EXHIBIT 23.1


            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Forms S-3 (Nos. 333-111007, 333-120340 and 333-129567) and Forms
S-8 (333-128909, 333-115482, 333-100999, 333-60666, 333-53114, 333-94703,
333-80167, 333-80169 and 033-58373) of Popular, Inc. of our report dated March
13, 2006 relating to the financial statements, management's assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the Annual Report
to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.


S/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Juan, Puerto Rico
March 14, 2006