794,259 in 2006 and $6,851,089 in 2005		7,007,579		7,074,025
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost		37,982		42,798
Residential mortgage loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value		11,379		1,539
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $126,844 in 2006 and $92,406 in 2005		8,641,023		7,815,623
Accrued interest receivable		121,360		105,882
Foreclosed real estate held for sale, net of valuation allowance of $449 in 2006 and $227 in 2005		5,917		4,137
Premises and equipment, net		124,648		117,623
Deferred income taxes, net		51,338		41,111
Other assets		56,261		42,693


TOTAL	$	17,154,688	$	16,151,864


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

LIABILITIES:

Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	373,634	$	277,099
Interest-bearing and related accrued interest payable		8,963,429		8,098,510

Total deposits		9,337,063		8,375,609
Repurchase agreements		6,320,481		6,260,029
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		127,000		172,000
Mortgage note payable		35,968		36,432
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance		9,862		7,867
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		96,427		106,449

Total liabilities		15,926,801		14,958,386


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock — $1.00 par value per share (liquidation preference — $530,838 in 2006 and $530,926 in 2005); authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 18,156,709 shares in 2006 and 18,160,259 shares in 2005		18,157		18,160
Common stock — $1.00 par value per share; authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 164,486,691 shares in 2006 and 164,098,237 shares in 2005		164,487		164,098
Paid-in capital		707,483		706,122
Retained earnings:
Reserve fund		86,442		76,443
Undivided profits		251,034		228,648
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax		284		7

Total stockholders’ equity		1,227,887		1,193,478


TOTAL	$	17,154,688	$	16,151,864

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

W HOLDING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004


	2006			2005			2004
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans, including loan fees	$	671,530		$	479,042		$	322,164
Investment securities		261,971			247,533			212,213
Mortgage-backed securities		28,445			32,315			37,446
Money market instruments		38,235			36,433			19,510
Trading securities		44			6			43


Total interest income		1,000,225			795,329			591,376


INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits		366,063			241,268			166,237
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		307,463			234,791			141,414
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		7,893			7,688			6,568


Total interest expense		681,419			483,747			314,219


NET INTEREST INCOME		318,806			311,582			277,157
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		64,550			31,000			36,691

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		254,256			280,582			240,466


NONINTEREST INCOME:
Service and other charges on loans		12,527			11,577			10,106
Service charges on deposit accounts		9,976			8,636			7,969
Other fees and commissions		15,104			13,182			10,536
Net gain on derivative instruments		632			1,878			22,388
Net gain (loss) on sales and valuation of loans held for sale, securities, and other assets		(1,141	)		547			2,629

Total noninterest income		37,098			35,820			53,628

TOTAL NET INTEREST INCOME AND NONINTEREST INCOME		291,354			316,402			294,094


NONINTEREST EXPENSES:
Salaries and employees’ benefits		54,378			46,653			38,317
Equipment		11,610			9,554			9,445
Deposits insurance premium and supervisory examination		3,770			3,370			2,907
Occupancy		8,482			7,640			6,694
Advertising		9,140			9,160			10,508
Printing, postage, stationery and supplies		3,654			3,128			3,206
Telephone		2,275			1,853			2,315
Net loss (gain) from operations of foreclosed real estate held for sale		(270	)		(402	)		418
Municipal taxes		6,218			4,708			3,953
Other		25,261			22,566			22,362

Total noninterest expenses		124,518			108,230			100,125


INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		166,836			208,172			193,969
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		66,305			45,086			22,093

NET INCOME		100,531			163,086			171,876
LESS DIVIDENDS TO PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS		36,911			36,985			27,158

INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	63,620		$	126,101		$	144,718


BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.39		$	0.77		$	0.89

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.38		$	0.74		$	0.86

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

W HOLDING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004


	2006			2005			2004

CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock:
Balance at beginning of year	$	18,160		$	17,794		$	15,396
Issuance of preferred stock		—			401			2,675
Conversion of preferred stock		(3	)		(35	)		(277	)

Balance at end of year		18,157			18,160			17,794


Common stock:
Balance at beginning of year		164,098			163,919			106,290
Stock split		—			—			54,640
Stock dividend		—			—			2,142
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of preferred stock		13			123			632
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options		376			56			215

Balance at end of year		164,487			164,098			163,919


Paid-in capital:
Balance at beginning of year		706,122			686,493			514,800
Stock options exercised		696			104			754
Stock-based compensation expense		675			564			895
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of preferred stock		(10	)		(88	)		(355	)
Issuance of preferred stock		—			19,049			126,715
Stock dividend		—			—			43,684

Balance at end of year		707,483			706,122			686,493


Reserve fund:
Balance at beginning of year		76,443			60,260			42,962
Transfer from undivided profits		9,999			16,183			17,298

Balance at end of year		86,442			76,443			60,260


Undivided profits:
Balance at beginning of year		228,648			149,305			145,863
Net income		100,531			163,086			171,876
Cash dividends on common stock		(31,235	)		(30,575	)		(23,502	)
Cash dividends on preferred stock		(36,911	)		(36,985	)		(27,158	)
Transfer to reserve fund		(9,999	)		(16,183	)		(17,298	)
Stock split		—			—			(54,643	)
Stock dividend		—			—			(45,833	)

Balance at end of year		251,034			228,648			149,305

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:
Balance at beginning of year		7			(212	)		(933	)
Other comprehensive income		277			219			721

Balance at end of year		284			7			(212	)


TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,227,887		$	1,193,478		$	1,077,559


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net income	$	100,531		$	163,086		$	171,876

Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized net gains (losses) on securities available for sale:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		(201	)		222			828
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income		546			—			(128	)

		345			222			700
Income tax effect		(68	)		(3	)		21

Other comprehensive income		277			219			721


TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$	100,808		$	163,305		$	172,597


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

W HOLDING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004


		2006			2005			2004
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	100,531		$	163,086		$	171,876
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision (credit) for:
Loan losses		64,550			31,000			36,691
Deferred income tax		(10,294	)		(7,452	)		(6,089	)
Foreclosed real estate held for sale		222			(59	)		553
Depreciation and amortization of:
Premises and equipment		8,696			7,093			7,034
Mortgage servicing rights		329			488			424
Stock-based compensation expense		675			564			895
Amortization of premium (discount), net, on:
Investment securities available for sale		(142	)		68			393
Investment securities held to maturity		(18,484	)		(4,900	)		(1,551	)
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity		261			846			1,136
Loans		860			1,181			1,320
Amortization of discount on deposits		1,460			4,337			3,796
Amortization of net deferred loan origination fees		(16,253	)		(16,303	)		(9,994	)
Net loss (gain) on sale and in valuation of:
Investment securities available for sale		(204	)		—			(128	)
Available-for-sale securities other-than-temporarily impaired		750			—			—
Held-to-maturity securities other-than-temporarily impaired		1,063			—			—
Called investment securities held to maturity		—			—			(525	)
Mortgage loans held for sale		(291	)		(334	)		(1,649	)
Derivative instruments		(1,525	)		4,008			(3,341	)
Foreclosed real estate held for sale		(634	)		(476	)		(305	)
Capitalization of servicing rights		(285	)		(257	)		(904	)
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale		(33,530	)		(19,955	)		(30,499	)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale		16,562			15,742			23,428
Decrease (increase) in:
Trading securities		5,814			4,700			8,383
Accrued interest receivable		(15,478	)		(17,597	)		(12,718	)
Other assets		(3,601	)		521			2,138
Increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest on deposits and borrowings		46,917			54,497			12,257
Other liabilities		(10,190	)		26,385			(14,762	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		137,779			247,183			187,859


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits in banks		36,056			(7,640	)		(11,709	)
Net decrease (increase) in federal funds sold and resell agreements		(204,034	)		270,764			(17,452	)
Resell agreements with original maturities over three months:
Purchases		—			—			(550,000	)
Collections		—			—			200,000
Investment securities available for sale:
Maturities, prepayments and calls		4,794			7,834			42,505
Proceeds from sales		1,928			—			130,066
Purchases		—			(4,965	)		(124,938	)
Investment securities held to maturity:
Maturities, prepayments and calls		49,887,013			17,111,348			14,602,463
Purchases		(49,864,760	)		(17,387,928	)		(15,967,622	)
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity:
Maturities, prepayments and calls		41,991			177,885			225,783
Purchases		—			(49,897	)		(55,081	)
Loan originations, net of principal collections		(878,843	)		(1,915,587	)		(1,266,027	)
Purchases of derivative options		(1,296	)		(2,905	)		(4,872	)
Proceeds from derivative options		33			—			—
Cash paid on terminated swaps		(164	)		(252	)		—
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate held for sale		1,567			1,869			1,494
Additions to premises and equipment		(16,486	)		(13,971	)		(13,553	)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock		(3,160	)		(7,510	)		(20,935	)
Redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock		7,975			16,907			8,490

Net cash used in investing activities		(987,386	)		(1,804,048	)		(2,821,388	)

Forward	$	(849,607	)	$	(1,556,865	)	$	(2,633,529	)

(continued)

W HOLDING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004


	2006			2005			2004

Forward	$	(849,607	)	$	(1,556,865	)	$	(2,633,529	)


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in deposits		907,140			2,085,606			833,791
Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		(475,143	)		(1,150,707	)		1,365,526
Repurchase agreements with original maturities over three months:
Proceeds		2,066,295			5,188,072			6,531,812
Payments		(1,530,700	)		(4,460,863	)		(6,259,856	)
Net decrease in advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		(25,000	)		—			—
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank with original maturities over three months:
Proceeds		—			—			293,000
Payments		(20,000	)		(39,000	)		(228,000	)
Repayments of mortgage note payable		(464	)		(426	)		(376	)
Cash paid on matured embedded derivatives		(33	)		—			—
Net increase in advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance		1,995			1,354			2,206
Dividends paid		(68,140	)		(66,724	)		(50,097	)
Issuance of preferred stock		—			19,253			129,495
Proceeds from stock options exercised		1,072			160			969


Net cash provided by financing activities		857,022			1,576,725			2,618,470


NET CHANGE IN CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS		7,415			19,860			(15,059	)

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, BEGINNING OF YEAR		97,612			77,752			92,811


CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, END OF YEAR	$	105,027		$	97,612		$	77,752


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest on deposits and other borrowings	$	617,153		$	412,671		$	286,918
Income taxes		82,190			32,379			45,742
Noncash activities:
Accrued dividends payable		4,142			4,136			3,300
Net increase in other comprehensive income		277			219			721
Mortgage loans securitized and transferred to:
Trading securities		7,419			4,700			8,489
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity		1,189			—			2,305
Transfer from:
Trading securities to available for sale securities		1,605			—			—
Investment securities held to maturity to available for sale securities		20,552			—			—
Loans to foreclosed real estate held for sale		4,826			4,172			3,015
Undivided profits to reserve fund		9,999			16,183			17,298
Mortgage loans originated to finance the sale of foreclosed real estate held for sale		1,728			2,734			1,545
Unpaid additions to premises and equipment		562			1,328			191
Effect of derivative transactions:
Decrease (increase) in other assets		(7,424	)		1,412			11
Increase in deposits		8,197			4,490			6,368
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		(838	)		3,613			(7,768	)
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock:
Common stock		13			123			632
Paid-in capital		(10	)		(88	)		(355	)
Preferred stock		(3	)		(35	)		(277	)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

(concluded)

W HOLDING COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005 AND 2004

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

W Holding Company, Inc. (the “Company”) is a financial holding company offering a full range of financial services. The business of the Company is conducted primarily through its wholly owned commercial bank subsidiary, Westernbank Puerto Rico (“Westernbank” or the “Bank”). The Company’s other direct subsidiary is Westernbank Insurance Corp. The Company was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in February 1999 to become the bank holding company of Westernbank. Westernbank was founded as a savings institution in 1958 operating in the western and southwestern regions of Puerto Rico, focusing on retail banking and emphasizing long-term fixed-rate residential mortgage loans on one-to-four family residential properties. In 1994, Westernbank changed its charter to become a full-service commercial bank. Westernbank offers a full range of business and consumer financial services, including banking, trust and brokerage services. Westernbank Insurance Corp. is a general insurance agent placing property, casualty, life and disability insurance. The assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of Westernbank Insurance Corp. at December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, were not significant.

Westernbank operates through 56 full service branch offices located throughout Puerto Rico, including 33 in the Western and Southwestern regions, 7 in the Northeastern region, 14 in the San Juan metropolitan area, and 2 in the Eastern region, and a website on the Internet. Westernbank’s traditional banking operations include retail operations, such as its branches, including the branches of the Expresso division, together with consumer loans, mortgage loans, commercial loans (excluding the asset-based lending operations), investments (treasury) and deposit products. Besides the traditional banking operations, Westernbank operates through five other divisions: Westernbank International Division, which is an International Banking Entity (“IBE”) under the Puerto Rico Act No. 52 of August 11, 1989, as amended, known as the International Banking Center Regulatory Act, which offers commercial and related services, and treasury and investment activities outside of Puerto Rico; Westernbank Business Credit, which specializes in commercial business loans secured principally by commercial real estate, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment; Westernbank Trust Division, which offers a full array of trust services; Expresso of Westernbank, a division which specializes in small, unsecured consumer loans up to $15,000 and real estate collateralized consumer loans up to $150,000, through 20 full-service branches; and Westernbank International Trade Services, a division created in the first quarter of 2006, which specializes in international trade products and services.

Westernbank World Plaza, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Westernbank, owns and operates Westernbank World Plaza, a 23-story office building, including its related parking facility, located in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, the main Puerto Rican business district. Westernbank World Plaza serves as the Company’s San Juan metropolitan area headquarters for Westernbank’s regional commercial lending office and headquarters for the Westernbank Business Credit, Expresso of Westernbank and Westernbank International Trade Services divisions. Westernbank also owns 100% of the voting shares of SRG Net, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation that operates an electronic funds transfer network. The assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of SRG Net, Inc. at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, were not significant.

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and banking industry practices. Following is a summary of the Company’s most significant accounting policies:

Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Westernbank Puerto Rico and Westernbank Insurance Corp. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk — Most of the Company’s business activities are with customers located within Puerto Rico. Notes 2 and 3 discuss the types of securities that the Company invests in; Note 4 discusses the types of lending that the Company engages in; and Note 19 discusses the types of derivative instruments that the Company enters into. The Company does not have any significant concentration in any one industry or customer, except as discussed in Note 4.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — For purposes of presentation in the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are those amounts included in the statements of financial condition as “cash and due from banks”.

Interest-Bearing Deposits in Banks and Federal Funds Sold — Interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold are carried at cost and mature within the next two business days.

Securities — Securities are classified as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading on the date of purchase. Only those securities classified as held-to-maturity, and which management has the intent and ability to hold to maturity, are reported at amortized cost. Available-for-sale and trading securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related deferred income taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and noninterest income, respectively. The fair value of a security is determined based on quotations received from securities dealers. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on quoted prices of similar instruments. Realized securities gains or losses are reported within noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are reviewed at least quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment. The review includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each individual investment such as the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below cost, the expectation for that security’s performance, the credit worthiness of the issuer and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value if classified as available for sale, or to maturity. A decline in value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recorded as a loss within noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income.

The equity securities and corporate notes impairment analyses are performed and reviewed at least quarterly based on the latest financial information and any supporting research report made by major brokerage houses. These analyses are subjective and based, among other things, on relevant financial data such as capitalization, cash flows, liquidity, systematic risk, and debt outstanding. Management also considers the industry trends, the historical performance of the stock, as well as the Company’s intent to hold the security. If management believes that there is a low probability of achieving book value in a reasonable time frame, then an impairment is recorded by writing down the security to fair value.

Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale — Residential mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Fair value is based on the contract price at which the mortgage loans will be sold. The Company generally has commitments to sell residential mortgage loans held for sale in the secondary market. Net unrealized losses are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. Realized gains or losses on these loans are determined using the specific identification method. Commitments to sell residential loans held for sale in the secondary market were not significant at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

Loans — Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off, are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance computed using the effective interest method. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method or a method which approximates the interest method. Discounts and premiums on purchased loans are amortized to income over the expected lives of the loans using methods that approximate the interest method.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when there is a clear indication that the borrower’s cash flows may not be sufficient to meet payments as they become due, but in no event is it recognized after 90 days in arrears on payments of principal or interest. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is charged against income and the loan is accounted for on the cash method thereafter, until qualifying for return to accrual status. Generally, a loan is returned to accrual status when all delinquent interest and principal payments become current in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or when the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection and collectibility is no longer doubtful. Consumer loans that have principal and interest payments that have become past due one hundred and twenty days and credit cards and other consumer revolving lines of credit that have principal and interest payments that have become past due one hundred and eighty days are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.

Allowance for Loan Losses — The Company maintains an allowance to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level the Company considers to be adequate to absorb probable loan losses, based on evaluations of the collectibility and historical loss experience of loans. Estimates of losses inherent in the loan portfolio involve the exercise of judgment and the use of assumptions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The allowance is increased by a provision for loan losses, which is charged to expense and reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Provisions for loan losses are based on the Company’s review of the historical loan loss experience and such factors that, in management’s judgment, deserve consideration under existing economic conditions in estimating probable loan losses. Changes in the allowance relating to impaired loans are charged or credited to the provision for loan losses. Because of uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, management’s estimate of credit losses in the loan portfolio and the related allowance may change in the near term.

The allowance for loan losses is based on ongoing quarterly assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company follows a systematic methodology to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. This methodology consists of several key elements. Larger commercial and construction loans that exhibit probable or observed credit weaknesses are subject to individual review. Where appropriate, allowances are allocated to individual loans based on management’s estimate of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of cash flow and legal options available to the Company.

Included in the review of individual loans are those that are impaired as provided in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, as amended. Any allowances for impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans’ effective interest rate, or at the fair value of the underlying collateral. Commercial business, commercial real estate and construction loans, exceeding $500,000, are individually evaluated for impairment. Other loans are evaluated in homogeneous groups and collectively evaluated for impairment. Loans that are recorded at fair value or at the lower of cost or fair value are not evaluated for impairment. Impaired loans for which the discounted cash flows or collateral value exceeds its carrying value do not require an allowance. The Company evaluates the collectibility of both principal and interest when assessing the need for loss accrual.

Historical loss rates are applied to other commercial and construction loans not subject to specific allowance allocations. The loss rates are generally derived from average loss trends (historical net charge-off and changes in specific allowances) from three to five years.

Homogeneous loans, such as consumer installments, residential mortgage loans, and credit cards are not individually risk graded. Allowances are established for each pool of loans based on the expected net charge-offs for one year. Loss rates are based on the average loss trends (historical net charge-off and changes in specific allowances) from one to three years by loan category.

Historical loss rates may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, reflect the impact of any current condition on loss recognition. Factors that management considers in the analysis include the effect of the national and local economies, trends in the nature and volume of loans (delinquencies, charge-offs, non-accrual and problem loans), asset quality trends, changes in the internal lending policies and credit standards, collection practices, and examination results from bank regulatory agencies and the Company’s internal credit examiners.

An unallocated allowance is maintained to recognize the imprecision in estimating and measuring loss when evaluating allowances for individual loans or pools of loans. Allowances on individual loans and historical loss rates are reviewed quarterly and adjusted as necessary based on changing borrower and/or collateral conditions and actual collection and charge-off experience.

The Company has not substantively changed any aspect of its overall approach in the determination of the allowance for loan losses. There have been no material changes in assumptions or estimation techniques as compared to prior years that impacted the determination of the current year allowance for loan losses.

Foreclosed Real Estate Held for Sale — Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. All properties are periodically evaluated by management. Reductions in fair value, gains (losses) on sales, and revenue and expenses from the operations of such properties are included in noninterest expenses as net gain (loss) from operations of foreclosed real estate held for sale.

Premises and Equipment — Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from two to 40 years.

Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the lives of the related leases or the estimated useful lives of the related assets, whichever is shorter. Costs of maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are charged to expense as incurred.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. No indications of impairment are evident as a result of such review during 2006, 2005 and 2004.

Transfers of Financial Assets — Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as a sale, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the transferor, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the transferor does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before maturity.

Mortgage Servicing Rights — The Company recognizes as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans for others, regardless of how those servicing rights are acquired and assesses the capitalized mortgage servicing rights for impairment based on the fair value of those rights. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual servicing right, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount for that right.

The total cost of mortgage loans 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. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated servicing income.

Stock Option Plans — The Company follows the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004). In this regard, compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognized over the service period.

Income Taxes — Deferred income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and the respective tax bases and operating and capital losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

Financial Instruments:

• Derivative Financial Instruments — As part of the Company’s asset/liability management, the Company uses interest-rate contracts, which include interest-rate exchange agreements (swaps), and option agreements, to hedge various exposures or to modify interest rate characteristics of various statement of financial condition items.

The Company accounts for its derivatives under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. This Standard requires recognition of all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial condition and requires measurement of those instruments at fair value through adjustments to either accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) or current earnings or both, as appropriate. The Company designates derivative instruments as either a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge or as a derivative instrument not designated as a hedge. For a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment attributable to the hedged risk are recorded in current period net income. For a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument, to the extent that it is effective, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified to net income in the same period(s) that the hedged transaction impacts net income. For all hedging relationships, derivative gains and losses that are not effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current period net income. Similarly, the changes in fair value of derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133 are also reported in current period net income, in noninterest income.

• Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments — In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into off-balance sheet credit related financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, commitments under credit card arrangements and standby and commercial letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they are funded or related fees are incurred or received. The Company periodically evaluates the credit risks inherent in these commitments and standby and commercial letters of credit, and establishes loss allowances for such risks if and when these are deemed necessary. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company did not record any loss allowances in connection with risks involved in off-balance sheet credit related financial instruments. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, there were no additional off-balance sheet credit related financial instruments other than those mentioned above.

Earnings per Share — In accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share, basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing adjusted income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares represent assumed conversion of outstanding convertible preferred stock, which are determined using the if-converted method, and outstanding stock options, which are determined using the treasury stock method. The effect of convertible preferred stock (1,683,694 shares in 2006, 1,696,097 shares in 2005, and 1,819,400 shares in 2004, as adjusted) was antidilutive in 2006 and dilutive in 2005 and 2004. The effect of stock options was dilutive in 2006, 2005 and 2004.

Basic and diluted earnings per common share were computed as follows:


	2006			2005			2004
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Net income	$	100,531		$	163,086		$	171,876
Less preferred stock dividends		(36,911	)		(36,985	)		(27,158	)


Income available to common stockholders — basic		63,620			126,101			144,718
Plus convertible preferred stock dividends		—			887			1,189

Income available to common stockholders — diluted	$	63,620		$	126,988		$	145,907


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year		164,380			164,024			163,348	(1	)
Dilutive potential common shares — stock options		3,671			4,899			5,276	(1	)
Assumed conversion of preferred stock		—			1,696			1,819	(1	)


Total		168,051			170,619			170,443


Basic earnings per common share	$	0.39		$	0.77		$	0.89	(1	)

Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.38		$	0.74		$	0.86	(1	)


(1)		Adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split and 2% stock dividend declared in December 2004 and distributed on
		January 10, 2005.

Comprehensive Income — Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances, except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in the statement of financial condition, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 consisted of the unrealized gain on investment securities available for sale.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on Issue 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. The EITF reached a consensus on an other-than-temporary impairment model for debt and equity securities accounted for under SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and cost method investments. In September 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position (“FSP”) No. EITF 03-01-1, Effective Date of Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF 03-01. This FSP delayed the effective date of the measurement and recognition guidance contained in paragraphs 10-20 of Issue 03-01. In November 2005, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. This FSP nullifies certain requirements of Issue 03-1 and supersedes EITF Abstracts, Topic No. D-44, Recognition of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment upon the Planned Sale of a Security Whose Cost Exceeds Fair Value. Based on the clarification provided in FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, the amount of any other-than-temporary impairment that needs to be recognized will continue to be dependent on market conditions, the occurrence of certain events or changes in circumstances relative to an investee and an entity’s intent and ability to hold the impaired investment at the time of the valuation. FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1 was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of this FSP did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets — an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29. The guidance in APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions, is based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. The guidance in that Opinion, however, included certain exceptions to that principle. This Statement amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This Statement shall be applied prospectively and is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Earlier application is permitted for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after the date of issuance of this Statement. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143 (“FIN No. 47”). This interpretation clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. Thus, the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The types of asset retirement obligations that are covered by this interpretation are those for which an entity has a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity, however the timing and/or method of settling the obligation are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. FIN No. 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. This interpretation is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The adoption of FIN No. 47 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company's financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109. FIN No. 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Under the new guidance, tax positions shall initially be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions shall initially and subsequently be measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. FIN No. 48 also revises disclosure requirements to include an annual tabular rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits. FIN No. 48 is effective on January 1, 2007. Upon adoption, management estimates that a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $11.7 million will be charged to retained earnings to increase the accrued liability for uncertain tax positions, which is subject to revision as management completes its analysis.

A comparative summary of resell agreements as of December 31, is as follows:


	2006				2005
			Fair				Fair
			Value of				Value of
	Receivable		Underlying		Receivable		Underlying
Underlying Collateral	Balance		Collateral		Balance		Collateral
			(In thousands)
Investment securities:
U.S. Government and agencies obligations	$	470,757	$	510,314	$	5,000	$	5,277
Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations		—		—		30,000		31,118
U.S. municipal bonds		40,373		42,446		40,039		41,685
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) certificates		57,502		55,807		55,000		54,622
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) certificates		21,741		25,076		495,000		507,423

Total — excluding accrued interest receivable	$	590,373	$	633,643	$	625,039	$	640,125


Accrued interest receivable on resell agreements	$	3,936			$	2,922

Information about the fair value of collateral received that the Company is permitted by contract or custom to sell or repledge at December 31, is as follows:


	2006				2005
			Collateral Sold				Collateral Sold
	Collateral		under Repurchase		Collateral		under Repurchase
	Received		Agreements		Received		Agreements
			(In thousands)
Investment securities:
U.S. Government and agencies obligations	$	510,314	$	510,314	$	—	$	—


Mortgage-backed securities:
FNMA certificates		25,076		25,076		507,423		507,423
FHLMC certificates		55,807		55,807		54,622		54,622

				.

Subtotal		80,883		80,883		562,045		562,045


Total	$	591,197	$	591,197	$	562,045	$	562,045

The Company monitors the fair value of the underlying securities as compared to the related receivable, including accrued interest, and requests additional collateral when the fair value of the underlying collateral falls to less than the collateral requirement. The collateral requirement is equal to 102 percent of the related receivable, including interest. At December 31, 2006, resell agreements amounting to $40.4 million mature the next business day, $200.0 million mature in 2009 and $350.0 million mature in 2010. At December 31, 2006, there are $550.0 million in resell agreements where the counterparty has the option to terminate the agreement quarterly, at each interest payment date. Securities purchased under resell agreements may be held in safekeeping, in the name of the Company, by Citibank N.A., the Company’s custodian, or held by the counterparty. At December 31, 2006, all collateral was held by the counterparties.

3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES:

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investment securities at December 31, were as follows:


			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
December 31, 2006	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
	(In thousands)
Available for sale:
Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations	$	17,695	$	355	$	—	$	18,050
Equity securities — common stock		2,491		—		—		2,491

Total	$	20,186	$	355	$	—	$	20,541


Held to maturity:
U.S. Government and agencies obligations	$	6,314,091	$	63	$	148,070	$	6,166,084
Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations		11,663		—		416		11,247
Corporate notes		21,433		546		26		21,953


Subtotal		6,347,187		609		148,512		6,199,284


Mortgage-backed securities:
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) certificates		7,140		163		2		7,301
FHLMC certificates		3,055		75		—		3,130
FNMA certificates		3,358		72		12		3,418
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO’s) issued or guaranteed by FHLMC		573,735		42		61,457		512,320
CMO’s issued or guaranteed by FNMA		73,104		—		4,298		68,806


Subtotal		660,392		352		65,769		594,975

Total	$	7,007,579	$	961	$	214,281	$	6,794,259


			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
December 31, 2005	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
	(In thousands)
Available for sale:
CMO’s issued or guaranteed by FNMA	$	191	$	—	$	6	$	185
Equity securities — common stock		4,965		26		10		4,981

Total	$	5,156	$	26	$	16	$	5,166


Held to maturity:
U.S. Government and agencies obligations	$	6,314,316	$	55	$	162,804	$	6,151,567
Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations		31,824		132		541		31,415
Corporate notes		26,429		1,276		—		27,705


Subtotal		6,372,569		1,463		163,345		6,210,687


Mortgage-backed securities:
GNMA certificates		8,082		187		4		8,265
FHLMC certificates		4,180		128		—		4,308
FNMA certificates		2,828		113		—		2,941
CMO’s issued or guaranteed by FHLMC		607,659		38		58,080		549,617
CMO’s issued or guaranteed by FNMA		78,707		—		3,436		75,271


Subtotal		701,456		466		61,520		640,402

Total	$	7,074,025	$	1,929	$	224,865	$	6,851,089

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale and held to maturity at December 31, 2006, by contractual maturity (excluding mortgage-backed securities), are shown below.


	Available for sale				Held to Maturity
	Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
	(In thousands)

Due within one year	$	3,000	$	3,015	$	379,602	$	378,915
Due after one year through five years		10,115		10,305		5,767,295		5,625,467
Due after five years through ten years		4,580		4,730		178,857		172,949
Due after ten years		—		—		21,433		21,953

Subtotal		17,695		18,050		6,347,187		6,199,284
Mortgage-backed securities		—		—		660,392		594,975
Equity securities		2,491		2,491		—		—


Total	$	20,186	$	20,541	$	7,007,579	$	6,794,259


	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross		Number of
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Investment
December 31, 2005	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Positions
					(In thousands)
Available for sale:
CMO’s issued or guaranteed by FNMA	$	—	$	—	$	185	$	6	$	185	$	6		1
Equity securities - common stock		1,320		10		—		—		1,320		10		4

Total	$	1,320	$	10	$	185	$	6	$	1,505	$	16		5


Held to maturity:
U.S. Government and agencies obligations	$	1,242,859	$	20,626	$	4,628,856	$	142,178	$	5,871,715	$	162,804		84
Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations		5,154		36		16,130		505		21,284		541		9


Subtotal		1,248,013		20,662		4,644,986		142,683		5,892,999		163,345		93


Mortgage-backed securities:
GNMA certificates		1,216		4		—		—		1,216		4		10
CMO’s issued or guaranteed by FHLMC		29,262		692		505,921		57,388		535,183		58,080		11
CMO’s issued or guaranteed by FNMA		19,476		469		55,795		2,967		75,271		3,436		6


Subtotal		49,954		1,165		561,716		60,355		611,670		61,520		27


Total	$	1,297,967	$	21,827	$	5,206,702	$	203,038	$	6,504,669	$	224,865		120

Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are reviewed at least quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment. The review includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each individual investment such as the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below cost, the expectation for that security’s performance, the credit worthiness of the issuer and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value if classified as available for sale, or to maturity. A decline in value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recorded as a loss within noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income. During the quarter ended June 30, 2006, management concluded that certain held-to-maturity investments in Puerto Rico Government Obligations (“PRGO’s”), with an amortized cost of $21,615,000 were other-than-temporarily impaired and recorded an impairment loss of $1.1 million. These securities were downgraded by one notch below investment grade in May 2006. As a result of the downgrade just below investment grade of these PRGO’s, they were transferred to the available for sale category at their fair value of $20,552,000. In addition, during the quarter ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $750,000 on its equity securities available for sale.

The Company’s investment portfolio as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, consisted principally of U.S. Government and agencies obligations, Puerto Rico Government and agencies obligations, and mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by FHLMC, FNMA or GNMA. There were no investment securities other than those referred to before in a significant unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2006. In addition, the Company does not have investments in residual tranches.

Except for the PRGO’s mentioned before, at December 31, 2006 and 2005, the significant unrealized loss position relates to interest rate changes and not to market or credit deterioration of any of the securities issuers. The Company assessed the ratings of the different agencies for the mortgage-backed securities, noting that all of them have maintained the highest rating by all the rating agencies and reflect a stable outlook. In addition, the held-to-maturity PRGO’s continue to be rated as investment grade as of December 31, 2006. Investment securities with prepayment provisions did not have significant unamortized premiums at December 31, 2006 and 2005. The aggregate unrealized gross losses of the investment securities available for sale and held to maturity amounted to $214.3 million and $224.9 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

101

4. LOANS:

The loan portfolio at December 31, 2006 and 2005, consisted of the following:


	2006			2005
	(In thousands)
REAL ESTATE LOANS SECURED BY MORTGAGES ON:
Commercial real estate	$	4,955,233		$	4,270,856
Residential real estate, mainly one-to-four family residences		1,040,522			1,299,558
Construction and land acquisition		730,863			516,552


Subtotal		6,726,618			6,086,966


Plus (less):
Undisbursed portion of loans in process		(2,707	)		(4,043	)
Premium on loans purchased		106			503
Deferred loan fees — net		(40,339	)		(18,872	)


Subtotal		(42,940	)		(22,412	)


Real estate loans — net		6,683,678			6,064,554


OTHER LOANS:
Commercial loans		1,283,692			1,022,030
Consumer loans:
Loans on deposits		36,580			30,738
Credit cards		48,708			49,352
Installment		724,245			749,905
Plus (less):
Premium on loans purchased		—			393
Deferred loan fees — net		(9,036	)		(8,943	)

Other loans — net		2,084,189			1,843,475


TOTAL LOANS		8,767,867			7,908,029

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES		(126,844	)		(92,406	)


LOANS — NET	$	8,641,023		$	7,815,623

The Company originated $1.87 billion of commercial real estate loans, including construction loans, during the year ended December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2006, commercial real estate loans totaled $4.96 billion. In general, commercial real estate mortgage loans are considered by management to be of somewhat greater risk of uncollectibility due to the dependency on income production or future development of the real estate. The commercial real estate loans are principally collateralized by property dedicated to wholesale, retail and rental business activities.

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, residential and commercial real estate loans included $940.0 million and $1.14 billion, respectively, of fixed and floating interest rate loans to two mortgage originator groups in Puerto Rico, mainly secured by mortgages on one-to-four family residential properties.

103

Commissioner of Financial Institutions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with respect to the statutory limit for individual borrowers (loan to one borrower limit), which allows the Company to retain the above significant commercial loans in its portfolio until these are paid in full (see Note 13).

On June 30, 2006, Westernbank entered into an agreement to restructure the terms of the original transactions of the $894.0 million lending relationship described above. The agreement eliminated the recourse provisions on the underlying loans, terminated the counterparties’ call rights, converted the return from variable to a fixed rate, and resulted in a net compensation of $25.8 million to Westernbank. One of the purposes of that transaction was to give Westernbank the ability to use sale accounting treatment. However, because most of the individual mortgage loans were originally transferred to the ultimate transferor within the mortgage originator group by two of its affiliates, the Company has not been able to obtain persuasive evidence that the transfers of loans from the affiliates to the entity that subsequently transferred the loans to Westernbank met all the criteria for sale accounting under the provisions of SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. As a result, the Company continues to present these transactions as commercial loans secured by real estate mortgages. The net compensation of $25.8 million received by Westernbank in connection with the June 30, 2006 transaction is being amortized over the remaining life of these loans as a yield adjustment.

Foreign loans, mainly to entities in Canada and in the United Kingdom, amounted to $109,328,000 and $64,113,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

At December 31, 2006, residential and commercial loans amounting to $717,777,000 were pledged to secure advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (see Note 10).

The Company originates residential mortgage loans for portfolio investment or sale in the secondary market. During the period of origination, residential mortgage loans are designated as held for either sale or investment purposes. Residential mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, residential mortgage loans with a cost of $11,412,000 and $1,584,000, respectively, were designated as held for sale.

The following table reflects the outstanding principal balance of non-accrual loans and the corresponding effect on earnings at December 31,:


	2006		2005		2004
	(In thousands)

Outstanding principal balance at end of year	$	165,812	$	63,998	$	34,269


Interest that would have been recorded if the loans had been performing and not been classified as non-accrual	$	9,052	$	4,916	$	3,557

Residential mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the consolidated statements of financial condition. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the unpaid principal balance of these loans amounted to $264,739,000 and $271,870,000, respectively. Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors and foreclosure processing. Loan servicing income includes servicing fees from investors and certain charges collected from borrowers, such as late payment fees. In connection with the loans serviced for others, the Company held borrowers’ escrow balances of $915,000 and $894,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Mortgage servicing rights, included as other assets, amounted to $3,026,000 and $3,070,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company capitalized mortgage servicing rights amounting to $285,000, $257,000, and $904,000, respectively. Amortization of mortgage servicing rights was $329,000, $488,000, and $424,000 in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the carrying value of mortgage servicing rights approximates fair value.

In the normal course of business, the Company engages in business transactions with its directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and organizations associated with them. Loans to related parties, mainly mortgage loans for purchase of the principal residence, are substantially on the same terms as loans to non-related parties. The aggregate amount of loans outstanding to related parties at December 31, 2006 and 2005 totaled $713,000 and $831,000, respectively.

104

Changes in the allowance for loan losses are summarized below:


	2006			2005			2004
	(In thousands)

Balance — at January 1	$	92,406		$	80,066		$	61,608
Provision charged to income		64,550			31,000			36,691
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off		5,164			3,503			3,970
Charge-off of uncollectible accounts		(35,276	)		(22,163	)		(22,203	)


Balance — at December 31	$	126,844		$	92,406		$	80,066

The total investment in impaired commercial and construction loans at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $161,672,000 and $81,611,000, respectively. All impaired commercial and construction loans were measured based on the fair value of collateral at December 31, 2006 and 2005. Impaired commercial and construction loans amounting to $139,498,000 and $32,542,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were covered by a valuation allowance of $39,106,000 and $14,185,000, respectively. Impaired commercial and construction loans amounting to $22,174,000 and $49,069,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, did not require a valuation allowance. The average investment in impaired commercial and construction loans during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, amounted to $120,147,000, $61,113,000 and $46,509,000, respectively. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest income related to impaired loans on a cash basis, when these are over 90 days in arrears on payments of principal or interest. Interest on impaired commercial and construction loans collected and recognized as income during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, amounted to $5,815,000, $4,044,000 and $2,460,000, respectively.

5. FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE HELD FOR SALE:

Foreclosed real estate held for sale at December 31, consisted of the following:


	2006		2005
	(In thousands)
Balance, foreclosed real estate held for sale:
Residential (1 - 4 units)	$	2,341	$	895
Commercial		4,025		3,469


Total		6,366		4,364
Less valuation allowance		449		227


Foreclosed real estate held for sale — net	$	5,917	$	4,137

Changes in the allowance for foreclosed real estate held for sale are summarized below:


	2006		2005			2004
	(In thousands)

Balance — at January 1	$	227	$	306		$	28
Provision (credit)		222		(59	)		553
Write-offs		—		(20	)		(275	)


Balance — at December 31	$	449	$	227		$	306

105

6. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT:

Premises and equipment at December 31, consisted of the following:


	2006		2005
	(In thousands)

Land and improvements	$	31,106	$	30,388
Buildings and improvements		69,043		63,520
Furniture and equipment		31,792		25,167
Leasehold improvements		15,394		14,524
Construction in progress		7,274		5,470

Total		154,609		139,069
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		29,961		21,446

Total	$	124,648	$	117,623

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, amounted to $8,696,000, $7,093,000 and $7,034,000, respectively.

7. DEPOSITS AND INTEREST EXPENSE:

Deposits at December 31, consisted of the following:


	2006		2005
	(In thousands)

Noninterest bearing accounts	$	373,634	$	277,099
Passbook accounts		728,879		774,727
NOW accounts		249,591		288,703
Super NOW accounts		24,958		30,487
Money market accounts		53		126
Certificates of deposit		7,842,606		6,933,275


Total		9,219,721		8,304,417
Accrued interest payable		117,342		71,192


Total	$	9,337,063	$	8,375,609

The weighted average interest rate of all deposits at December 31, 2006 and 2005, was approximately 4.42% and 3.60%, respectively. At December 31, 2006, the aggregate amount of deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more was $1,547,400,000 ($996,301,000 at December 31, 2005). Certificates of deposit include brokered deposits of $6,719,084,000 and $5,982,140,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Deposits of directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and organizations associated with them amounted to $17,584,000 and $16,304,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

At December 31, 2006, the scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit are as follows:


Year Ending	Amount
December 31,	(In thousands)

2007	$	5,421,235
2008		1,050,814
2009		762,612
2010		70,498
2011		75,637
Thereafter		461,810


Total	$	7,842,606

106

At December 31, 2006, the Company had pledged investment securities held to maturity with a carrying value of $29,725,000, mortgage-backed securities held to maturity with a carrying value of $7,236,000, and investment securities available for sale with a carrying value of $18,050,000 to secure public funds, and mortgage-backed securities held to maturity with a carrying value of $205,000 as bond requirement for individual retirement accounts.

A summary of interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, is as follows:


	2006		2005		2004
	(In thousands)

Passbook accounts	$	15,583	$	16,793	$	16,787
NOW, Super NOW and Money Market accounts		5,829		5,788		5,267
Certificates of deposit		344,651		218,687		144,183


Total	$	366,063	$	241,268	$	166,237

8. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS:

Repurchase agreements, and the related weighted average interest rates at December 31, 2006 and 2005, consisted of the following:


	2006					2005
			Weighted Average					Weighted Average
	Amount		Interest Rate			Amount		Interest Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Repurchase agreements:
Fixed rate	$	4,506,397				$	4,986,893
Variable rate		1,814,084					1,273,136

Total	$	6,320,481		4.96	%	$	6,260,029		4.38	%

The Company enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase the same securities (“repurchase agreements”). Repurchase agreements are classified as secured borrowings and are reflected as a liability in the consolidated statements of financial condition. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, fixed-coupon repurchase agreements include $482,848,000 of long-term agreements with fixed rate step-up schedule. During the period of such agreements, the securities were delivered to the counterparties. The dealers may have sold, loaned, or otherwise disposed of such securities to other parties in the normal course of their operations, and have agreed to resell to the Company the same securities at the maturities of the agreements. The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities.

Repurchase agreements at December 31, 2006, mature as follows: within 30 days — $1,070,582,000; within 31 days to one year — $651,586,000; in 2008 — $1,491,320,000; in 2009 — $1,239,065,000; in 2010 — $1,210,230,000; and thereafter — $657,698,000. At December 31, 2006, with respect to repurchase agreements amounting to $3,423,543,000, the counterparties have the option to terminate the agreements at the first anniversary date and each interest payment date thereafter. For Federal Home Loan Bank of New York repurchase agreements, see Note 10.

107

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, repurchase agreements (classified by counterparty) were as follows:


	2006				2005
			Fair Value				Fair Value
	Borrowing		of Underlying		Borrowing		of Underlying
	Balance		Collateral		Balance		Collateral
	(In thousands)

Credit Suisse First Boston LLC	$	1,107,250	$	1,190,537	$	1,153,250	$	1,212,002
Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc. and affiliates		1,024,555		1,069,001		771,586		807,139
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and affiliates		928,463		961,039		1,049,916		1,074,841
UBS Financial Services Incorporated of Puerto Rico		845,015		882,520		844,526		887,330
J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.		647,500		678,488		542,500		565,853
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter		561,500		574,462		552,000		560,190
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York		448,000		448,607		534,000		548,658
Lehman Brothers Inc. and affiliates		433,198		505,948		504,248		584,833
Barclays Capital, Inc.		325,000		346,436		95,580		97,515
Wachovia Securities, LLC		—		—		212,423		215,943


Total	$	6,320,481	$	6,657,038	$	6,260,029	$	6,554,304

Borrowings under repurchase agreements at December 31, were collateralized as follows:


	2006				2005
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
Securities Underlying	Value of		Value of		Value of		Value of
Repurchase	Underlying		Underlying		Underlying		Underlying
Agreements	Collateral		Collateral		Collateral		Collateral
	(In thousands)

U.S. Government and agencies obligations — held to maturity	$	5,782,172	$	5,629,413	$	5,601,534	$	5,461,880
Mortgage-backed securities — held to maturity		486,449		436,428		597,169		530,194
Mortgage-backed securities purchased under agreements to resell		577,906		591,197		559,890		562,045
Mortgage-backed securities - available for sale		—		—		185		185

Total		6,846,527	$	6,657,038		6,758,778	$	6,554,304


Accrued interest receivable of underlying securities		59,186				57,031


Total	$	6,905,713			$	6,815,809

108

A summary of short-term borrowings, including federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements and advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (see Note 10), and interest rates at and for the year ended December 31, are indicated below:


	2006			2005
	(Dollars in thousands)
Federal funds purchased:
Balance at end of year	$	—		$	—
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		—			—
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	3,077		$	8,851
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.69	%		2.43	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	40,000		$	40,039

Repurchase agreements:
Balance at end of year	$	1,070,582		$	1,545,725
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.33	%		4.34	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	1,731,600		$	2,377,629
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.97	%		3.03	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	2,282,650		$	3,514,422

Advances from FHLB:
Balance at end of year	$	25,000		$	50,000
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.43	%		4.45	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	33,462		$	21,923
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		5.01	%		3.49	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	50,000		$	50,000

Total short-term borrowings:
Balance at end of year	$	1,095,582		$	1,595,725
Weighted-average interest rate at year end		5.33	%		4.34	%
Monthly average outstanding balance	$	1,768,139		$	2,408,403
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		4.97	%		3.03	%
Maximum month-end balance	$	2,322,650		$	3,579,461

9. LINES OF CREDIT:

As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, Westernbank had line of credit agreements with four and seven commercial banks, respectively, permitting Westernbank to borrow a maximum aggregate amount of $250,000,000 and $315,000,000, mainly through federal funds purchased. There were no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, under such lines of credit. The agreements provide for unsecured advances to be used by the Company on an overnight basis. The interest rate is negotiated at the time of the transaction usually at Federal Funds rate. The credit agreements are renewable annually.

109

10. ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK AND MORTGAGE NOTE PAYABLE:

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and mortgage note payable, and the related weighted average interest rates at December 31, consisted of the following:


	2006					2005
			Weighted					Weighted
			Average					Average
	Amount		Interest Rate			Amount		Interest Rate
			(Dollars in thousands)
ADVANCES FROM FHLB:
Fixed rate convertible advances (4.45% to 5.93%)	$	67,000				$	92,000

Variable rate convertible advances (96% to 100% of the three-month LIBOR rate)		60,000					80,000


Total advances from FHLB	$	127,000		5.54	%	$	172,000		4.77	%


MORTGAGE NOTE PAYABLE	$	35,968		8.05	%	$	36,432		8.05	%

Advances and repurchase agreements (Note 8) are received from the FHLB under an agreement whereby the Company is required to maintain a minimum amount of qualifying collateral with a fair value of at least 110% and 105% of the outstanding advances and repurchase agreements, respectively. At December 31, 2006, convertible advances were secured by residential and commercial mortgage loans amounting to $717,777,000 and investment securities held to maturity with a carrying value of $11,000,000. At the advances’ and repurchase agreements’ first anniversary date and each quarter thereafter, the FHLB has the option to convert them into replacement funding for the same or a lesser principal amount based on any funding then offered by FHLB at the then current market rates, unless the interest rate has been predetermined between FHLB and the Company. If the Company chooses not to replace the funding, it will repay the convertible advances and reverse repurchase agreements, including any accrued interest, on such optional conversion date.

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, Westernbank World Plaza, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Westernbank Puerto Rico, had outstanding $36.0 million and $36.4 million, respectively, of a mortgage note, at an interest rate of 8.05% per year up to September 11, 2009. Subsequent to September 11, 2009, the mortgage note will bear interest on the then outstanding principal balance at a rate per year equal to the greater of 13.05% or the Treasury Rate plus five percentage points; or 10.05%, depending on the fulfillment of certain conditions on the repricing date. Westernbank World Plaza, Inc. has a prepayment option on the repricing date, without penalty. The mortgage note is collateralized by a 23-story office building, including its related parking facility, located in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

110

Advances from FHLB and the mortgage note payable by contractual maturities at December 31, 2006, mature as follows:


Year Ending	Advances		Mortgage
December 31,	from FHLB		Note Payable
	(In thousands)

2007	$	85,000	$	492
2008		—		526
2009		—		579
2010		42,000		628
2011		—		681
Thereafter		—		33,062


Total	$	127,000	$	35,968

11. INCOME TAXES:

Under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), all companies are treated as separate taxable entities and are not entitled to file consolidated tax returns. The Company, Westernbank, Westernbank Insurance Corp. and SRG Net, Inc. are subject to Puerto Rico regular income tax or alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) on income earned from all sources. The AMT is payable if it exceeds regular income tax. The excess of AMT over regular income tax paid in any one year may be used to offset regular income tax in future years, subject to certain limitations.

Westernbank World Plaza, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Westernbank, elected to be treated as a special partnership under the Code; accordingly, its taxable income or deductible loss is included in the taxable income of Westernbank.

The Code provides a dividend received deduction of 100%, on dividends received from wholly owned subsidiaries subject to income taxation in Puerto Rico. The income on certain investments is exempt for income tax purposes. Also, Westernbank International division operates as an International Banking Entity (“IBE”) under the International Banking Center Regulatory Act. Under Puerto Rico tax law, an IBE can hold non-Puerto Rico assets, and earn interest on these assets, as well as generate fee income outside of Puerto Rico on a tax-exempt basis under certain circumstances. As a result, the Company’s effective tax rate is below the statutory rate.

Pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 13 of January 8, 2004 (the “Act”), for taxable years commencing after June 30, 2003, the net income earned by an IBE that operates as a unit of a bank under the Puerto Rico Banking Law, will be considered taxable and subject to income taxes at the current tax rates in the amount by which the IBE taxable income exceeds 40% in the first applicable taxable year (2004), 30% in the second year (2005) and 20% thereafter, of the taxable income of Westernbank, including its IBE taxable income. Westernbank’s IBE carries on its books a significant amount of securities which are, irrespective of the IBE status, tax exempt by law. Moreover, the Act provides that IBE’s operating as subsidiaries will continue to be exempt from the payment of income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the provisions of the Act did not have any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

On August 1, 2005, the Government of Puerto Rico approved Law No. 41 which imposes a transitory additional surtax of 2.5% of taxable income. This transitory additional income tax is in effect for taxable years 2005 and 2006. This transitory income tax of 2.5% was initially recorded in the third quarter of 2005, and amounted to $3.8 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. On May 13, 2006, with an effective date of January 1, 2006, the Government of Puerto Rico approved Law No. 89 which imposes an additional 2.0% income tax on all companies covered by the Puerto Rico Banking Act, as amended, such as Westernbank. Therefore, Westernbank is now subject to a maximum tax rate of 43.5%. This transitory income tax of 2% amounted to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. These transitory income taxes were intended to be temporary in nature and ended on December 31, 2006.

111

12. NET GAIN (LOSS) ON SALES AND VALUATION OF LOANS HELD FOR SALE, SECURITIES AND OTHER ASSETS:

Net gain (loss) on sales and valuation of loans held for sale, securities and other assets for the years ended December 31, consisted of the following:


	2006			2005		2004
	(In thousands)

Trading account securities, mainly related to loans securitized	$	164		$	154	$	314
Investment securities available for sale (see Note 3)		204			—		128
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities available for sale (see Note 3)		(750	)		—		—
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities held to maturity (see Note 3)		(1,063	)		—		—
Mortgage loans held for sale		291			334		1,649
Other		13			59		538


Total	$	(1,141	)	$	547	$	2,629

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has various outstanding commitments and contingent liabilities that are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In addition, the Company is a defendant in certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

The Company, as a Puerto Rico chartered financial holding company and its subsidiaries are each subject to extensive federal and local government supervision and regulation relating to its financial holding company status and the banking and insurance businesses. There are laws and regulations that restrict transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries. In addition, the Company benefits from favorable tax treatment of activities relating to the Westernbank’s International Division. Any change in such regulations, whether by applicable regulators or as a result of legislation subsequently enacted by the Congress of the United States or the applicable local legislature, could have a substantial impact on the companies’ operations.

The Company received from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) notice of a formal order of private investigation into matters that were the subject of a previously announced informal inquiry by the SEC. As previously disclosed, the inquiry appears to be primarily related to the other-than-temporary impairment charges announced by the Company in April 2003, in connection with its investments in corporate bond and loan obligations. The Company does not expect to comment further regarding this matter, as the formal order is a confidential document directing a non-public investigation.

The Company evaluates and assesses the relative risks and appropriate tax treatment of transactions and filing positions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other information and maintains tax accruals consistent with its evaluation of these relative risks and merits. Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by taxing authorities and changes to statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance that impact the relative risks of tax positions. These changes, when they occur, can affect the income tax accruals as well as the current period’s income tax expense and can be significant to the operating results of the Company. The Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition include an accrual of $10.9 million and $667,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, for the exposures resulting from tax positions identified by the Company in connection with this evaluation.

On March 16, 2006, Westernbank Puerto Rico obtained a waiver from the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the “Commissioner”) with respect to the statutory limit for individual borrowers (loan to one borrower limit) in a commercial loan with a mortgage originator in Puerto Rico (see Note 4). This waiver is subject to Westernbank compliance with certain conditions. The Company does not anticipate any problem in complying with the conditions of the waiver.

114

At December 31, 2006, the Company is obligated under non-cancelable operating leases for banking premises. Certain leases contain escalation clauses providing for increased rental. Rent expense, including the proportionate share of maintenance expenses of common areas, administrative expenses, property taxes, utilities and insurance expenses, amounted to $2,700,000, $2,928,000, and $2,629,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

The projected minimum rental payments under the leases with initial or remaining terms of more than one year, without considering renewal options, and expiring through 2025 are as follows:


	Minimum
Year Ending	Rent
December 31,	(In thousands)

2007	$	2,454
2008		1,878
2009		1,295
2010		1,014
2011		915
Thereafter		3,014


Total	$	10,570

14. RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS:

The Company has a non-contributory deferred profit-sharing plan, covering substantially all of its employees, which provides for retirement and disability benefits. The Company’s contribution to the profit-sharing plan is discretionary. The Company’s contributions for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $250,000 for each year.

The Company has a defined contribution plan under Section 1165(e) of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department Internal Revenue Code, covering all full-time employees of the Company who have one year of service and are twenty-one years or older. Under the provisions of this Plan, participants may contribute each year from 2% to 10% of their compensation after deducting social security, up to the maximum deferral amount specified by local law. The Company contributes 50 percent of the first 6 percent of base compensation that a participant contributes to the Plan. Participants are immediately vested in their contributions plus actual earnings thereon. The Company’s contributions plus actual earnings thereon are 100 percent vested after three years of credited service. In case of death or disability, a participant or his/her beneficiary will be 100 percent vested regardless of the number of years of credited service. The Company’s contributions for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, amounted to $595,000, $434,000 and $376,000, respectively.

15. MINIMUM REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS:

The Company is subject to examination, regulation and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, which is administered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Westernbank is regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and by the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Puerto Rico. Westernbank’s deposits, excluding Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), which is administered by the FDIC, up to $100,000 per depositor. IRAs are insured by DIF up to $250,000 per depositor.

The Federal Reserve Board has established guidelines regarding the capital adequacy of bank holding companies, such as the Company. These requirements are substantially similar to those adopted by the FDIC for depository institutions, such as Westernbank, as set forth below.

The Company (on a consolidated basis) and Westernbank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and Westernbank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and Westernbank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.

115

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and Westernbank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, that the Company and Westernbank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

As of March 31, 2006 (latest examination date), Westernbank qualified as a well capitalized institution under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the following table. At December 31, 2006, there are no conditions or events since the latest examination date that management believes have changed Westernbank’s category.

The Companies’ actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, are also presented in the table below:


											Minimum To Be
						Minimum					Well Capitalized Under
						Capital					Prompt Corrective
	Actual					Requirement					Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
						(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2006:

Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	1,351,420		12.51	%	$	864,307		8	%		N/A		N/A
Westernbank		1,274,348		11.81			862,896		8		$	1,078,619		10	%

Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	1,224,576		11.47	%	$	427,080		4	%		N/A		N/A
Westernbank		1,147,504		10.77			426,374		4		$	639,561		6	%

Tier I Capital to Average Assets:
Consolidated	$	1,224,576		7.23	%	$	677,581		4	%		N/A		N/A
Westernbank		1,147,504		6.81			674,245		4		$	842,807		5	%

As of December 31, 2005:

Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	1,282,749		13.13	%	$	781,403		8	%		N/A		N/A
Westernbank		1,208,017		12.39			779,851		8		$	974,813		10	%

Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	1,190,344		12.30	%	$	387,005		4	%		N/A		N/A
Westernbank		1,115,611		11.55			386,229		4		$	579,344		6	%

Tier I Capital to Average Assets:
Consolidated	$	1,190,344		7.48	%	$	477,507		3	%		N/A		N/A
Westernbank		1,115,611		7.04			475,268		3		$	792,113		5	%

116

The Company’s ability to pay dividends to its stockholders and other activities can be restricted if its capital falls below levels established by the Federal Reserve guidelines. In addition, any bank holding company whose capital falls below levels specified in the guidelines can be required to implement a plan to increase capital. Management believes that the Company will continue to meet its capital requirements and its cash obligations as they become due and pay dividends as they are declared.

The principal source of income and funds for the Company (parent company) are dividends from its subsidiaries. Federal and Puerto Rico banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid and loans or advances made by Westernbank to the Company. The total amount of dividends which may be paid at any date is generally limited to the retained earnings of Westernbank, and loans or advances are limited to 10 percent of Westernbank’s capital stock and surplus on a secured basis.

During 2006, the amount of dividends Westernbank can pay to the Company without prior approval of regulatory agencies is limited to its 2006 eligible net profits, as defined, and its adjusted retained 2005 and 2004 net income. In addition, dividends paid by Westernbank to the Company would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause Westernbank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements.

16. COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK TRANSACTIONS:

On December 6, 2004, the Company’s board of directors declared a three-for-two split on its common stock, for stockholders of record as of December 31, 2004 and distributed on January 10, 2005. The effect of the stock split was a decrease in retained earnings and an increase in common stock of approximately $54.6 million.

On December 13, 2004, the Company’s board of directors declared a two percent (2%) stock dividend, for stockholders of record as of December 30, 2004 and distributed on January 10, 2005. The effect of the stock dividend was a decrease in retained earnings, an increase in paid-in-capital and an increase in common stock of approximately $45.8 million, $43.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

During 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company issued 376,051; 56,113; and 328,568 (as adjusted) shares of common stock, respectively, upon exercise of stock options by several of the Company’s executive officers (see Note 17).

The Company has issued the following non-cumulative, monthly income preferred stock:


					Issuance
					Price and
					Liquidation				Proceeds From
Issuance		Dividend			Preference		Shares		Issuance, Net of		Issuance
Year	Type of Preferred Stock	Rate			Per Share		Issued		Issuance Costs		Costs

1998	Convertible, 1998 Series A		7.125	%	$	25		1,219,000	$	29,143,000	$	1,332,000
1999	Non-convertible, 1999 Series B		7.250			25		2,001,000		48,273,000		1,752,000
2001	Non-convertible, 2001 Series C		7.600			25		2,208,000		53,103,000		2,097,000
2001	Non-convertible, 2001 Series D		7.400			25		1,791,999		43,238,000		1,562,000
2002	Non-convertible, 2002 Series E		6.875			25		1,725,000		41,463,000		1,662,000
2003	Non-convertible, 2003 Series F		6.700			25		4,232,000		102,192,000		3,608,000
2003	Non-convertible, 2003 Series G		6.900			25		2,640,000		63,671,000		2,329,000
2004	Non-convertible, 2004 Series H		6.700			50		2,675,500		129,311,000		4,464,000
2005	Non-convertible, 2004 Series H		6.700			50		401,300		19,450,000		615,000


	Total							18,893,799	$	529,844,000	$	19,421,000

117

The preferred stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock as to dividends and liquidation rights. Each share of the 1998 Series A preferred stock is convertible, at the holder’s option, at any time on or after the 90^th day following the issue date, into .995 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment upon certain events. The per share conversion ratio equates to a price of $7.12 (as adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends declared) per share of common stock.

During 2006, 2005 and 2004, 3,550; 35,292; and 276,994 shares, respectively, of the convertible preferred stock 1998 Series A were converted into 12,403; 123,289; and 967,760 (as adjusted) shares of common stock, respectively. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company had outstanding 481,910 and 485,460 shares, respectively, of its 7.125% Non-cumulative, Convertible Monthly Income Preferred Stock, Series A.

The Company may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time at the following redemption prices, if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning July 1 for the 1998 Series A, May 28 for the 1999 Series B, March 30 for the 2001 Series C, August 1 for the 2001 Series D, October 31 for the 2002 Series E, May 30 for the 2003 Series F, August 29 for the 2003 Series G and December 21 for the 2004 Series H of the years indicated below, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to regulatory approval:


	Redemption Price per Share
December 31,	Series A		Series B		Series C		Series D		Series E		Series F		Series G		Series H


2007	$	25.00	$	25.00	$	25.25	$	25.25	$	25.50	$	—	$	—	$	—
2008		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.25		25.50		25.50		—
2009		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.25		25.25		51.00
2010		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		50.50
2011 and thereafter		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		25.00		50.00

17. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS:

The Company has two shareholders-approved stock option plans, the 1999 Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Qualified Option Plan”) and the 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Nonqualified Option Plan”), for the benefit of employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. These plans offer to key officers, directors and employees an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Under the 1999 Qualified Option Plan, options for up to 14,747,670 shares (as adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends) of common stock can be granted. Also, options for up to 14,747,670 shares (as adjusted) of common stock, reduced by any share issued under the 1999 Qualified Option Plan can be granted under the 1999 Nonqualified Option Plan. The option price for both plans is determined at the grant date. Both plans will remain in effect for a term of 10 years. The Board of Directors has sole authority and absolute discretion as to the number of stock options to be granted, their vesting rights, and the options’ exercise price. The options become fully exercisable after five years following the grant date and the maximum contractual term of the options is ten years. The Company’s policy is to issue new shares when share options are exercised. The Plans provide for a proportionate adjustment in the exercise price and the number of shares that can be purchased in the event of a stock split, reclassification of stock and a merger or reorganization.

No options have been granted under the 1999 Nonqualified Option Plan. The activity in outstanding options under the 1999 Qualified Option Plan for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, is set forth below. The activity for the year ended December 31, 2004 was adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split and 2% stock dividend declared in December 2004 and distributed on January 10, 2005.


	2006					2005					2004

				Weighted					Weighted					Weighted
				Average					Average					Average
	Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise		Number of			Exercise
	Options			Price		Options			Price		Options			Price

Beginning of year		7,845,285		$	3.79		7,111,398		$	3.02		7,439,966		$	3.02
Options granted		485,000			5.96		790,000			10.65		—			—
Options excercised		(376,051	)		2.85		(56,113	)		2.85		(328,568	)		2.95
Options forfeited		(245,568	)		7.84		—			—		—			—

End of year		7,708,666		$	3.84		7,845,285		$	3.79		7,111,398		$	3.02

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The Company has various exercise prices for options granted, all of them granted at different dates under the 1999 Qualified Option Plan. The following table summarizes the exercise prices and the weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding at December 31, 2006:


							Weighted
							Average
	Number of Options						Remaining
			Vested or				Contractual
Exercise Prices	Outstanding		Expected to Vest		Exercisable		Life (Years)

$2.85⁽¹⁾		6,199,349		6,199,349		6,199,349		3.10
$3.35⁽¹⁾		193,124		193,124		193,124		4.38
$6.77⁽¹⁾		111,193		111,193		88,954		5.55
$5.50		300,000		46,585		—		9.66
$6.00		120,000		111,805		—		9.76
$6.25		35,000		32,610		—		9.92
$9.00		30,000		27,951		6,000		8.95
$10.00		10,000		9,317		—		9.09
$10.71		710,000		661,512		142,000		8.55


Total		7,708,666		7,393,446		6,629,427		4.09


Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$	19,936,000	$	19,805,000	$	19,798,000


(1)		Adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split and 2% stock dividend declared in December 2004 and distributed on January 10, 2005, the three-for-two stock split and 2% stock dividend declared in November 2003 and distributed on December 10, 2003, and the three-for-two stock split declared on June 17, 2002 and distributed on July 10, 2002.

The Company granted 485,000 and 790,000 stock options during 2006 and 2005, respectively. No stock options were granted during 2004. The fair value of the stock options granted in years 2006 and 2005 was $5.96 and $4.09 per stock option, respectively. The fair value was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: (1) the dividend yield was 3.47% in 2006 (1.81% in 2005); (2) the expected life was 7 years based on historical experience; (3) the expected volatility was 39% and was obtained from published external information; and, (4) the risk-free interest rate was 4.68% in 2006 (4.09% in 2005). The weighted average of the exercise price of the stock options and the market price of the stock at the grant date was $5.96 in 2006 ($10.65 in 2005) and $5.58 in 2006 ($10.55 in 2005), respectively.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, was $1,827,000, $462,000 and $3,262,000, respectively. The total fair value of options vested for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $661,000, $1,062,000 and $1,062,000, respectively.

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Stock-based employee compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 amounted to $675,000, $564,000 and $895,000, respectively. This compensation expense is non deductible for income tax purposes. At December 31, 2006, there was $3.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation awards granted under the 1999 Qualified Option Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized as follows:


Year Ending	Amount
December 31,	(In thousands)

2007	$	796
2008		763
2009		763
2010		498
2011		603


Total	$	3,423

18. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES:

In the normal course of business, the Company becomes a party to credit related financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and commercial letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Letters of Credit

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, commitments under credit card arrangements and standby and commercial letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments, which does not necessarily represent the amount potentially subject to risk. In addition, the measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are identified. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income producing commercial properties.

Commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company on behalf of a customer authorizing a third party to draw drafts on the Company up to a stipulated amount and with specified terms and conditions.

The Company issues financial standby letters of credit to guarantee the performance of various customers to third parties. If the customer fails to meet its financial or performance obligation to the third party under the terms of the contract, then, upon their request, the Company would be obligated to make the payment to the guaranteed party. In accordance with the provisions of FIN No. 45, at December 31, 2006, the Company recorded a liability of $106,000, which represents the fair value of the obligation undertaken to stand ready to perform in issuing the guarantees under the standby letters of credit. No standby letters of credit were outstanding as of December 31, 2005. The fair value approximates the fee received from the customer for issuing such commitments. These fees are deferred and recognized over the commitment period. The contract amounts in standby letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2006, shown in the table below represent the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under the guarantees in the event of nonperformance by the customers. These standby letters of credit are used by the customer as a credit enhancement and typically expire without being drawn upon. The Company’s standby letters of credit are generally secured, and in the event of nonperformance by the customers, the Company has rights to the underlying collateral provided, which normally includes cash and marketable securities, real estate, receivables and others. Management does not anticipate any material losses related to these instruments.

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The contract amount of financial instruments, whose amounts represent credit risk at December 31, was as follows:


	2006		2005
	(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit:
Fixed rates	$	11,551	$	10,802
Variable rates		591,862		620,193
Unused lines of credit:
Commercial		267,581		197,792
Credit cards and other		131,047		137,078
Standby letters of credit		28,896		—
Commercial letters of credit		8,337		23,822

Total	$	1,039,274	$	989,687

19. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES:

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Information pertaining to the notional amounts of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as of December 31, was as follows:


	Notional Amount
	2006		2005
	(In thousands)
Fair value hedge:
CD swaps	$	516,020	$	—


Derivatives not designated as hedge:
CD swaps	$	26,747	$	602,187
Interest rate swaps (unmatched portion)		26,508		14,013
Interest rate swaps used to manage exposure to the stock market		—		36,329
Embedded options on stock indexed deposits		96,783		128,075
Purchased options used to manage exposure to the stock market on stock indexed deposits		100,271		94,681

Total	$	250,309	$	875,285

At December 31, 2006, the fair value of derivatives qualifying for fair value hedge represented an unrealized net loss of $9.7 million, which was recorded as “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” and the change in the fair value of the hedged deposits represented an unrealized gain of $1.8 million and was recorded as a decrease to “Deposits” in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition.

At December 31, 2006, the fair value of derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting represented an unrealized net loss of $7.9 million, $18.7 million of which was recorded as part of “Other assets”, $25.0 million as part of “Deposits”, and $1.6 million as part of “Accrued expenses and other liabilities”, in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition.

At December 31, 2005, the fair value of derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting represented an unrealized net loss of $20.0 million, $10.0 million of which was recorded as part of “Other assets”, $17.7 million as part of “Deposits”, and $12.3 million as part of “Accrued expenses and other liabilities”, in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition.

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A summary of the types of swaps used, excluding those used to manage exposure to the stock market, and their terms at December 31, follows:


	2006			2005
	(Dollars in thousands)
Pay floating/receive fixed:
Notional amount	$	569,275		$	616,200
Weighted average receive rate at year end		4.90	%		4.73	%
Weighted average pay rate at year end		5.34	%		4.32	%
Floating rate as a percentage of three month LIBOR, plus a spread ranging from minus .40% to plus .25%		100	%		100	%

The changes in notional amount of swaps outstanding during the years ended December 31, follows:


	2006			2005
	(In thousands)

Beginning balance	$	652,529		$	823,329
New swaps		—			30,000
Called and matured swaps		(83,254	)		(200,800	)


End balance	$	569,275		$	652,529

At December 31, 2006, the maturities of interest rate swaps, embedded options and purchased options by year were as follows:


Year Ending			Embedded		Purchased
December 31,	Swaps		Options		Options
	(In thousands)

2007	$	7,500	$	25,619	$	27,150
2008		—		20,589		21,571
2009		30,500		27,110		27,868
2010		15,000		16,288		16,469
2011		30,000		7,177		7,213
Thereafter		486,275		—		—


Total	$	569,275	$	96,783	$	100,271

Swap agreements amounting to $546,275,000 at December 31, 2006, provide the counterparties the option to cancel the swap agreements on any interest payment date after the first anniversary (matching the call option that the Company has purchased on the certificates of deposit). During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, various counterparties of swap agreements exercised their option to cancel their swaps and the Company immediately exercised its option to call the certificates of deposit. No gains or losses resulted from the above cancellations.

At December 31, 2006, the carrying value of the specific collateral held by the counterparties consisted of investment securities of $39,338,000.

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20. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments (such as loans and financial liabilities). In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. SFAS No. 107, Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its disclosure requirements. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented should not be construed as the underlying value of the Company.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair values of financial instruments as disclosed in these consolidated financial statements:

• Short-term Financial Assets and Liabilities — For financial instruments with a short-term or no stated maturity, at prevailing market rates and limited credit risk, carrying amounts approximate fair value. Those financial instruments include cash and due from banks, money market instruments, certain deposits (passbook accounts, money market and checking accounts), federal funds purchased and accrued interest.

• Investment Securities Available for Sale, Held to Maturity and Trading Securities — The fair values of investment securities available for sale, held to maturity and trading securities are estimated based on quotations received from securities dealers. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

• Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Stock — FHLB stock is valued at its redemption value.

• Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale — Fair value is based on the contract price at which the mortgage loans are expected to be sold.

• Loans — Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as residential mortgage, commercial, consumer, credit cards and other loans. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable interest rate terms and by performing, nonperforming and loans with payments in arrears.

The fair value of performing loans, except residential mortgages and credit card loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity dates using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan. For performing residential mortgage loans, fair value is computed using an estimated market rate based on secondary market sources adjusted to reflect differences in servicing and credit costs. For credit card loans, cash flows and maturities are estimated based on contractual interest rates and historical experience and are discounted using estimated market rates.

Fair value for significant nonperforming loans and certain loans with payments in arrears is based on recent external appraisals of collateral. If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate that is commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.

• Mortgage Servicing Rights — The carrying amount of mortgage servicing rights, which is evaluated periodically for impairment, approximates the fair value (fair value is estimated considering prices for similar assets).

• Deposits — The fair value of fixed rate certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows using current rates for certificates of deposit with similar terms and remaining maturities. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

• Resell Agreements, Repurchase Agreements, Advances from FHLB and Mortgage Note Payable — The fair value of resell agreements, repurchase agreements, advances from FHLB and mortgage note payable is based on the discounted value using rates currently available to the Company for instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities.

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• Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities — The fair values of the indexed option contracts and the interest rate swaps used to manage the exposure to the stock market were obtained from dealer quotes. In the case of other interest rate swaps, the fair values were based upon an independent valuation model.

• Commitments to Extend Credit and Letters of Credit — The fair value of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standings.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, were as follows:


	2006				2005
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Amount		Value		Amount		Value
			(In thousands)
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	105,027	$	105,027	$	97,612	$	97,612
Federal funds sold and resell agreements		950,573		935,206		746,539		730,393
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		21,060		21,060		57,116		57,116
Investment securities available for sale		20,541		20,541		5,166		5,166
Investment securities held to maturity		7,007,579		6,794,259		7,074,025		6,851,089
FHLB stock		37,982		37,982		42,798		42,798
Residential mortgage loans held for sale		11,379		11,379		1,539		1,539
Loans (excluding allowance for loan losses)		8,767,867		8,742,178		7,908,029		7,904,561
Accrued interest receivable		121,360		121,360		105,882		105,882
Mortgage servicing rights		3,026		3,026		3,070		3,070
Derivative purchased options		18,655		18,655		9,967		9,967

Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing		373,634		373,634		277,099		277,099
Interest bearing		8,821,064		8,808,894		8,009,617		7,982,554
Embedded options on deposits		25,023		25,023		17,701		17,701
Repurchase agreements		6,320,481		6,317,333		6,260,029		6,292,900
Advances from FHLB		127,000		128,450		172,000		173,832
Mortgage note payable		35,968		37,578		36,432		38,910
Accrued interest payable		153,387		153,387		106,613		106,613
Interest rate swaps in a net payable position		11,255		11,255		12,256		12,256
Other		9,930		9,930		7,867		7,867

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments:

Liabilities:
Commitments to extend credit		—		5,402		—		6,814
Unused lines of credit:
Commercial		792		792		317		317
Credit cards and other		186		186		201		201
Commercial letters of credit		38		38		238		238

21. RESERVE FUND:

The Banking Law of Puerto Rico requires that a reserve fund be established by Westernbank and that annual transfers of at least 10% of its net income be made, until such reserve fund equals its total paid-in capital on common and preferred shares. Such transfers restrict its retained earnings, which would otherwise be available for dividends.

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22. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations (in thousands, except for per share data):


2006	March 31			June 30			Sept. 30			Dec. 31

Total interest income	$	230,929		$	242,957		$	258,049		$	268,290
Total interest expense		152,369			167,049			179,046			182,955

Net interest income		78,560			75,908			79,003			85,335
Provision for loan losses		7,000			18,250			11,300			28,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses		71,560			57,658			67,703			57,335
Total noninterest income		9,184			7,634			10,191			10,089
Total noninterest expenses		(29,411	)		(30,623	)		(30,437	)		(34,047	)

Income before income taxes		51,333			34,669			47,457			33,377
Provision for income taxes		15,943			12,927			21,915			15,520

Net income	$	35,390		$	21,742		$	25,542		$	17,857


Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.16		$	0.08		$	0.10		$	0.05

Diluted	$	0.15		$	0.07		$	0.10		$	0.05


2005	March 31			June 30			Sept. 30			Dec. 31

Total interest income	$	178,310		$	194,400		$	205,347		$	217,272
Total interest expense		99,929			115,313			126,579			141,926

Net interest income		78,381			79,087			78,768			75,346
Provision for loan losses		6,000			5,000			6,000			14,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses		72,381			74,087			72,768			61,346
Total noninterest income		5,711			21,163			2,138			6,808
Total noninterest expenses		(24,271	)		(27,525	)		(27,584	)		(28,850	)

Income before income taxes		53,821			67,725			47,322			39,304
Provision for income taxes		8,020			15,699			12,232			9,135

Net income	$	45,801		$	52,026		$	35,090		$	30,169


Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.22		$	0.26		$	0.16		$	0.13

Diluted	$	0.21		$	0.25		$	0.15		$	0.12

The increases in the provision for loan losses for the second and fourth quarter of 2006 and the fourth quarter of 2005 were attributed to higher net charge-offs and non-performing loans during the quarters, mainly attributed to the loan portfolio of the Company’s asset-based lending division.

The changes in total noninterest income for the quarterly periods ended 2005 were mainly attributed to the change in the fair value during the period of certain interest rate swaps not designated as hedge on a portion of the Company’s brokered deposits.

The provision for income taxes in proportion to income before income taxes (the effective income tax rate) for the 2006 quarters is higher than that for the 2005 quarters. The increase in the provision for income taxes is attributed to three factors. First, on May 13, 2006, with an effective date of January 1, 2006, the Puerto Rico Legislature approved Law No. 89, which imposes an additional 2.0% tax on all companies covered by the Puerto Rico Banking Act, as amended, such as Westernbank. Therefore, Westernbank is now subject to a maximum statutory

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tax rate of 43.5%. This transitory income tax of 2% amounted to $3.0 million for the year ended. December 31, 2006 (see Note 11). Second, the increase in the Company’s taxable income derived from the increase in its loan portfolio has changed the proportion between exempt and taxable income, therefore increasing the Company’s effective tax rate. Third, for the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company accrued $10.2 million for income tax contingencies (see Note 13).

23. SEGMENT INFORMATION:

The Company’s management monitors and manages the financial performance of two reportable business segments, the traditional banking operations of Westernbank Puerto Rico and the activities of the division known as Westernbank International. Other operations of the Company not reportable in either segment include Westernbank Business Credit Division, which specializes in asset-based commercial business lending; Westernbank Trust Division, which offers trust services; Westernbank International Trade Services Division, which specializes in international trade products and services; SRG Net, Inc., which operates an electronic funds transfer network; Westernbank Insurance Corp., which operates a general insurance agency; Westernbank World Plaza, Inc., which operates the Westernbank World Plaza, a 23-story office building located in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico; and the transactions of the parent company only, which mainly consist of other income related to the equity in the net income of its two wholly- owned subsidiaries.

Management determined the reportable segments based on the internal reporting used to evaluate performance and to assess where to allocate resources. Other factors such as the Company’s organizational structure by divisions, nature of the products, distribution channels, and the economic characteristics of the products were also considered in the determination of the reportable segments. The Company evaluates performance based on net interest income and other income. Operating expenses and the provision for income taxes are analyzed on a combined basis.

Westernbank Puerto Rico’s traditional banking operations consist of Westernbank’s retail operations, such as its branches, including the branches of the Expresso division, together with consumer loans, mortgage loans, commercial loans (excluding the asset-based lending operations), investments (treasury) and deposit products. Consumer loans include loans such as personal, collateralized personal loans, credit cards, and small loans. Commercial products consist of commercial loans including commercial real estate, unsecured commercial and construction loans.

Westernbank International operates as an IBE under the International Banking Regulatory Act. Westernbank International’s business activities consist of commercial banking and related services, and treasury and investment activities outside of Puerto Rico. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for the three year period ended December 31, 2006, substantially all of Westernbank International’s business activities consisted of investments in securities and money market instruments of and loans to entities principally located in the United States of America. Investment securities amounted to $1.95 billion and $1.99 billion at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These securities principally consisted of investment in U.S. Government agencies, FHLMC and FNMA. There are no investments in residual tranches. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, management concluded that there was no other-than-temporary impairment on Westernbank International’s investment securities portfolio (see Note 3). Money market instruments amounted to $605.6 million and $583.3 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Money market instruments include federal funds sold, which mature the next business day, and resell agreements.

For the resell agreements, the Company monitors the fair value of the underlying securities as compared to the related receivable, including accrued interest and requests additional collateral when the fair value of the underlying collateral falls to less than the collateral requirement. The collateral requirement is equal to 102 percent of the related receivable, including interest (see Note 2). Loans receivable-net at December 31, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $335,360,000 and $265,691,000, respectively, and include foreign loans mainly to entities in Canada and in the United Kingdom, amounting to $109,328,000 and $64,113,000 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Intersegment sales and transfers, if any, are accounted for as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.

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The financial information presented below was derived from the internal management accounting system and does not necessarily represent each segment’s financial condition and results of operations as if these were independent entities.


	As of and for the year ended
	December 31, 2006
	Westernbank			Westernank			Total major			Other
	Puerto Rico			International			segments			Segments			Eliminations			Total
	(In thousands)

Interest income:
Consumer loans	$	79,240		$	—		$	79,240		$	—		$	—		$	79,240
Commercial loans		374,353			29,884			404,237			—			—			404,237
Asset-based loans		—			—			—			102,656			—			102,656
Mortgage loans		85,397			—			85,397			—			—			85,397
Treasury and investment activities		220,226			105,229			325,455			6,233			(2,993	)		328,695

Total interest income		759,216			135,113			894,329			108,889			(2,993	)		1,000,225
Interest expense		521,372			108,917			630,289			54,123			(2,993	)		681,419

Net interest income		237,844			26,196			264,040			54,766			—			318,806

Provision for loan losses		(7,055	)		(4,298	)		(11,353	)		(53,197	)		—			(64,550	)

Noninterest income, net:
Service and other charges on loans		9,259			681			9,940			—			—			9,940
Service charges on deposit accounts		9,976			—			9,976			—			—			9,976
Other fees and commisions		9,943			177			10,120			1,386			(238	)		11,268
Trust account fees		—			—			—			2,049			(109	)		1,940
Insurance commission fees		—			—			—			1,917			(21	)		1,896
Asset-based lending related fees		—			—			—			2,587			—			2,587
Net gain on derivative instruments		632			—			632			—			—			632
Net loss on sales and valuation of loans held for sale, securities and other assets		(454	)		—			(454	)		(687	)		—			(1,141	)

Total noninterest income		29,356			858			30,214			7,252			(368	)		37,098

Equity in income of subsidiaries		193			—			193			100,990			(101,183	)		—

Total net interest income and noninterest income	$	260,338		$	22,756		$	283,094		$	109,811		$	(101,551	)	$	291,354


Total assets	$	14,775,903		$	2,924,325		$	17,700,228		$	1,848,976		$	(2,394,516	)	$	17,154,688

128


	As of and for the year ended
	December 31, 2005
	Westernbank			Westernank			Total major			Other
	Puerto Rico			International			segments			Segments			Eliminations			Total
	(In thousands)

Interest income:
Consumer loans	$	78,268		$	—		$	78,268		$	—		$	—		$	78,268
Commercial loans		238,482			13,414			251,896			—			—			251,896
Asset-based loans		—			—			—			80,245			—			80,245
Mortgage loans		68,633			—			68,633			—			—			68,633
Treasury and investment activities		204,917			108,624			313,541			5,250			(2,504	)		316,287

Total interest income		590,300			122,038			712,338			85,495			(2,504	)		795,329
Interest expense		362,472			89,089			451,561			34,690			(2,504	)		483,747

Net interest income		227,828			32,949			260,777			50,805			—			311,582

Provision for loan losses		(8,608	)		(1,615	)		(10,223	)		(20,777	)		—			(31,000	)

Noninterest income, net:
Service and other charges on loans		8,314			274			8,588			—			—			8,588
Service charges on deposit accounts		8,636			—			8,636			—			—			8,636
Other fees and commisions		8,876			105			8,981			226			(226	)		8,981
Trust account fees		—			—			—			1,537			(50	)		1,487
Insurance commission fees		—			—			—			1,991			(12	)		1,979
Asset-based lending related fees		—			—			—			3,724			—			3,724
Net gain on derivative instruments		1,878			—			1,878			—			—			1,878
Net gain on sales and valuation of loans held for sale, securities and other assets		547			—			547			—			—			547

Total noninterest income		28,251			379			28,630			7,478			(288	)		35,820

Equity in income of subsidiaries		293			—			293			162,793			(163,086	)		—

Total net interest income and noninterest income	$	247,764		$	31,713		$	279,477		$	200,299		$	(163,374	)	$	316,402


Total assets	$	13,797,874		$	2,870,864		$	16,668,738		$	1,770,472		$	(2,287,346	)	$	16,151,864


	As of and for the year ended
	December 31, 2004
	Westernbank			Westernank		Total major			Other
	Puerto Rico			International		segments			Segments			Eliminations			Total
	(In thousands)

Interest income:
Consumer loans	$	76,091		$	—	$	76,091		$	—		$	—		$	76,091
Commercial loans		151,610			5,508		157,118			—			—			157,118
Asset-based loans		—			—		—			42,158			—			42,158
Mortgage loans		46,797			—		46,797			—			—			46,797
Treasury and investment activities		167,092			101,799		268,891			2,391			(2,070	)		269,212

Total interest income		441,590			107,307		548,897			44,549			(2,070	)		591,376
Interest expense		249,120			51,202		300,322			15,967			(2,070	)		314,219

Net interest income		192,470			56,105		248,575			28,582			—			277,157

Provision for loan losses		(30,697	)		—		(30,697	)		(5,994	)		—			(36,691	)

Noninterest income, net:
Service and other charges on loans		7,115			112		7,227			—			—			7,227
Service charges on deposit accounts		7,969			—		7,969			—			—			7,969
Other fees and commisions		7,385			10		7,395			226			(226	)		7,395
Trust account fees		—			—		—			1,170			—			1,170
Insurance commission fees		—			—		—			1,923			(9	)		1,914
Asset-based lending related fees		—			—		—			2,936			—			2,936
Net gain on derivative instruments		22,388			—		22,388			—			—			22,388
Net gain on sales and valuation of loans, securities and other assets		2,629			—		2,629			—			—			2,629

Total noninterest income		47,486			122		47,608			6,255			(235	)		53,628

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries		(698	)		—		(698	)		174,002			(173,304	)		—

Total net interest income and noninterest income	$	208,561		$	56,227	$	264,788		$	202,845		$	(173,539	)	$	294,094


Total assets	$	11,799,360		$	2,938,374	$	14,737,734		$	1,557,674		$	(1,973,788	)	$	14,321,620

129

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2006			2005			2004
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	100,531		$	163,086		$	171,876
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		(32,044	)		(84,384	)		(122,453	)
Deferred income tax provision (credit)		258			(469	)		—
Effect of stock options granted to employees		675			564			895
Amortization of discount on investment securities held to maturity		(3	)		(3	)		(1	)
Net gain on sale of investment securities available for sale		(62	)		—			—
Other-than-temporary impairment of available for sale securities		750			—			—
Decrease (increase) in dividends and other accounts receivable from bank subsidiary		71			(874	)		(491	)
Increase in accrued interest receivable		(7	)		(187	)		(7	)
Decrease (increase) in other assets		(77	)		(56	)		37
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		(531	)		228			330

Net cash provided by operating activities		69,561			77,905			50,186


Cash flows from investing activities:
Net decrease (increase) in money market instruments		(4,100	)		118,000			(129,000	)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale		1,786			—			—
Purchases of investment securities available for sale		—			(4,965	)		—
Capital contributions to subsidiaries		—			(95,000	)		—
Purchases of investment securities held to maturity		—			(49,897	)		—

Net cash used in investing activities		(2,314	)		(31,862	)		(129,000	)


Cash flows from financing activities:
Advances from bank subsidiary		—			743			—
Repayment of advances from bank subsidiary		(743	)		—			(1,000	)
Issuance of preferred stock		—			19,253			129,495
Proceeds from stock options exercised		1,072			160			969
Dividends paid		(68,140	)		(66,724	)		(50,097	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(67,811	)		(46,568	)		79,367


Net change in cash		(564	)		(525	)		553
Cash at beginning of year		1,831			2,356			1,803

Cash at end of year	$	1,267		$	1,831		$	2,356

132

25. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

On January 30, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors granted a total of 45,000 stock options to two officers of Westernbank pursuant to the shareholders-approved 1999 Qualified Option Plan (see Note 17) at an exercise price of $6.05. The market price of the stock was $5.79 at January 30, 2007.

In February 2007, the Company forfeited 250,000 stock options from a former officer of Westernbank.

In February 2007, Westernbank Financial Center Corp. (“WFCC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Westernbank, commenced operations. WFCC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida to carry commercial lending and related activities in the United States of America.

******

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s Management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material respects, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.

The Company’s Management also conducted an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the year covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, there has been no such change during the year covered by this report.

133

MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT AS TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Management of W Holding Company, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting of W Holding Company, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention of overriding controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, we assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. Management’s assessment is based on the criteria established in the Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and was designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. Based on this assessment, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. That conclusion was discussed with, and approved by, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

/s/ Frank C. Stipes, Esq.
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Norberto Rivera, CPA
Vice President Corporate Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer

February 26, 2007

134

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
W Holding Company, Inc.
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Assessment as to the Effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that W Holding Company, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and our report dated February 26, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Juan, Puerto Rico
February 26, 2007
Stamp No. 2194020
affixed to original.

135

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Information responsive to this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.

The Company has adopted a charter for each of the standing committees and corporate governance guidelines that address make-up and functioning of the Board. The Board has also adopted a code of ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers and code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors. You can find links to these materials on our website at www.wholding.com. (Information from such site is not incorporated by reference into this report.) You may also obtain free copies of these materials by writing to W Holding Company, Inc., 19 West McKinley Street, Mayaüez, Puerto Rico, 00680, at our principal executive offices.

On June 28, 2006, the Company filed its Section 303A Annual Written Affirmation form with the New York Stock Exchange. Also, on June 28, 2006, the Company filed with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) the Annual CEO Certification, as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, with no qualification as to the Company’s compliance with NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards. The Company has also filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K the CEO and CAO certifications as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information responsive to this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information responsive to this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Information responsive to this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information responsive to this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders.

136

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Documents filed as part of this Report

(1)

Index to financial statements.

	The following financial statements are incorporated by reference from Part II, Item 8 hereof:

	•		Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

	•		Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2006 and 2005

	•		Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006

	•		Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006

	•		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006

	•		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

	(2)		Financial Statement Schedules.

			The schedules for the Company and its subsidiaries are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required, or because the information is set forth in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

	(3)		The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K, and this list includes the Exhibit Index.


NO.		EXHIBIT

3.1		Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on April 24, 2006).

3.2		Bylaws (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on November 29, 2001).

4.1		Certificate of Resolution establishing the rights of the Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, Reg. No. 333-76975).

4.2		Certificate of Resolution establishing the rights of the Series C Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on March 30, 2001).

4.3		Certificate of Resolution establishing the rights of the Series D Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on August 1, 2001).

4.4		Certificate of Resolution establishing the rights of the Series E Preferred Stock (incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on October 31, 2002).

4.5		Certificate of Corporate Resolution establishing the rights of the Series F Preferred Stock (incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on May 29, 2003).

137


NO.		EXHIBIT
4.6		Certificate of Corporate Resolution establishing the rights of the Series G Preferred Stock (incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on August 28, 2003).

4.7		Certificate of Corporate Resolution designating the terms of W Holding’s Series H Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on December 17, 2004).

10.1		Form of 1999 Qualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-76975).

10.2		Form of 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-76975).

10.3		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Alfredo Archilla (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed on March 29, 2002).

10.4		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Mike Vázquez (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed on March 29, 2002).

10.5		Employment agreement between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mrs. Migdalia Rivera (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.6		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Andrés Morgado (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.7		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. William Vidal (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.9		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Pedro Domínguez (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.10		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Freddy Maldonado (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.11		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. José M. Biaggi (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on July 15, 2005).

10.12		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Ricardo Cortina (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on April 24, 2006).

10.13		Description of Arrangement for Director Fees

10.14		Executive Officers Compensation Schedule

10.15		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Rubén Aponte (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 9, 2006).

138


NO.		EXHIBIT
10.16		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mrs. Yolanda S. Vicens Martínez (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 9, 2006).

10.17		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mrs. Rosemarie Santiago Salcedo (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 9, 2006).

10.19		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between W Holding Company, Inc. and Westernbank Puerto Rico, with Mr. Aurelio Emanuelli (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 9, 2006).

10.20		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in control between W Holding Company, Inc. and Westernbank Puerto Rico, with Mr. Peter Lectora Soto.

21.1		Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1		CEO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		CAO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		CEO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		CAO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b) See (a) (3) above for all exhibits filed herewith and the Exhibit Index.

139

EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1		Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on April 24, 2006).

3.2		Bylaws (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on November 29, 2001).

4.1		Certificate of Resolution establishing the rights of the Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, Reg. No. 333-76975).

4.2		Certificate of Resolution establishing the rights of the Series C Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on March 30, 2001).

4.3		Certificate of Resolution establishing the rights of the Series D Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on August 1, 2001).

4.4		Certificate of Resolution establishing the rights of the Series E Preferred Stock (incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on October 31, 2002).

4.5		Certificate of Corporate Resolution establishing the rights of the Series F Preferred Stock (incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on May 29, 2003).

4.6		Certificate of Corporate Resolution establishing the rights of the Series G Preferred Stock (incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on August 28, 2003).

4.7		Certificate of Corporate Resolution designating the terms of W Holding’s Series H Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on December 17, 2004).

10.1		Form of 1999 Qualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-76975).

10.2		Form of 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-76975).

10.3		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Alfredo Archilla (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed on March 29, 2002).

10.4		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Mike Vázquez (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed on March 29, 2002).

10.5		Employment agreement between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mrs. Migdalia Rivera (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.6		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Andrés Morgado (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.7		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. William Vidal (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

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10.9		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Pedro Domínguez (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.10		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Freddy Maldonado (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).

10.11		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. José M. Biaggi (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on July 15, 2005).

10.12		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Ricardo Cortina (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on April 24, 2006).

10.13		Description of Arrangement for Director Fees

10.14		Executive Officers Compensation Schedule

10.15		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mr. Rubén Aponte (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 9, 2006).

10.16		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mrs. Yolanda S. Vicens Martínez (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 9, 2006).

10.17		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between Westernbank Puerto Rico and Mrs. Rosemarie Santiago Salcedo (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 9, 2006).

10.19		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between W Holding Company, Inc. and Westernbank Puerto Rico, with Mr. Aurelio Emanuelli (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 9, 2006).

10.20		Payment Agreement in the Event of a Change in Control between W Holding Company, Inc. and Westernbank Puerto Rico, with Mr. Peter Lectora Soto.

21.1		Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1		CEO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		CAO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		CEO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		CAO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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By:	/s/ FRANK C. STIPES	Date: February 27, 2007
	Frank C. Stipes, Chairman of the
	Board and Chief Executive Officer


		/s/ FRANK C. STIPES Frank C. Stipes, Chairman of the Board and		Date: February 27, 2007
		Chief Executive Officer

		/s/ CESAR A. RUIZ César A. Ruiz, Director		Date: February 27, 2007


		/s/ PEDRO R. DOMINGUEZ Pedro R. Domínguez, Director		Date: February 27, 2007


		/s/ CORNELIUS TAMBOER Cornelius Tamboer, Director		Date: February 27, 2007


		/s/ HECTOR L. DEL RIO Héctor L. del Río, Director		Date: February 27, 2007


		/s/ JUAN C. FRONTERA
		Juan C. Frontera, Director		Date: February 27, 2007


		/s/ FREDDY MALDONADO Freddy Maldonado		Date: February 27, 2007
		Director, President and Chief Investment Officer

		/s/ NORBERTO RIVERA Norberto Rivera		Date: February 27, 2007
		Chief Accounting Officer