EX-13.1

Financial Review and

Supplementary Information


	Statistical Summaries	66

	Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	71

	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	72

	Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2020 and 2019	76

	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018	77

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018	78

	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018	79

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018	80

	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	82

	Signatures	224

Management’s Discussion and

Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations

Overview		4
Critical Accounting Policies / Estimates		11
Statement of Operations Analysis		17
	Net Interest Income	17
	Provision for Credit Losses	20
	Non-Interest Income	20
	Operating Expenses	21
	Income Taxes	22
	Fourth Quarter Results	22
Reportable Segment Results		23
Statement of Financial Condition Analysis		25
	Assets	25
	Liabilities	26
	Stockholders’ Equity	27
Regulatory Capital		28
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Other Commitments		31
	Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments	31
Risk Management		33
	Market / Interest Rate Risk	33
	Liquidity	40
	Enterprise Risk Management	63
	Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Issued but Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards	65
Statistical Summaries
	Statements of Financial Condition	66
	Statements of Operations	67
	Average Balance Sheet and Summary of Net Interest Income	68
	Quarterly Financial Data	70

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information included in this report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements about Popular Inc.’s (the “Corporation,” “Popular,” “we,” “us,” “our”) business, financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report also include the expected benefits of the Popular Bank New York branches optimization strategy, as well as related estimates of pre-tax charges and anticipated annual operating expense savings. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on management’s current expectations and, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions. Potential factors, some of which are beyond the Corporation’s control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include without limitation the effect of competitive and economic factors, and our reaction to those factors, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, delinquency trends, market risk and the impact of interest rate changes, capital markets conditions, capital adequacy and liquidity, and the effect of legal and regulatory proceedings and new accounting standards on the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continues,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project” and similar expressions and future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may” or similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Various factors, some of which are beyond Popular’s control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the rate of growth or decline in the economy and employment levels, as well as general business and economic conditions in the geographic areas we serve and, in particular, in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the “Commonwealth” or “Puerto Rico”), where a significant portion of our business is concentrated; the impact of the current fiscal and economic challenges of Puerto Rico and the measures taken and to be taken by the Puerto Rico Government and the Federally-appointed oversight board on the economy, our customers and our business; the impact of the pending debt restructuring proceedings under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”) and of other actions taken or to be taken to address Puerto Rico’s fiscal challenges on the value of our portfolio of Puerto Rico government securities and loans to governmental entities and of our commercial, mortgage and consumer loan portfolios where private borrowers could be directly affected by governmental action; the amount of Puerto Rico public sector deposits held at the Corporation, whose future balances are uncertain and difficult to predict and may be impacted by factors such as the amount of Federal funds received by the P.R. Government in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and the rate of expenditure of such funds, as well as the timeline and outcome of current Puerto Rico debt restructuring proceedings under Title III of PROMESA; the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic, and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on us, our customers, service providers and third parties; changes in interest rates and market liquidity, which may reduce interest margins, impact funding sources and affect our ability to originate and distribute financial products in the primary and secondary markets; the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies; changes in federal bank regulatory and supervisory policies, including required levels of capital and the impact of proposed capital standards on our capital ratios; additional Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) assessments; regulatory approvals that may be necessary to undertake certain actions or consummate strategic transactions such as acquisitions and dispositions; unforeseen or catastrophic events, including extreme weather events, other natural disasters, man-made disasters or the emergence of pandemics epidemics and other health-related crises, which could cause a disruption in our operations or other adverse consequences for our business; the relative strength or weakness of the consumer and commercial credit sectors and of the real estate markets in Puerto Rico and the other markets in which borrowers are located; the performance of the stock and bond markets; competition in the financial services industry; possible legislative, tax or regulatory changes; and a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure or those of EVERTEC, Inc., our provider of core financial transaction processing and information technology services, or of other third parties providing services to us, including as a result of cyberattacks, e-fraud, denial-of-services and computer intrusion, that might result in loss or breach of customer data, disruption of services, reputational damage or additional costs to Popular. Other possible events or factors that could cause results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements include the following: negative economic conditions that adversely affect housing prices, the job market, consumer confidence and spending habits which may affect, among other things, the level of non-performing assets, charge-offs and provision expense; changes in market rates and prices which may adversely impact the value of financial assets and liabilities; potential judgments, claims, damages, penalties, fines, enforcement actions and reputational damage resulting from pending or future litigation and regulatory or government investigations or actions, including as a result of our participation in and execution of government programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations; our ability to grow our core businesses; decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change our business mix; and management’s ability to identify and manage these and

other risks. Further, statements about the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operation may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that actual effects may differ, possibly materially, from what is reflected in those forward-looking statements due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable and in many cases beyond our control, including actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on us, our customers, service providers and third parties. Moreover, the outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings, as discussed in “Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of the Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, is inherently uncertain and depends on judicial interpretations of law and the findings of regulators, judges and/or juries. The description of the Corporation’s business and risk factors contained in Part I, Items 1 and 1A of the Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 discusses additional information about the business of the Corporation and the material risk factors and uncertainties to which the Corporation is subject that, in addition to the other information in this report, readers should consider.

All forward-looking statements included in this report are based upon information available to the Corporation as of the date of this report, and other than as required by law, including the requirements of applicable securities laws, we assume no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

OVERVIEW

The Corporation is a diversified, publicly-owned financial holding company subject to the supervision and regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Corporation has operations in Puerto Rico, the United States (“U.S.”) mainland, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, the Corporation provides retail, mortgage, and commercial banking services through its principal banking subsidiary, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”), as well as investment banking, broker-dealer, auto and equipment leasing and financing, and insurance services through specialized subsidiaries. In the U.S. mainland, the Corporation provides retail, mortgage and commercial banking services through its New York-chartered banking subsidiary, Popular Bank (“PB” or “Popular U.S.”) which has branches located in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Note 36 to the Consolidated Financial Statements presents information about the Corporation’s business segments.

The Corporation has several investments which it accounts for under the equity method. These include the 16.16% interest in EVERTEC, a 15.84% interest in Centro Financiero BHD Leon, S.A. (“BHD Leon”), among other investments in limited partnerships which mainly hold loans and investment securities. EVERTEC provides transaction processing services throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, and also provides to the Corporation core banking and transaction processing and other services. BHD León is a diversified financial services institution operating in the Dominican Republic. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recorded approximately $43.3 million in earnings from these investments on an aggregate basis. The carrying amounts of these investments as of December 31, 2020 were $250.5 million.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) surfaced in Wuhan, China and has since spread globally to other countries and jurisdictions, including the mainland United States and Puerto Rico. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted and negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets, significantly increased unemployment levels worldwide and decreased consumer confidence and commercial activity generally, including in the markets in which we do business, leading to an increased risk of delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures.

The disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the macroeconomic environment and therefore on the financial results of the Corporation. Although certain measures initially imposed in response to the pandemic by the governments of Puerto Rico, the United States and United States Virgin Islands, including lockdowns, business closures, mandatory curfews and limits to public activities, were thereafter gradually relaxed throughout 2020 to allow for the gradual reopening of the economy, certain restrictions remain in place, which result in many businesses not being able to operate at their full capacity. The Corporation’s

results for the third and fourth quarters of 2020 reflect the benefit of increased economic activity resulting from such reopening and the related improvement in the macroeconomic environment, as well as the impact of the various government stimulus programs launched in response to the pandemic.

Beginning in March 2020, the Corporation implemented several financial relief programs in response to the pandemic, including loan payment moratoriums, suspensions of foreclosures and other collection activity, as well as waivers of certain fees and service charges.

The following is a summary of the main steps the Corporation undertook in response to the COVID-19 outbreak:

Employees

· Broadened remote working capabilities through the use of technology;

· Executed actions to support employees working in our offices, including sanitation measures, social distance, staggered shifts and the distribution of masks and gloves;

· Provided special compensation incentives to front-line employees (in our branches and call centers); and

· Expanded health insurance benefits, including free COVID-19 tests and the availability of telephone consultations to employees and covered family members. Extended health insurance coverage to part-time employees.

Customers

· Published dedicated phoneline and online tool to request financial assistance for customers impacted by COVID-19;

· Offered payment moratoriums for eligible customers in mortgage, consumer loans, credit cards, auto loans and leases and certain commercial credit facilities, subject to certain terms and conditions;

· Suspended residential property foreclosures and evictions, as well as most other collection activity;

· Waived ATM fees and early withdrawal penalties on Certificates of Deposits;

· Offered expedited lines of credit of up to $100,000 for BPPR commercial clients with favorable terms; and

· Mobilized to offer Small Business Administration loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) to affected businesses; funded approximately $1.4 billion of PPP loans.

Community

· Established a fund with an initial contribution of $1 million to support efforts in three primary areas: a) medical equipment and healthcare projects that combat COVID-19; b) entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses, providing financial advice and business continuity support; and c) non-profit organizations to ensure the continuity of their services.

During the third quarter of 2020, the Corporation reinstated the imposition of the fees it elected to waive in connection with such financial relief programs and resumed delinquent loan collection efforts. During 2020, the Corporation had granted loan payment moratoriums to 127,117 eligible retail customers with an aggregate book value of $4.4 billion, and to 5,099 eligible commercial clients with an aggregate book value of $3.9 billion as detailed below. These include loan payment moratoriums of government guaranteed loans that qualified for disaster relief programs as well as other available alternatives. While COVID-19-related moratoriums were offered beginning in March of 2020, certain clients benefitted from loan payment moratoriums offered by the Corporation since mid-January 2020 as a result of seismic activity in the Southern region of the island in January 2020. At December 31, 2020, 127,857 loans with an aggregate book value of $7.8 billion had already completed their payment moratorium period, while 4,359 loans with an aggregate book value of $0.5 billion remained under the moratorium. As of the end of the year, 97% of COVID-19 payment deferrals had expired. After excluding government guaranteed loans, 115,079 of remaining loans, or

94%, with an aggregate book value of $6.9 billion were current on their payments as of December 31, 2020. Loans considered current exclude those loans for which the COVID-19 related modification has expired but have subsequently been subject to other loss mitigation alternatives. Certain hardhit sectors, such as the hospitality sector, may require additional concessions in 2021. Refer to the Credit Risk section of the MD&A for additional information regarding the moratoriums granted by loan portfolio.

The delinquency status of loans subject to the Corporation’s payment moratorium programs remains unaltered during the payment deferral period and the Corporation continues to accrue interest income during such term.

The extent to which the pandemic further impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition (including our regulatory capital, liquidity ratios and realizability of deferred tax assets), as well as the operations of our clients, customers, service providers and suppliers, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including the scope and duration of the pandemic, the speed and strength of economic recovery and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response thereto.

Impact of the adoption of the current expected credit loss model (“CECL”)

The Corporation adopted the new CECL accounting standard effective on January 1, 2020, as discussed in Note 3- “New Accounting Pronouncements”. As a result of the adoption of the CECL model, the Corporation recorded a net increase in its allowance for credit losses related to its loan portfolio, unfunded commitments and credit recourse guarantees amounting to $306 million. The Corporation also recognized an allowance for credit losses of approximately $13 million related to its held-to-maturity debt securities portfolio. The adjustments to reflect the increase in the allowance for credit losses was recorded as a decrease to the opening balance of retained earnings at January 1, 2020, net of deferred tax asset, except for approximately $17 million related to purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans previously accounted under ASC Subtopic 310-30, which resulted in a reclassification between certain contra loan balance accounts to the allowance for credit losses.

As part of the adoption of CECL, the Corporation made the election to break the existing pools of PCI loans, which were excluded from non-performing status, in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. Upon being measured at the individual loan level, these loans are no longer excluded from non-performing status, resulting in an increase of $278 million in NPLs as of January 1, 2020. This increase included $144 million in loans that were over 90 days past due and $134 million in loans that were not delinquent in their payment terms but were reported as non-performing due to other credit quality considerations.

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

On May 27, 2020, the Corporation completed a $500 million accelerated share repurchase transaction (“ASR”) with respect to its common stock. On March 19, 2020 (the “early termination date”), the dealer counterparty to the ASR exercised its right under the ASR agreement to terminate the transaction because the trading price of the Corporation’s common stock fell below a specified level due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global markets. As a result of such early termination, the final settlement of the ASR, which was originally expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2020, occurred during the second quarter of 2020.

Under the ASR, the Corporation prepaid $500 million and received from the dealer counterparty an initial delivery of 7,055,919 shares of common stock on February 3, 2020. As part of the final settlement of the ASR, the Corporation received an additional 4,763,216 shares of common stock after the early termination date. In total, the Corporation repurchased 11,819,135 shares at an average price per share of $42.3043 under the ASR. The Corporation accounted for the ASR as a treasury stock transaction. This transaction increased by $2.20 the Corporation’s tangible book value per share.

Redemption of Series B Preferred Stock

On February 24, 2020, the Corporation redeemed all outstanding shares of its 8.25% Non-Cumulative Monthly Income Preferred Stock, Series B (“Series B Preferred Stock”). The Series B Preferred Stock was redeemed at the redemption price of $25.00 per

share, plus $0.1375 in accrued and unpaid dividends on each share, for a total payment per share in the amount of $25.1375 and a total aggregate payment of $28.2 million.

Increase in Common Stock Dividends

On January 9, 2020, the Corporation announced an increase in its quarterly common stock dividend from $0.30 to $0.40 per share, payable commencing in the second quarter of 2020, subject to the approval of the Corporation’s Board of Directors. The quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share has been paid on April 1, 2020, July 1, 2020, October 1, 2020 and January 4, 2021 to shareholders of record. On February 26, 2021, the Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a $0.40 quarterly cash dividend per share to be paid on April 1, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 18, 2021.

Loan Repurchase Transaction

During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the Corporation completed bulk loan repurchases from its Ginnie Mae (“GNMA’’), Fannie Mae (“FNMA’’) and Freddie Mac (‘’FHMLC’’) (combined ‘’GSEs’’) loan servicing portfolios with an aggregate balance of $807.6 million. At September 30, 2020, loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $106 million, corresponding to the portfolio acquired from FNMA and FHMLC, had been modified under the Corporation’s COVID-19 relief or other loss mitigation programs.

The following table presents a summary of the impact of the transactions, excluding the effects on operations subsequent to the acquisition. The transactions were executed to limit future exposures to principal and interest advances as well as sundry losses and to deploy liquidity to increase interest income.

Table 1 - Loan Repurchase Transaction

Transaction highlights (in thousands)	FHLMC & FNMA		GNMA ^[1]		Total
Balance Sheet:
Repurchased mortgage loans	$	119,764	$	687,871	$	807,635
Loan premium ^[2]		6,297		-		6,297
Allowance for credit losses ("ACL'') ^[2]		(4,144)		-		(4,144)
Advanced interest receivable		816		20,575		21,391
Income Statement:
Adjustments to indemnity reserves	$	5,052	$	-	$	5,052
Mortgage banking activities:
Mortgage servicing fees		208		3,145		3,353
Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustments		(936)		(7,819)		(8,755)
Losses on repurchased loans, including interest advances		-		(10,548)		(10,548)
Total mortgage banking activities		(728)		(15,222)		(15,950)
Pre-tax income (loss)	$	4,324	$	(15,222)	$	(10,898)
[1] A portion of the acquired loans amounting to $324 million was already recorded as part of the Corporation’s loan portfolio balance, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, due to the delinquency status of the loans and the Corporation's right but not the obligation to repurchase the assets.
[2] The repurchased FNMA loans were previously sold with credit recourse and are considered Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) at the time of repurchase. Therefore, the establishment of the related ACL is recorded as an addition to the purchase price and the loan premium amortized (decrease interest income) over the life of the loan.

Popular Bank’s New York Branches Realignment

On October 27, 2020, Popular Bank (“PB”), the United States mainland banking subsidiary of the Corporation, authorized and approved a strategic realignment of its New York Metro branch network that resulted in eleven (11) branch closures and related staffing reductions. The branch closures were completed on January 29, 2021.

This strategic realignment, which will allow PB to reduce its operating expenses, leverage resources to enhance its focus on small and medium size businesses, as well as support changing customer behaviors, was approved after an assessment of PB’s current branch network, including its usage, proximity to its other branches and customer needs. PB will maintain in its New York Metro region its largest regional retail network in the mainland US, with twenty-seven (27) branches located throughout Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan and Queens, as well as in northern New Jersey.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Corporation recorded a total pre-tax charge of approximately $23.2 million related to the branch realignment. This aggregate pre-tax charge included approximately $2.1 million associated with severance and related benefit costs for the 83 impacted employees and charges of approximately $21.1 million related to the abandonment of real property leases, including the impairment of right-of-use assets. The Corporation expects to incur an additional $2.0 million in expenses during 2021 related to this initiative and anticipates annual operating expense savings of approximately $12.3 million as a result of this strategic realignment.

Refer to Table 2 for selected financial data for the past five years.

Table 2 - Selected Financial Data
				Years ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per common share data)				2020		2019		2018		2017		2016
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	Interest income		$	2,091,551	$	2,260,793	$	2,021,848	$	1,725,944	$	1,634,573
	Interest expense			234,938		369,099		286,971		223,980		212,518
	Net interest income			1,856,613		1,891,694		1,734,877		1,501,964		1,422,055
	Provision for credit losses			292,536		165,779		228,072		325,424		170,016
	Non-interest income			512,312		569,883		652,494		419,167		297,936
	Operating expenses			1,457,829		1,477,482		1,421,562		1,257,196		1,255,635
	Income tax expense			111,938		147,181		119,579		230,830		78,784
	Income from continuing operations			506,622		671,135		618,158		107,681		215,556
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax			-		-		-		-		1,135
		Net income	$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158	$	107,681	$	216,691
		Net income applicable to common stock	$	504,864	$	667,412	$	614,435	$	103,958	$	212,968
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
Net income:
	Basic:
		From continuing operations	$	5.88	$	6.89	$	6.07	$	1.02	$	2.05
		From discontinued operations		-		-		-		-		0.01
		Total	$	5.88	$	6.89	$	6.07	$	1.02	$	2.06
	Diluted:
		From continuing operations	$	5.87	$	6.88	$	6.06	$	1.02	$	2.05
		From discontinued operations		-		-		-		-		0.01
		Total	$	5.87	$	6.88	$	6.06	$	1.02	$	2.06
	Dividends declared		$	1.60	$	1.20	$	1.00	$	1.00	$	0.60
	Common equity per share			71.30		62.42		53.88		49.51		49.60
	Market value per common share			56.32		58.75		47.22		35.49		43.82
	Outstanding shares:
		Average - basic		85,882,371		96,848,835		101,142,258		101,966,429		103,275,264
		Average - assuming dilution		85,975,259		96,997,800		101,308,643		102,045,336		103,377,283
		End of period		84,244,235		95,589,629		99,942,845		102,068,981		103,790,932
AVERAGE BALANCES
	Net loans^[1]		$	28,384,981	$	26,806,368	$	25,062,730	$	23,511,293	$	23,062,242
	Earning assets			56,404,607		44,944,793		43,275,366		37,668,573		33,713,158
	Total assets			59,583,455		50,341,827		46,639,858		41,404,139		37,613,742
	Deposits			51,585,779		42,218,796		38,487,422		33,182,522		29,066,010
	Borrowings			1,321,772		1,404,459		1,879,229		2,000,840		2,339,399
	Total stockholders' equity			5,419,938		5,713,517		5,444,152		5,345,244		5,278,477
PERIOD END BALANCE
	Net loans^[1]		$	29,484,651	$	27,466,076	$	26,559,311	$	24,942,463	$	23,435,446
	Allowance for loan losses			896,250		477,708		569,348		623,426		540,651
	Earning assets			62,989,715		48,674,705		44,325,489		40,680,553		34,861,193
	Total assets			65,926,000		52,115,324		47,604,577		44,277,337		38,661,609
	Deposits			56,866,340		43,758,606		39,710,039		35,453,508		30,496,224
	Borrowings			1,346,284		1,294,986		1,537,673		2,023,485		2,055,477
	Total stockholders' equity			6,028,687		6,016,779		5,435,057		5,103,905		5,197,957
SELECTED RATIOS
	Net interest margin (non-taxable equivalent basis)			3.29	%	4.03	%	4.01	%	3.99	%	4.22	%
	Net interest margin (taxable equivalent basis) -Non-GAAP			3.62		4.43		4.34		4.28		4.48
	Return on assets			0.85		1.33		1.33		0.26		0.58
	Return on common equity			9.36		11.78		11.39		1.96		4.07
	Tier I capital			16.33		17.76		16.90		16.30		16.48
	Total capital			18.81		20.31		19.54		19.22		19.48

[1] Includes loans held-for-sale and covered loans.

Non-GAAP financial measures

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis

Net interest income, on a taxable equivalent basis, is presented with its different components on Table 4 for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared with the same period in 2019, segregated by major categories of interest earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

The interest earning assets include investment securities and loans that are exempt from income tax, principally in Puerto Rico. The main sources of tax-exempt interest income are certain investments in obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and sponsored entities, and certain obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its agencies and assets held by the Corporation’s international banking entities. To facilitate the comparison of all interest related to these assets, the interest income has been converted to a taxable equivalent basis, using the applicable statutory income tax rates for each period. The taxable equivalent computation considers the interest expense and other related expense disallowances required by the Puerto Rico tax law. Under Puerto Rico tax law, the exempt interest can be deducted up to the amount of taxable income. Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this presentation provides meaningful information since it facilitates the comparison of revenues arising from taxable and exempt sources.

Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation may not be comparable to similarly named Non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

Financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2020

The Corporation’s net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $506.6 million, compared to a net income of $671.1 million for 2019. The 24% year-over-year decrease was largely driven by a higher provision expense, lower fees and lower net interest income related to the economic disruption caused by the pandemic.

The discussion that follows provides highlights of the Corporation’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the results of operations of 2019. It also provides some highlights with respect to the Corporation’s financial condition, credit quality, capital and liquidity. Table 2 presents a five-year summary of the components of net income (loss) as a percentage of average total assets.

Table 3 - Components of Net Income as a Percentage of Average Total Assets
	2020		2019		2018		2017		2016
Net interest income	3.12	%	3.76	%	3.72	%	3.63	%	3.78	%
Provision for credit losses	(0.49)		(0.33)		(0.49)		(0.79)		(0.45)
Mortgage banking activities	0.02		0.06		0.11		0.06		0.15
Net gain and valuation adjustments on investment securities	0.01		-		-		-		-
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities	-		-		-		(0.02)		-
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale	-		-		-		-		0.02
Indemnity reserve on loans sold expense	-		-		(0.03)		(0.05)		(0.05)
FDIC loss share income (expense)	-		-		0.20		(0.02)		(0.55)
Other non-interest income	0.83		1.07		1.12		1.05		1.22
Total net interest income and non-interest income, net of provision for credit losses	3.49		4.56		4.63		3.86		4.12
Operating expenses	(2.45)		(2.94)		(3.05)		(3.04)		(3.34)
Income before income tax	1.04		1.62		1.58		0.82		0.78
Income tax expense	0.19		0.29		0.26		0.56		0.20
Net income	0.85	%	1.33	%	1.32	%	0.26	%	0.58	%

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $1.9 billion, a decrease of $35.1 million when compared to 2019. The decrease in net interest income was mainly driven by lower interest income from money market investments and loans (mostly commercial and consumer loans), partially offset by lower interest expense on deposits, despite the higher volume. The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 3.29% compared to 4.03% for the same period in 2019 and was impacted by declines in market rates as well as the change in the earning assets composition. On a taxable equivalent basis, net interest margin was 3.62% in 2020, compared to 4.43% in 2019. Refer to the Net Interest Income section of this MD&A for additional information.

The Corporation’s total provision for credit losses amounted to $292.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared with $165.8 million for 2019. The increase in the provision for credit losses is due to the adoption of the new CECL accounting standard effective January 1, 2020, and deterioration in the economic outlook resulting from the impact of COVID-19. Non-performing assets totaled $824 million at December 31, 2020, reflecting an increase of $174 million when compared to December 31, 2019. As part of the adoption of CECL, the Corporation made the election to break the existing pools of PCI loans and measure them on an individual loan level. Refer to the Provision for Credit Losses and Credit Risk sections of this MD&A for information on the allowance for credit losses, non-performing assets, troubled debt restructurings, net charge-offs and credit quality metrics.

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $512.3 million, a decrease of $57.6 million, when compared with 2019, mostly due to lower service fees and service charges on deposit accounts due to economic disruptions related to the pandemic, and the waiver of service charges and late fees. Refer to the Non-Interest Income section of this MD&A for additional information on the major variances of the different categories of non-interest income.

Total operating expenses amounted to $1.5 billion for the year 2020, a decrease of $19.7 million, when compared to the same period in 2019 as the Corporation took certain cost saving measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on its results of operations. Refer to the Operating Expenses section of this MD&A for additional information.

Income tax expense amounted to $111.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared with an income tax expense of $147.2 million for the previous year. The decrease in income tax expense for the year is mainly due to a lower pre-tax income. Refer to the Income Taxes section in this MD&A and Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on income taxes.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation’s total assets were $65.9 billion, compared with $52.1 billion at December 31, 2019. The increase of $13.8 billion is mainly driven higher investments in debt securities available-for-sale, as the Corporation deployed the liquidity provided by the increase in deposit balances; and the increase in loans held-in-portfolio mainly driven by loans funded

under the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), in addition to the bulk mortgage loan repurchases from the Corporation’s GSEs loan servicing portfolios. Refer to the Statement of Condition Analysis section of this MD&A for additional information.

Deposits amounted to $56.9 billion at December 31, 2020, compared with $43.8 billion at December 31, 2019. Table 8 presents a breakdown of deposits by major categories. The increase in deposits was mainly due to higher Puerto Rico public sector deposits and higher balances in retail and commercial demand and savings deposits accounts. The Corporation’s borrowings remained flat at $1.3 billion at December 31, 2020. Refer to Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed information on the Corporation’s borrowings.

Refer to Table 7 in the Statement of Financial Condition Analysis section of this MD&A for the percentage allocation of the composition of the Corporation’s financing to total assets.

Stockholders’ equity remained flat at $6.0 billion at December 31, 2020, compared with December 31, 2019. The net activity for the year was mainly due to net income of $506.6 million for the year 2020, unrealized gains on debt securities available-for-sale offset by capital transactions including an accelerated share repurchase and the redemption of 2008 Series B preferred stock completed during 2020. The Corporation and its banking subsidiaries continue to be well-capitalized at December 31, 2020. The Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio at December 31, 2020 was 16.26%, compared to 17.76% at December 31, 2019.

For further discussion of operating results, financial condition and business risks refer to the narrative and tables included herein.

The shares of the Corporation’s common stock are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol BPOP.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES / ESTIMATES

The accounting and reporting policies followed by the Corporation and its subsidiaries conform with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and general practices within the financial services industry. The Corporation’s significant accounting policies are described in detail in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with this section.

Critical accounting policies require management to make estimates and assumptions, which involve significant judgment about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and that involve a high degree of subjectivity. These estimates are made under facts and circumstances at a point in time and changes in those facts and circumstances could produce actual results that differ from those estimates. The following MD&A section is a summary of what management considers the Corporation’s critical accounting policies and estimates.

Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments

The Corporation currently measures at fair value on a recurring basis its trading debt securities, debt securities available-for-sale, certain equity securities, derivatives and mortgage servicing rights. Occasionally, the Corporation may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held-for-sale, loans held-in-portfolio that are collateral dependent and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically result from the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

The Corporation categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at fair value under the three-level hierarchy. The level within the hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to the valuation methodology used for fair value measurement are observable.

The Corporation requires the use of observable inputs when available, in order to minimize the use of unobservable inputs to determine fair value. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The amount of judgment involved in estimating the fair value of a financial instrument depends upon the availability of quoted market prices or observable market parameters. In addition, it may be affected by other factors such as the type of instrument, the liquidity of the market for the instrument, transparency around the inputs to the valuation, as well as the contractual characteristics of the instrument.

Broker quotes used for fair value measurements inherently reflect any lack of liquidity in the market since they represent an exit price from the perspective of the market participants. Financial assets that were fair valued using broker quotes amounted to $6 million at December 31, 2020, of which $ 1 million were Level 3 assets and $ 5 million were Level 2 assets. Level 3 assets consisted principally of tax-exempt GNMA mortgage-backed securities. Fair value for these securities was based on an internally-prepared matrix derived from local broker quotes. The main input used in the matrix pricing was non-binding local broker quotes obtained from limited trade activity. Therefore, these securities were classified as Level 3.

Trading Debt Securities and Debt Securities Available-for-Sale

The majority of the values for trading debt securities and debt securities available-for-sale are obtained from third-party pricing services and are validated with alternate pricing sources when available. Securities not priced by a secondary pricing source are documented and validated internally according to their significance to the Corporation’s financial statements. Management has established materiality thresholds according to the investment class to monitor and investigate material deviations in prices obtained from the primary pricing service provider and the secondary pricing source used as support for the valuation results. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation did not adjust any prices obtained from pricing service providers or broker dealers.

Inputs are evaluated to ascertain that they consider current market conditions, including the relative liquidity of the market. When a market quote for a specific security is not available, the pricing service provider generally uses observable data to derive an exit price for the instrument, such as benchmark yield curves and trade data for similar products. To the extent trading data is not available, the pricing service provider relies on specific information including dialogue with brokers, buy side clients, credit ratings, spreads to established benchmarks and transactions on similar securities, to draw correlations based on the characteristics of the evaluated instrument. If for any reason the pricing service provider cannot observe data required to feed its model, it discontinues pricing the instrument. During the year ended December 31, 2020, none of the Corporation’s debt securities were subject to pricing discontinuance by the pricing service providers. The pricing methodology and approach of our primary pricing service providers is concluded to be consistent with the fair value measurement guidance.

Furthermore, management assesses the fair value of its portfolio of investment securities at least on a quarterly basis. Securities are classified in the fair value hierarchy according to product type, characteristics and market liquidity. At the end of each period, management assesses the valuation hierarchy for each asset or liability measured. The fair value measurement analysis performed by the Corporation includes validation procedures and review of market changes, pricing methodology, assumption and level hierarchy changes, and evaluation of distressed transactions.

Refer to Note 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Corporation’s valuation methodologies used for the assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

Interest on loans is accrued and recorded as interest income based upon the principal amount outstanding.

Non-accrual loans are those loans on which the accrual of interest is discontinued. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is charged against interest income and the loan is accounted for either on a cash-basis method or on the cost-recovery method. Loans designated as non-accruing are returned to accrual status when the Corporation expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest. The determination as to the ultimate collectability of the loan’s balance may involve management’s judgment in the evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and prospects for repayment.

Refer to the MD&A section titled Credit Risk, particularly the Non-performing assets sub-section, for a detailed description of the Corporation’s non-accruing and charge-off policies by major loan categories.

One of the most critical and complex accounting estimates is associated with the determination of the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”). Since the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, the Corporation establishes an ACL for its loan portfolio based on its estimate of credit losses over the remaining contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments, in accordance with ASC Topic 326. An ACL is recognized for all loans including originated and purchased loans, since inception, with a corresponding charge to the provision for credit losses, except for purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans as explained below. The Corporation follows a methodology to establish the ACL which includes a reasonable and supportable forecast period for estimating credit losses, considering quantitative and qualitative factors as well as the economic outlook. As part of this methodology,

management evaluates various macroeconomic scenarios provided by third parties. At December 31, 2020, management applied probability weights to the outcome of the selected scenarios.

The Corporation has designated as collateral dependent loans secured by collateral when foreclosure is probable or when foreclosure is not probable but the practical expedient is used. The practical expedient is used when repayment is expected to be provided substantially by the sale or operation of the collateral and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The ACL of collateral dependent loans is measured based on the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell. The fair value of the collateral is based on appraisals, which may be adjusted due to their age, and the type, location, and condition of the property or area or general market conditions to reflect the expected change in value between the effective date of the appraisal and the measurement date. In addition, refer to the Credit Risk section of this MD&A for detailed information on the Corporation’s collateral value estimation for other real estate.

A restructuring constitutes a TDR when the Corporation separately concludes that the restructuring constitutes a concession and the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. For information on the Corporation’s TDR policy, refer to Note 2. The established framework captures the impact of concessions through discounting modified contractual cash flows, both principal and interest, at the loan’s original effective rate. The impact of these concessions is combined with the expected credit losses generated by the quantitative loss models in order to arrive at the ACL.

Loans Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality

PCD loans are defined as those with evidence of a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. PCD loans are initially recorded at its purchase price plus an estimated ACL. Upon the acquisition of a PCD loan, the Corporation recognizes the estimate of the expected credit losses over the remaining contractual term of each individual loan as an ACL with a corresponding addition to the loan purchase price. The amount of the purchased premium or discount which is not related to credit risk is amortized over the life of the loan through net interest income using the effective interest method or a method that approximates the effective interest method. Changes in expected credit losses are recorded as an increase or decrease to the ACL with a corresponding charge (reverse) to the provision for credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Upon transition to the individual loan measurement, these loans follow the same nonaccrual policies as non-PCD loans and are therefore no longer excluded from non-performing status. Modifications of PCD loans that meet the definition of a TDR subsequent to the adoption of ASC Topic 326 are accounted and reported as such following the same processes as non-PCD loans.

Prior to the adoption of CECL, loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality were accounted for under ASC 310-30. Loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 included loans for which it was probable, at the date of acquisition, that the Corporation would not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments and loans which the Corporation elected to account under ASC 310-30 by analogy. Under ASC Subtopic 310-30, these loans were aggregated into pools based on loans that have common risk characteristics. Once the pools were defined, the Corporation maintained the integrity of the pool of multiple loans accounted for as a single asset. Under ASC Subtopic 310-30, the difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the fair value in the loans, or the “accretable yield,” was recognized as interest income using the effective yield method over the estimated life of the loan if the timing and amount of the future cash flows of the pool was reasonably estimable. Therefore, these loans were not considered non-performing. Subsequent to the acquisition date, increases in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date were recognized as a reduction of any ACL established after the acquisition and then as an increase in the accretable yield for the loans prospectively. Decreases in expected cash flows after the acquisition date were recognized by recording an ACL. Charge-offs on loans accounted under ASC Subtopic 310-30 were recorded only to the extent that losses exceeded the non-accretable difference established with purchase accounting.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, and attributable to operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or paid. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the changes are enacted.

The calculation of periodic income taxes is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgments. The Corporation has recorded two accruals for income taxes: (i) the net estimated amount currently due or to be received from taxing jurisdictions, including any reserve for potential examination issues, and (ii) a deferred income tax that represents the estimated impact of temporary differences between how the Corporation recognizes assets and liabilities under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and how such assets and liabilities are recognized under the tax code. Differences in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could impact the Corporation’s financial position or its results of operations. In estimating taxes, management assesses the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax treatment of transactions taking into consideration statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance.

Management evaluates the realization of the deferred tax asset by taxing jurisdiction. The U.S. mainland operations are evaluated as a whole since a consolidated income tax return is filed; on the other hand, the deferred tax asset related to the Puerto Rico operations is evaluated on an entity by entity basis, since no consolidation is allowed in the income tax filing. Accordingly, this evaluation is composed of three major components: U.S. mainland operations, Puerto Rico banking operations and Holding Company.

For the evaluation of the realization of the deferred tax asset by taxing jurisdiction, refer to Note 34.

Under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, the Corporation and its subsidiaries are treated as separate taxable entities and are not entitled to file consolidated tax returns. The Code provides a dividends-received deduction of 100% on dividends received from “controlled” subsidiaries subject to taxation in Puerto Rico and 85% on dividends received from other taxable domestic corporations.

Changes in the Corporation’s estimates can occur due to changes in tax rates, new business strategies, newly enacted guidance, and resolution of issues with taxing authorities regarding previously taken tax positions. Such changes could affect the amount of accrued taxes. The Corporation has made tax payments in accordance with estimated tax payments rules. Any remaining payment will not have any significant impact on liquidity and capital resources.

The valuation of deferred tax assets requires judgment in assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns and future profitability. The accounting for deferred tax consequences represents management’s best estimate of those future events. Changes in management’s current estimates, due to unanticipated events, could have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Corporation establishes tax liabilities or reduces tax assets for uncertain tax positions when, despite its assessment that its tax return positions are appropriate and supportable under local tax law, the Corporation believes it may not succeed in realizing the tax benefit of certain positions if challenged. In evaluating a tax position, the Corporation determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Corporation’s estimate of the ultimate tax liability contains assumptions based on past experiences, and judgments about potential actions by taxing jurisdictions as well as judgments about the likely outcome of issues

that have been raised by taxing jurisdictions. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Corporation evaluates these uncertain tax positions each quarter and adjusts the related tax liabilities or assets in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit or the expiration of a statute of limitations. The Corporation believes the estimates and assumptions used to support its evaluation of uncertain tax positions are reasonable.

After consideration of the effect on U.S. federal tax of unrecognized U.S. state tax benefits, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including U.S. and Puerto Rico that, if recognized through earnings, would affect the Corporation’s effective tax rate, was approximately $10.2 million at December 31, 2020 and $10.5 million at December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 34 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on this subject matter. The Corporation anticipates a reduction in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months, which could amount to approximately $13.6 million, including interest.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons including adding amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open income tax returns due to the statutes of limitation, changes in management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of examinations, litigation and legislative activity and the addition or elimination of uncertain tax positions. Although the outcome of tax audits is uncertain, the Corporation believes that adequate amounts of tax, interest and penalties have been provided for any adjustments that are expected to result from open years. From time to time, the Corporation is audited by various federal, state and local authorities regarding income tax matters. Although management believes its approach in determining the appropriate tax treatment is supportable and in accordance with the accounting standards, it is possible that the final tax authority will take a tax position that is different than the tax position reflected in the Corporation’s income tax provision and other tax reserves. As each audit is conducted, adjustments, if any, are appropriately recorded in the consolidated financial statement in the period determined. Such differences could have an adverse effect on the Corporation’s income tax provision or benefit, or other tax reserves, in the reporting period in which such determination is made and, consequently, on the Corporation’s results of operations, financial position and / or cash flows for such period.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Corporation’s goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets having an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment. Intangibles with indefinite lives are evaluated for impairment at least annually, and on a more frequent basis, if events or circumstances indicate impairment could have taken place. Such events could include, among others, a significant adverse change in the business climate, an adverse action by a regulator, an unanticipated change in the competitive environment and a decision to change the operations or dispose of a reporting unit. Other identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life are evaluated periodically for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Goodwill impairment is recognized when the carrying amount of any of the reporting units exceeds its fair value up to the amount of the goodwill. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-04 on January 1, 2020, the goodwill impairment test consisted of a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If needed, the second step consists of comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The Corporation estimates the fair value of each reporting unit, consistent with the requirements of the fair value measurements accounting standard, generally using a combination of methods, including market price multiples of comparable companies and transactions, as well as discounted cash flow analyses. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted under applicable accounting standards. No impairment was recognized by the Corporation from the annual test as of July 31, 2020.For a detailed description of the annual goodwill impairment evaluation performed by the Corporation during the third quarter of 2020, refer to Note 14.

At December 31, 2020, goodwill amounted to $671 million. Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides the assignment of goodwill by reportable segment.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations

The Corporation provides pension and restoration benefit plans for certain employees of various subsidiaries. The Corporation also provides certain health care benefits for retired employees of BPPR. The non-contributory defined pension and benefit restoration plans (“the Pension Plans”) are frozen with regards to all future benefit accruals.

The estimated benefit costs and obligations of the Pension Plans and Postretirement Health Care Benefit Plan (“OPEB Plan”) are impacted by the use of subjective assumptions, which can materially affect recorded amounts, including expected returns on plan assets, discount rates, termination rates, retirement rates and health care trend rates. Management applies judgment in the determination of these factors, which normally undergo evaluation against current industry practice and the actual experience of the Corporation. The Corporation uses an independent actuarial firm for assistance in the determination of the Pension Plans and OPEB Plan costs and obligations. Detailed information on the Plans and related valuation assumptions are included in Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Corporation periodically reviews its assumption for the long-term expected return on Pension Plans assets. The Pension Plans’ assets fair value at December 31, 2020 was $878.8 million. The expected return on plan assets is determined by considering various factors, including a total fund return estimate based on a weighted-average of estimated returns for each asset class in each plan. Asset class returns are estimated using current and projected economic and market factors such as real rates of return, inflation, credit spreads, equity risk premiums and excess return expectations.

As part of the review, the Corporation’s independent consulting actuaries performed an analysis of expected returns based on each plan’s expected asset allocation for the year 2021 using the Willis Towers Watson US Expected Return Estimator. This analysis is reviewed by the Corporation and used as a tool to develop expected rates of return, together with other data. This forecast reflects the actuarial firm’s view of expected long-term rates of return for each significant asset class or economic indicator; for example, 8.5% for large cap stocks, 8.8% for small cap stocks, 8.9% for international stocks, 3.3% for long corporate bonds and 2.0% for long Treasury bonds at January 1, 2021. A range of expected investment returns is developed, and this range relies both on forecasts and on broad-market historical benchmarks for expected returns, correlations, and volatilities for each asset class.

As a consequence of recent reviews, the Corporation decreased its expected return on plan assets for year 2021 to 4.60% and 5.50% for the Pension Plans. Expected rates of return of 5.0% and 5.8% had been used for 2020 and 5.3% and 6.0% had been used for 2019 for the Pension Plans. Since the expected return assumption is on a long-term basis, it is not materially impacted by the yearly fluctuations (either positive or negative) in the actual return on assets. The expected return can be materially impacted by a change in the plan’s asset allocation.

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (“pension expense”) for the Pension Plans amounted to $6.2 million in 2020. The total pension expense included a benefit of $38.1 million for the expected return on assets.

Pension expense is sensitive to changes in the expected return on assets. For example, decreasing the expected rate of return for 2020 from 4.60% to 4.35% would increase the projected 2021 pension expense for the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Retirement Plan, the Corporation’s largest plan, by approximately $2.0 million.

If the projected benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, the Corporation shall recognize a liability equal to the unfunded projected benefit obligation and vice versa, if the fair value of plan assets exceeds the projected benefit obligation, the Corporation recognizes an asset equal to the overfunded projected benefit obligation. This asset or liability may result in a taxable or deductible temporary difference and its tax effect shall be recognized as an income tax expense or benefit which shall be allocated to various components of the financial statements, including other comprehensive income. The determination of the fair value of pension plan obligations involves judgment, and any changes in those estimates could impact the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Management believes that the fair value estimates of the Pension Plans assets are reasonable given the valuation methodologies used to measure the investments at fair value as described in Note 27. Also, the compositions of the plan assets are primarily in equity and debt securities, which have readily determinable quoted market prices. The Corporation had recorded a liability for the underfunded pension benefit obligation of $35.6 million at December 31, 2020.

The Corporation uses the spot rate yield curve from the Willis Towers Watson RATE: Link (10/90) Model to discount the expected projected cash flows of the plans. The equivalent single weighted average discount rate ranged from 2.41% to 2.48% for the Pension Plans and 2.65% for the OPEB Plan to determine the benefit obligations at December 31, 2020.

A 50 basis point decrease to each of the rates in the December 31, 2020 Willis Towers Watson RATE: Link (10/90) Model would increase the projected 2021 expense for the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Retirement Plan by approximately $2.1 million. The change would not affect the minimum required contribution to the Pension Plans.

The OPEB Plan was unfunded (no assets were held by the plan) at December 31, 2020. The Corporation had recorded a liability for the underfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $179.2 million at December 31, 2020.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS ANALYSIS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between the revenue generated from earning assets, including loan fees, less the interest cost of deposits and borrowed money. Several risk factors might influence net interest income including the economic environment in which we operate, market driven events, changes in volumes, repricing characteristics, loans fees collected, moratoriums granted on loan payments and delay charges, interest collected on nonaccrual loans, as well as strategic decisions made by the Corporation’s management. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $1.9 billion, a decline of $35.1 million when compared to 2019. Net interest income, on a taxable equivalent basis, for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $2.0 billion compared to $2.1 billion in 2019.

Due to the Corporation’s current asset sensitive position, low current or expected interest rates will negatively impact our results. See the Risk Management: Market/Interest Rate Risk section of this MD&A for additional information related to the Corporation’s interest rate risk.

The average key index rates for the years 2020 and 2019 were as follows:


	2020	2019
Prime rate………………………………………………………………………………………………….	3.53%	5.28%
Fed funds rate……………………………………………………………………………………………..	0.35	2.15
3-month LIBOR……………………………………………………………………………………………	0.65	2.33
3-month Treasury Bill…………………………………………………………………………………….	0.35	2.09
10-year Treasury………………………………………………………………………………………….	0.89	2.14
FNMA 30-year…………………………………………………………………………………………….	1.01	2.85

Average outstanding securities balances are based upon amortized cost excluding any unrealized gains or losses on securities available-for-sale. Non-accrual loans have been included in the respective average loans and leases categories. Loan fees collected, and costs incurred in the origination of loans are deferred and amortized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to interest yield. Prepayment penalties, late fees collected and the amortization of premiums / discounts on purchased loans are also included as part of the loan yield. Interest income for the period ended December 31, 2020 included a favorable impact of $55.3 million, related to those items, compared to $55.9 million for the same period in 2019, excluding the discount accretion on loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30. The decrease of $0.6 million is mainly due to lower amortization of fees related to the discount portfolio from Reliable.

Table 3 presents the different components of the Corporation’s net interest income, on a taxable equivalent basis, for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared with the same period in 2019, segregated by major categories of interest earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin decreased by 74 basis points to 3.29% in 2020, compared to 4.03% in 2019. The lower net interest margin for the year is driven by the decrease of 225 basis points in the Federal Funds Rate that occurred during the second half of 2019 (75 basis points) and in the first quarter of 2020 (150 basis points) and the increase in average deposits by $9.4 billion which were redeployed mostly in overnight Fed Funds, U.S. Treasury and agency debt securities and $1.4 billion in loans funded under the SBA PPP Program. These assets, although accretive to net interest income, are low yielding assets and compressed the net interest margin. Management took actions to deploy a portion of this liquidity by acquiring investment securities, including U.S. agency mortgage backed securities and executing the $807.6 million in bulk loan repurchases from its GNMA, FNMA and FHMLC loan servicing portfolios. On a taxable equivalent basis, net interest margin was 3.62% in 2020, compared to 4.43% in 2019. Net interest income decreased by $35.1 million year over year and $36.5 million on a taxable equivalent basis. The main variances in net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis were:

Negative variances:

· Lower interest income from money market investments due to lower market rates, partially offset by higher volume driven mainly by the increase in deposits;

· Lower interest income from investment securities due to lower rates, partially offset by a higher volume of U.S. Treasuries and U.S. agency mortgage backed agencies to deploy liquidity and to benefit from the Puerto Rico tax exemption of these assets and higher yield; and,

· Lower interest income from loans mainly driven by a lower amortization on the discount on the portfolio acquired from Wells Fargo in 2018, waived fees on past due loans associated to the moratorium granted in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the decrease in rates in variable rate loans and new production. These negative variances were partially offset by higher volume of loans, mainly PPP, both in Puerto Rico and the U.S., auto loan financing in BPPR and commercial and mortgage loan growth in PB.

Positive variances:

· Lower interest expense on deposits driven by lower interest cost, in both BPPR and PB, which resulted from the decrease in market rates, as discussed above and management actions to reduce costs. The cost of interest deposits decreased 47 basis points at the consolidated level and also decreased 47 basis points in BPPR and PB. These decreases in interest expense were partially offset by a higher average balance of interest-bearing deposits in most categories mainly driven by the inflow of deposits from the relief and assistance programs provided by the Puerto Rico and Federal governments in response to the pandemic.

Table 4 - Analysis of Levels & Yields on a Taxable Equivalent Basis from Continuing Operations (Non-GAAP)
Years ended December 31,
																					Variance
Average Volume						Average Yields / Costs								Interest							Attributable to
	2020		2019	Variance		2020		2019		Variance					2020		2019		Variance		Rate		Volume
	(In millions)														(In thousands)
$	8,598	$	4,166	$	4,432	0.23	%	2.16	%	(1.93)	%	Money market investments		$	19,722	$	89,824	$	(70,102)	$	(119,126)	$	49,024
	19,353		15,905		3,448	2.42		3.15		(0.73)		Investment securities [1]			467,994		501,781		(33,787)		(129,254)		95,467
	69		68		1	6.00		7.55		(1.55)		Trading securities			4,165		5,103		(938)		(1,074)		136
												Total money market,
													investment and trading
	28,020		20,139		7,881	1.76		2.96		(1.20)			securities		491,881		596,708		(104,827)		(249,454)		144,627
												Loans:
	13,245		12,171		1,074	5.23		6.11		(0.88)			Commercial		692,372		743,682		(51,310)		(113,207)		61,897
	913		801		112	5.74		6.59		(0.85)			Construction		52,438		52,767		(329)		(7,253)		6,924
	1,112		989		123	6.05		6.06		(0.01)			Leasing		67,247		59,935		7,312		(92)		7,404
	7,255		7,121		134	5.23		5.36		(0.13)			Mortgage		379,794		381,493		(1,699)		(8,823)		7,124
	2,839		2,885		(46)	11.34		11.81		(0.47)			Consumer		322,009		340,848		(18,839)		(14,150)		(4,690)
	3,021		2,839		182	8.97		9.59		(0.62)			Auto		271,162		272,169		(1,007)		(17,927)		16,921
	28,385		26,806		1,579	6.29		6.90		(0.61)		Total loans			1,785,022		1,850,894		(65,872)		(161,452)		95,580
$	56,405	$	46,945	$	9,460	4.04	%	5.21	%	(1.17)	%	Total earning assets		$	2,276,903	$	2,447,602	$	(170,699)	$	(410,906)	$	240,207
												Interest bearing deposits:
$	19,678	$	15,327	$	4,351	0.28	%	0.96	%	(0.68)	%		NOW and money market [2]	$	54,652	$	146,684	$	(92,032)	$	(118,302)	$	26,270
	12,399		10,249		2,150	0.30		0.44		(0.14)			Savings		37,765		45,516		(7,751)		(17,891)		10,140
	7,971		7,770		201	1.05		1.45		(0.40)			Time deposits		83,438		112,658		(29,220)		(29,338)		118
	40,048		33,346		6,702	0.44		0.91		(0.47)		Total deposits			175,855		304,858		(129,003)		(165,531)		36,528
	166		231		(65)	1.48		2.64		(1.16)		Short-term borrowings			2,457		6,099		(3,642)		(2,101)		(1,541)
												Other medium and
	1,178		1,194		(16)	4.81		4.77		0.04			long-term debt		56,626		58,142		(1,516)		(933)		(583)
												Total interest bearing
	41,392		34,771		6,621	0.57		1.06		(0.49)			liabilities		234,938		369,099		(134,161)		(168,565)		34,404
	11,538		8,873		2,665							Demand deposits
	3,475		3,301		174							Other sources of funds
$	56,405	$	46,945	$	9,460	0.42	%	0.78	%	(0.36)	%	Total source of funds			234,938		369,099		(134,161)		(168,565)		34,404
						3.62	%	4.43	%	(0.81)	%	Net interest margin/ income on a taxable equivalent basis (Non-GAAP)			2,041,965		2,078,503		(36,538)	$	(242,341)	$	205,803
						3.47	%	4.15	%	(0.68)	%	Net interest spread
												Taxable equivalent adjustment			185,353		186,809		(1,456)
						3.29	%	4.03	%	(0.74)	%	Net interest margin/ income non-taxable equivalent basis (GAAP)		$	1,856,612	$	1,891,694	$	(35,082)
Note: The changes that are not due solely to volume or rate are allocated to volume and rate based on the proportion of the change in each category.
[1] Average outstanding securities balances are based upon amortized cost excluding any unrealized gains or losses on securities available-for-sale.
[2] Includes interest bearing demand deposits corresponding to certain government entities in Puerto Rico.

Provision for Credit Losses – Loan Portfolio

The Corporation’s provision for credit losses was $282.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $165.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $116.6 million. The increase in the provision for credit losses for the year 2020 when compared to the prior year reflects the impact of the adoption of the new CECL accounting standard, as well as the estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Corporation recorded a provision for estimated credit losses for unfunded loan commitments amounting to $12.6 million, compared to $0.5 million for 2019. As discussed in Note 8, during 2019, the provision for unfunded commitments was recorded as a component of other expenses.

The provision for credit losses for the BPPR loan portfolio segment was $205.9 million for the year 2020, compared to $135.8 million for the year 2019, an increase of $70.1 million. The Popular U.S. segment provision for credit losses amounted to $76.5 million for the year 2020, an increase of $46.5 million when compared to $30.0 million for the year 2019.

As discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, within the process to estimate its allowance for credit losses (“ACL”), the Corporation applies probability weights to the outcomes of simulations using Moody’s Analytics’ Baseline, S3 (pessimistic) and S1 (optimistic) scenarios.

Refer to the Credit Risk section of this MD&A for a detailed analysis of net charge-offs, non-performing assets, the allowance for credit losses and selected loan losses statistics.

Provision for Credit Losses – Investment Securities

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recorded a release of $2.4 million on its ACL related to its investment securities portfolio of obligations from the Government of Puerto Rico, states and political subdivisions after the adoption of the new CECL accounting standard on January 1^st, 2020. At December 31, 2020, the total allowance for credit losses for this portfolio amounted to $10.3 million.

Non-Interest Income

For the year ended December 31, 2020, non-interest income decreased by $57.6 million, when compared with the previous year primarily driven by:

· lower service charges on deposit accounts by $13.1 million, mainly in the BPPR segment, due to lower transactions and the temporary waiver of fees during part of the year as part of the financial relief programs implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;

· lower other service fees by $27.3 million, principally at the BPPR segment, due to lower credit and debit card fees by $10.3 million as a result of lower transactional volumes and the temporary waiver of service charges and late charges during part of the year as a result of the pandemic, lower insurance fees by $10.2 million in part due to lower contingent insurance commissions by $7.0 million and lower other fees by $5.9 million in part due to lower retail auto loan servicing fee income; and

· lower income from mortgage banking activities by $21.7 million mainly due to higher unfavorable fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing rights by $14.6 million in part due to the $8.8 million negative fair value adjustment recognized during the third quarter of 2020 as a result of the bulk repurchase completed by BPPR from its GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC servicing portfolio; a $10.5 million loss in interest advances related to GNMA loans recognized in connection with the bulk repurchase during the third quarter of 2020; and higher realized losses on closed derivatives positions by $4.3 million; partially offset by higher gains from securitization transactions by $10.1 million;

partially offset by:

· an increase in net gain on equity securities of $3.8 million mainly related to a $4.1 million gain on sale of certain equity securities at PB during the third quarter of 2020.

Operating Expenses

Table 5 provides a breakdown of operating expenses by major categories.

Table 5 - Operating Expenses
		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2020			2019			2018			2017			2016
Personnel costs:
	Salaries	$	370,179		$	351,788		$	326,509		$	313,394		$	308,135
	Commissions, incentives and other bonuses		78,582			97,764			90,000			70,099			73,684
	Pension, postretirement and medical insurance		44,123			41,804			39,660			40,065			41,203
	Other personnel costs, including payroll taxes		71,321			99,269			106,819			53,204			54,373
	Total personnel costs		564,205			590,625			562,988			476,762			477,395
Net occupancy expenses			119,345			96,339			88,329			89,194			85,653
Equipment expenses			88,932			84,215			71,788			65,142			62,225
Other taxes			54,454			51,653			46,284			43,382			42,304
Professional fees:
	Collections, appraisals and other credit related fees		12,588			16,300			14,700			14,415			14,607
	Programming, processing and other technology services		253,565			247,332			216,128			199,873			205,466
	Legal fees, excluding collections		10,611			12,877			19,072			11,763			42,393
	Other professional fees		117,358			107,902			99,944			66,437			60,577
	Total professional fees		394,122			384,411			349,844			292,488			323,043
Communications			23,496			23,450			23,107			22,466			23,897
Business promotion			57,608			75,372			65,918			58,445			53,014
FDIC deposit insurance			23,868			18,179			27,757			26,392			24,512
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			-			-			12,522			-			-
Other real estate owned (OREO) (income) expenses			(3,480)			4,298			23,338			48,540			47,119
Other operating expenses:
	Credit and debit card processing, volume, interchange and other expenses		45,108			38,059			27,979			26,201			20,796
	Operational losses		26,331			21,414			35,798			39,612			35,995
	All other		57,443			80,097			76,584			59,194			43,737
	Total other operating expenses		128,882			139,570			140,361			125,007			100,528
Amortization of intangibles			6,397			9,370			9,326			9,378			12,144
Goodwill and trademark impairment losses			-			-			-			-			3,801
Total operating expenses		$	1,457,829		$	1,477,482		$	1,421,562		$	1,257,196		$	1,255,635
Personnel costs to average assets			0.95	%		1.17	%		1.21	%		1.15	%		1.27	%
Operating expenses to average assets			2.45			2.93			3.05			3.04			3.34
Employees (full-time equivalent)			8,522			8,560			8,474			7,784			7,828
Average assets per employee (in millions)			$6.99			$5.88			$5.50			$5.32			$4.81

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $19.7 million, when compared with the previous year. The year 2020 reflected $23.2 million in expenses related to PB’s New York branches realignment. Excluding this item, operating expenses would have decreased by $42.9 million. The decrease in operating expenses was driven primarily by:

· Lower personnel cost by $26.4 million due to lower incentives related to the profit-sharing plan by $28.8 million and lower commission, incentive and other bonuses by $19.2 million; partially offset by higher salaries by $18.4 million due to annual salary revision and $2.1 million in severance expense related to PB’s branch realignment;

· Lower business promotions by $17.8 million mainly due to lower advertising expense by $7.9 million as a result of expenses during 2019 associated with the integration of the business acquired from Wells Fargo and adjustments in promotional activity due to the pandemic and lower consumer reward program expense by $4.4 million;

· Lower OREO expense by $7.8 million due to the temporary suspension of foreclosure activity as part of the pandemic relief measures; and

· Lower other operating expenses by $10.7 million mainly due to lower pension plan cost by $13.4 million due to annual changes in actuarial assumptions, lower transportation and traveling expenses by $4.0 million due to the pandemic and lower claims foreclosure expenses by $3.0 million; partially offset by higher credit and debit card processing expenses by $7.0 million and higher reserves for operational losses by $4.9 million.

These variances were partially offset by:

· Higher net occupancy expense by $23.0 million due to $19.0 million in costs related to the termination of real property leases associated with PB’s New York branch realignment, including the impairment of the right-of-use assets;

· Higher equipment expense by $4.7 million due to higher software license costs;

· Higher professional fees by $9.7 million mainly due to higher advisory expenses by $8.3 million related to corporate initiatives, higher programming, processing and other technology services by $6.2 million and higher audit and tax services by $3.2 million mainly related to work on new accounting pronouncements; partially offset by lower collections, appraisals and other credit related fees by $3.7 million due to the temporary suspension of collection efforts related to the pandemic and lower legal fees by $4.6 million; and

· Higher FDIC deposit insurance by $5.7 million due to an increase in the assessment base.

INCOME TAXES

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recorded an income tax expense of $111.9 million, compared to $147.2 million for the same period of 2019. The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflects the impact of lower pre-tax income, resulting primarily from a higher provision for credit losses and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At December 31,2020, the Corporation had a deferred tax asset amounting to $0.8 billion, net of a valuation allowance of $0.5 billion. The deferred tax asset related to the U.S. operations was $0.3 billion, net of a valuation allowance of $0.4 billion.

Refer to Note 34 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of the statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate and additional information on the income tax expense and deferred tax asset balances.

Fourth Quarter Results

The Corporation recognized net income of $176.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared with a net income of $166.8 million for the same quarter of 2019.

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2020 amounted to $471.6 million, compared with $467.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of $4.2 million. The increase in net interest income was mainly due to increase in average balance of earning assets, mainly due to increase in deposits. The net interest margin declined by 79 basis points to 3.04% due to declines in market rates and the change in earning assets mix, which were concentrated in overnight Fed Funds, U.S. Treasuries and MBS as well PPP loans, which are all lower yielding assets.

The provision for credit losses amounted to $21.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 20120, calculated under the CECL model, compared to $47.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. The provision for loans held-in portfolio at BPPR and PB segments decreased by $16.1 million and $20.4 million, respectively, reflective of improvements in the macroeconomic scenarios during the fourth quarter. In addition, the Corporation recognized $12.2 million in provision for unfunded commitments, including a reclassification of $10.0 million from other operating expenses and a reduction to the reserve for credit losses in our investment portfolio of $2.2 million, during the fourth quarter of 2020.

Non-interest income amounted to $144.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared with $152.4 million for the same quarter in 2019. The decrease of $7.6 million was mainly due to lower other service fees and lower mortgage banking activities.

Operating expenses totaled $375.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared with $390.6 million for the same quarter in the previous year. The decrease of $14.7 million is mainly related to lower personnel costs, business promotion expenses, and lower other operating expenses due to the reclassification of $10.0 million in provision for unfunded commitments from the other expenses line to the provision for credit losses caption, partially offset by higher net occupancy expenses related to the termination of real property leases associated with PB’s New York branch rationalization, amounting to $19.0 million, including the impairment of the right-of-use assets and related costs.

Income tax expense amounted to $43.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared with income tax expense of $15.3 million for the same quarter of 2019. The increase is mainly due to higher pre-tax income and lower net exempt interest income during the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2019. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2019, the Corporation recorded a tax benefit of approximately $18 million related to the revision of the amount of exempt income for prior years. The effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the fourth quarter of 2020 was 20%.

REPORTABLE SEGMENT RESULTS

The Corporation’s reportable segments for managerial reporting purposes consist of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and Popular U.S. A Corporate group has been defined to support the reportable segments.

For a description of the Corporation’s reportable segments, including additional financial information and the underlying management accounting process, refer to Note 36 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Corporate group reported a net income of $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to a net income of $6.1 million for the previous year. The increase in the net income was mainly attributed to higher non-interest income by $2.5 million and lower operating expenses by $1.0 million mainly due to lower profit-sharing plan expense, partially offset by higher net-interest loss by $1.8 million due to lower income from money market investments.

Highlights on the earnings results for the reportable segments are discussed below:

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

The Banco Popular de Puerto Rico reportable segment’s net income amounted to $499.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared with $609.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The results for 2020 were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the implementation of the CECL accounting pronouncement. The principal factors that contributed to the variance in the financial results included the following:

· Lower net interest income by $40.4 million due to lower interest income from loans by $51.0 million and lower income from money market investments and debt securities by $97.9 million, reflective of lower rates; partially offset by lower interest expense from deposits by $107.6 million. The BPPR segment’s net interest margin was 3.40% for 2020 compared with 4.30% for the same period in 2019;

· Higher provision for credit losses by $75.5 million mainly due to the implementation of CECL and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the macroeconomic outlook;

· Lower non-interest income by $60.8 million mainly due to:

· Lower service charges on deposit accounts by $9.7 million due to lower transactions and the temporary waiver of fees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;

· Lower other service fees by $25.2 million due to lower debit and credit card transactions and the temporary waiver of fees, lower contingent insurance revenues and lower auto loans servicing income;

· Lower mortgage banking activities by $23.2 million due to unfavorable fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing rights, and interest losses on GNMA loans as a result of the bulk loan repurchase completed in the third quarter.

· Lower operating expenses by $42.8 million, mainly due to:

· Lower personnel costs by $20.9 million mainly due to lower profit-sharing plan expense;

· Lower professional fees by $19.8 million mainly due to lower consulting and advisory services, as these have been centralized at the Corporate segment;

· Lower business promotions by $13.2 million mainly due to the expenses during 2019 associated with the integration of the business acquired from Wells Fargo, lower consumer reward program expense and lower expenses related to product marketing campaigns;

· Lower OREO expenses by $9.7 million due to the temporary suspension of foreclosure activity as part of the pandemic relief measures and lower gains on sales of foreclosed properties;

Partially offset by:

· Higher other operating expenses by $10.4 million due to higher Corporate expense allocations related to consulting and advisory fees, offset by lower pension plan expenses due to changes in the actuarial assumptions and lower traveling and foreclosure claims expenses due to the pandemic.

· Lower income tax expense by $22.3 million due to lower income before tax.

Popular U.S.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the reportable segment of Popular U.S. reported net loss of $0.7 million, compared with a net income of $55.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The principal factors that contributed to the variance in the financial results included the following:

· Higher net interest income by $7.0 million mainly due to lower income from loans by $9.6 million due to lower rates, offset by higher volumes of PPP loans, and lower income from money market investments and debt securities by $12.6 million, reflective of lower market rates, partially offset by lower interest expense from deposits by $26.3 million. The Popular U.S. reportable segment’s net interest margin was 3.21% for 2020 compared with 3.32% for the same period in 2019;

· Higher provision for credit losses by $51.5 million mainly due to the implementation of CECL;

· Higher operating expenses by $24.5 million mainly due to:

· Higher occupancy expenses due to the impact of the NY branch rationalization resulting in $19.0 million in lease termination costs, including the impairment of the right of use assets,

· Higher other operating expenses by $14.7 million due to higher Corporate expense allocations related to consulting and advisory fees;

Partially offset by:

· Lower personnel costs by $6.9 million due to lower profit-sharing plan expense and lower medical and other fringe benefits expenses.

· Income taxes favorable variance of $11.8 million mainly due to lower income before tax.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ANALYSIS

Assets

The Corporation’s total assets were $65.9 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $52.1 billion at December 31, 2019. Refer to the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2020 and 2019 included in this 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Also, refer to the Statistical Summary 2016-2020 in this MD&A for Condensed Statements of Financial Condition for the past five years.

Money market, trading and investment securities

Money market investments totaled $11.6 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $3.3 billion at December 31, 2019. The increase was mainly due to an increase in deposits mainly in public funds from the Government of Puerto Rico.

Debt securities available-for-sale increased by $3.9 billion to $21.6 billion at December 31, 2020 mainly due to purchases of U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, partially offset by maturities and paydowns of U.S. Treasury securities. Refer to Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information with respect to the Corporation’s debt securities available-for-sale.

Loans

Refer to Table 6 for a breakdown of the Corporation’s loan portfolio. Also, refer to Note 7 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed information about the Corporation’s loan portfolio composition and loan purchases and sales.

Loans held-in-portfolio increased by $2.0 billion to $29.4 billion at December 31, 2020 mainly driven by growth of commercial loans due to originations of PPP loans at both BPPR and PB and an increase of $0.7 billion in mortgage loans mainly due to bulk loan repurchases from the Corporation’s GSEs loan servicing portfolios.

The allowance for credit losses for the loan portfolio increased by $0.4 billion, which includes the impact of the adoption of CECL. Refer to the Credit Quality section of the MD&A for additional information on the Allowance for credit losses for the loan portfolio.

Table 6 - Loans Ending Balances
	At December 31,
(In thousands)		2020		2019		2018		2017		2016
Loans not covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements:
Commercial	$	13,606,280	$	12,312,751	$	12,043,019	$	11,488,861	$	10,798,507
Construction		918,765		831,092		779,449		880,029		776,300
Legacy^[1]		15,473		22,105		25,949		32,980		45,293
Lease financing		1,197,661		1,059,507		934,773		809,990		702,893
Mortgage		7,890,680		7,183,532		7,235,258		7,270,407		6,696,361
Consumer		5,756,337		5,997,886		5,489,441		3,810,527		3,754,393
Total non-covered loans held-in-portfolio		29,385,196		27,406,873		26,507,889		24,292,794		22,773,747
Loans covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements:
Mortgage		-		-		-		502,930		556,570
Consumer		-		-		-		14,344		16,308
Loans covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements		-		-		-		517,274		572,878
Total loans held-in-portfolio		29,385,196		27,406,873		26,507,889		24,810,068		23,346,625
Loans held-for-sale:
Commercial		2,738		-		-		-		-
Mortgage		96,717		59,203		51,422		132,395		88,821
Total loans held-for-sale		99,455		59,203		51,422		132,395		88,821
Total loans	$	29,484,651	$	27,466,076	$	26,559,311	$	24,942,463	$	23,435,446
[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the PB reportable segment.

Other assets

Other assets amounted to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2020, a decrease of $0.1 billion when compared to December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 13 for a breakdown of the principal categories that comprise the caption of “Other Assets” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Liabilities

The Corporation’s total liabilities were $59.9 billion at December 31, 2020, an increase of $13.8 billion compared to $46.1 billion at December 31, 2019, mainly due to increases in deposits as discussed below. Refer to the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition included in this Form 10-K.

Deposits and Borrowings

The composition of the Corporation’s financing to total assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019 is included in Table 7.

Table 7 - Financing to Total Assets
	December 31,		December 31,		% increase (decrease)		% of total assets
(In millions)		2020		2019	from 2019 to 2020		2020		2019
Non-interest bearing deposits	$	13,129	$	9,160	43.3	%	19.9	%	17.6	%
Interest-bearing core deposits		38,599		29,610	30.4		58.5		56.8
Other interest-bearing deposits		5,138		4,988	3.0		7.8		9.6
Repurchase agreements		121		193	(37.3)		0.2		0.4
Notes payable		1,225		1,102	11.2		1.9		2.1
Other liabilities		1,685		1,045	61.2		2.6		2.0
Stockholders’ equity		6,029		6,017	0.2		9.1		11.5

Deposits

The Corporation’s deposits totaled $56.9 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $43.8 billion at December 31, 2019.The deposits increase of $13.1 billion was mainly due to an increase at BPPR of retail and commercial demand and savings accounts by $8.2 billion and Puerto Rico public sector deposits by $4.5 billion. Public sector deposit balances are expected to decline over the long term. However, the receipt by the P.R. Government of additional COVID-19-related Federal assistance and seasonal tax collections are likely to increase public deposit balances at BPPR in the near term. The rate at which public deposit balances will decline is uncertain and difficult to predict. The amount and timing of any such reduction is likely to be impacted by, for example, the timeline of current debt restructuring efforts under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”) and the speed at which the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) assistance is distributed. Generally, these deposits require high credit quality securities as collateral. Therefore, while there can be timing differences between the deposit outflow and the release of collateral, generally the liquidity risks from public deposit outflows are lower. Refer to Table 8 for a breakdown of the Corporation’s deposits at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Table 8 - Deposits Ending Balances
(In thousands)		2020		2019		2018		2017		2016
Demand deposits [1]	$	22,532,729	$	16,566,145	$	16,077,023	$	12,460,081	$	9,053,897
Savings, NOW and money market deposits (non-brokered)		26,390,565		19,169,899		15,616,247		15,054,242		13,327,298
Savings, NOW and money market deposits (brokered)		635,198		347,765		400,004		424,307		405,487
Time deposits (non-brokered)		7,130,749		7,546,621		7,500,544		7,411,140		7,486,717
Time deposits (brokered CDs)		177,099		128,176		116,221		103,738		222,825
Total deposits	$	56,866,340	$	43,758,606	$	39,710,039	$	35,453,508	$	30,496,224

[1] Includes interest and non-interest bearing demand deposits.

Borrowings

The Corporation’s borrowings amounted to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019. Refer to Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed information on the Corporation’s borrowings. Also, refer to the Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Other Commitments section in this MD&A for additional information on the Corporation’s contractual obligations.

Other liabilities

The Corporation’s other liabilities amounted to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2020, an increase of $0.6 billion when compared to December 31, 2019, mainly due to an increase of $0.7 billion in unsettled purchases of debt securities.

Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity increased by $11.9 million to $6.0 billion at December 31, 2020, when compared to December 31, 2019. The change in stockholders’ equity was impacted by the net income of $506.6 million and unrealized gains on debt securities available-for-sale offset by capital transactions including an accelerated share repurchase and the redemption of 2008 Series B preferred

stock, as discussed in Note 19. Refer to the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, Comprehensive Income and of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for information on the composition of stockholders’ equity. Also, refer to Note 21 for a detail of accumulated other comprehensive loss, an integral component of stockholders’ equity.

REGULATORY CAPITAL

The Corporation and its bank subsidiaries are subject to capital adequacy standards established by the Federal Reserve Board. The risk-based capital standards applicable to Popular, Inc. and the Banks, BPPR and PB, are based on the final capital framework of Basel III. The capital rules of Basel III include a “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”) capital measure and specifies that Tier 1 capital consist of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 Capital” instruments meeting specified requirements. Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements presents further information on the Corporation’s regulatory capital requirements, including the regulatory capital ratios of its depository institutions, BPPR and PB.

An institution is considered “well-capitalized” if it maintains a total capital ratio of 10%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8%, a CET1 capital ratio of 6.5% and a leverage ratio of 5%. The Corporation’s ratios presented in Table 9 show that the Corporation was “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes, the highest classification, under Basel III for years 2016 through 2020. BPPR and PB were also well-capitalized for all years presented.

The Basel III Capital Rules also require an additional 2.5% “capital conservation buffer”, composed entirely of CET1, on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios, which excludes the leverage ratio. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. Popular, BPPR and PB are required to maintain this additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of CET1, resulting in minimum ratios of (i) CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.5%, and (iii) Total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10.5%.

Table 9 presents the Corporation’s capital adequacy information for the years 2016 through 2020.

Table 9 - Capital Adequacy Data
		At December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)			2020			2019			2018			2017			2016
Risk-based capital:
	Common Equity Tier 1 capital	$	4,992,096		$	5,121,240		$	4,631,511		$	4,226,519			4,121,208
	Additional Tier 1 Capital		22,143			-			-			-
	Tier 1 capital	$	5,014,239		$	5,121,240		$	4,631,511		$	4,226,519		$	4,121,208
	Supplementary (Tier 2) capital		759,680			737,375			722,688			758,746			748,007
	Total capital	$	5,773,919		$	5,858,615		$	5,354,199		$	4,985,265		$	4,869,215
	Total risk-weighted assets	$	30,702,091		$	28,840,368		$	27,403,718		$	25,935,696		$	25,001,334
Adjusted average quarterly assets		$	64,305,022		$	51,057,484		$	46,876,424		$	42,185,805		$	37,785,070
Ratios:
	Common Equity Tier 1 capital		16.26	%		17.76	%		16.90	%		16.30	%		16.48	%
	Tier 1 capital		16.33			17.76			16.90			16.30			16.48
	Total capital		18.81			20.31			19.54			19.22			19.48
	Leverage ratio		7.80			10.03			9.88			10.02			10.91
	Average equity to assets		9.10			11.35			11.67			12.91			14.03
	Average tangible equity to assets		8.02			10.11			10.37			11.48			12.45
	Average equity to loans		19.09			21.31			21.72			22.73			22.89

On April 1, 2020, the Corporation adopted the final rule issued by the federal banking regulatory agencies pursuant to the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 that simplified several requirements in the agencies’ regulatory capital

rules. These rules simplified the regulatory capital requirement for mortgage servicing assets (MSAs), deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences and investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions by raising the CET1 deduction threshold from 10% to 25%. The 15% CET1 deduction threshold which applies to the aggregate amount of such items was eliminated. The rule also requires, among other changes, increasing from 100% to 250% the risk weight to MSAs and temporary difference deferred tax asset not deducted from capital. For investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions, the risk weight would be based on the exposure category of the investment.

The decrease in the CET1 capital ratio, Tier 1 capital ratio, total capital ratio and leverage ratio as of December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019 was mostly due to the accelerated common stock repurchase of $500 million and the increase in risk weighted assets driven by the increase from 100% to 250% in the risk weight assets of MSAs and temporary difference deferred tax asset not deducted from capital, resulting from the adoption of the aforementioned simplification final rule, partially offset by the year’s earnings.

Pursuant to the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, the Corporation elected to use the five-year transition period option as provided in the final interim regulatory capital rules effective March 31,2020. The five-year transition period provision delays for two years the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of the capital benefits provided during the initial two-year delay.

On April 9, 2020, federal banking regulators issued an interim final rule to modify the Basel III regulatory capital rules applicable to banking organizations to allow those organizations participating in the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) to neutralize the regulatory capital effects of participating in the program. Specifically, the agencies have clarified that banking organizations, including the Corporation and its Bank subsidiaries, are permitted to assign a zero percent risk weight to PPP loans for purposes of determining risk-weighted assets and risk-based capital ratios. Additionally, in order to facilitate use of the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (the “PPPL Facility”), which provides Federal Reserve Bank loans to eligible financial institutions such as the Corporation’s Bank subsidiaries to fund PPP loans, the agencies further clarified that, for purposes of determining leverage ratios, a banking organization is permitted to exclude from total average assets PPP loans that have been pledged as collateral for a PPPL Facility. As of December 31, 2020, the Corporation has $1.3 billion in PPP loans and $1 million pledged as collateral for PPPL Facilities.

Table 10 reconciles the Corporation’s total common stockholders’ equity to common equity Tier 1 capital.

Table 10 - Reconciliation Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
		At December 31,
(In thousands)		2020			2019
Common stockholders’ equity	$	6,224,942		$	5,966,619
AOCI related adjustments due to opt-out election		(261,245)			113,155
Goodwill, net of associated deferred tax liability (DTL)		(591,931)			(596,994)
Intangible assets, net of associated DTLs		(22,466)			(28,780)
Deferred tax assets and other deductions		(357,204)			(332,763)
Common equity tier 1 capital	$	4,992,096		$	5,121,237
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets		16.26	%		17.76	%

Non-GAAP financial measures

The tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share, which are presented in the table that follows, are non-GAAP measures. Management and many stock analysts use the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share in conjunction with more traditional bank capital ratios to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, typically stemming from the use of the purchase accounting method of accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Neither tangible common equity nor tangible assets or related measures should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for stockholders’ equity, total assets or any other measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Moreover, the manner in which the Corporation

calculates its tangible common equity, tangible assets and any other related measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

Table 11 provides a reconciliation of total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Table 11 - Reconciliation Tangible Common Equity and Assets
		At December 31,
(In thousands, except share or per share information)		2020			2019
Total stockholders’ equity	$	6,028,687		$	6,016,779
Less: Preferred stock		(22,143)			(50,160)
Less: Goodwill		(671,122)			(671,122)
Less: Other intangibles		(22,466)			(28,780)
Total tangible common equity	$	5,312,956		$	5,266,717
Total assets	$	65,926,000		$	52,115,324
Less: Goodwill		(671,122)			(671,122)
Less: Other intangibles		(22,466)			(28,780)
Total tangible assets	$	65,232,412		$	51,415,422
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		8.14	%		10.24	%
Common shares outstanding at end of period		84,244,235			95,589,629
Tangible book value per common share	$	63.07		$	55.10

		Year-to-date average
Total stockholders’ equity [1]	$	5,419,938		$	5,713,517
Less: Preferred Stock		(26,277)			(50,160)
Less: Goodwill		(671,121)			(669,200)
Less: Other intangibles		(25,154)			(23,563)
Total tangible common equity	$	4,697,386		$	4,970,594
Average return on tangible common equity		10.75	%		13.43	%
[1] Average balances exclude unrealized gains or losses on debt securities available-for-sale.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS

In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation engages in financial transactions that are not recorded on the balance sheet, or may be recorded on the balance sheet in amounts that are different than the full contract or notional amount of the transaction. As a provider of financial services, the Corporation routinely enters into commitments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financial needs of its customers. These commitments may include loan commitments and standby letters of credit. These commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process used for on-balance sheet instruments. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statement of financial position. Other types of off-balance sheet arrangements that the Corporation enters in the ordinary course of business include derivatives, operating leases and provision of guarantees, indemnifications, and representation and warranties. Refer to Note 22 for a detailed discussion related to the Corporation’s obligations under credit recourse and representation and warranties arrangements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The Corporation has various financial obligations, including contractual obligations and commercial commitments, which require future cash payments on debt and lease agreements.

As previously indicated, the Corporation also enters into derivative contracts under which it is required either to receive or pay cash, depending on changes in interest rates. These contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with the fair value representing the net present value of the expected future cash receipts and payments based on market rates of interest as of the statement of condition date. The fair value of the contract changes daily as interest rates change. The Corporation may also be required to post additional collateral on margin calls on the derivatives and repurchase transactions.

At December 31, 2020, the aggregate contractual cash obligations, including borrowings, by maturities, are presented in Table 12.

Table 12 - Contractual Obligations
		Payments Due by Period
(In thousands)		Less than 1 year		1 to 3 years		3 to 5 years		After 5 years		Total
Certificates of deposits	$	4,486,877	$	1,622,562	$	1,130,140	$	68,269	$	7,307,848
Assets sold under agreement to repurchase		121,303		-		-		-		121,303
Long-term debt		50,040		443,991		231,864		499,086		1,224,981
Operating leases		34,322		47,962		40,648		51,807		174,739
Finance leases		3,897		6,894		7,290		8,850		26,931
Total contractual cash obligations	$	4,696,439	$	2,121,409	$	1,409,942	$	628,012	$	8,855,802

Under the Corporation’s repurchase agreements, Popular is required to deposit cash or qualifying securities to meet margin requirements. To the extent that the value of securities previously pledged as collateral declines because of changes in interest rates, the Corporation will be required to deposit additional cash or securities to meet its margin requirements, thereby adversely affecting its liquidity.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation’s liability on its pension, restoration and postretirement benefit plans amounted to approximately $215 million, compared with $221 million at December 31, 2019. The Corporation’s expected contributions to the pension and benefit restoration plans are minimal, while the expected contributions to the postretirement benefit plan to fund current benefit payment requirements are estimated at $6.3 million for 2021. Obligations to these plans are based on current and projected obligations of the plans, performance of the plan assets, if applicable, and any participant contributions. Refer to Note 29 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on these plans. Management believes that the effect of the pension and postretirement plans on liquidity is not significant to the Corporation’s overall financial condition. The BPPR’s non-contributory defined pension and benefit restoration plans are frozen with regards to all future benefit accruals.

At December 31, 2020, the liability for uncertain tax positions was $14.7 million, compared with $16.3 million as of the end of 2019. This liability represents an estimate of tax positions that the Corporation has taken in its tax returns which may ultimately not be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. The ultimate amount and timing of any future cash settlements is difficult to predict with reasonable certainty. Under the statute of limitations, the liability for uncertain tax positions expires as follows: 2021 - $11.3 million, 2022 - $1.1 million and 2023 - $1.1 million. Additionally, $1.4 million is not subject to the statute of limitations. As a result of examinations, the Corporation anticipates a reduction in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months, which could amount to approximately $13.6 million, including interests.

The Corporation also utilizes lending-related financial instruments in the normal course of business to accommodate the financial needs of its customers. The Corporation’s exposure to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of these instruments. The Corporation uses credit procedures and policies in making those commitments and conditional obligations as it does in extending loans to customers. Since many of the commitments expire without being drawn upon or a default occurring, the total contractual amounts are not representative of the Corporation’s actual future credit exposure or liquidity requirements for these commitments.

The following table presents the contractual amounts related to the Corporation’s off-balance sheet lending and other activities at December 31, 2020:

Table 13 - Off-Balance Sheet Lending and Other Activities
		Amount of commitment - Expiration Period
(In thousands)	2021		Years 2022 - 2023		Years 2024 - 2025		Years 2026 - thereafter		Total
Commitments to extend credit	$	8,258,033	$	798,038	$	142,469	$	90,891	$	9,289,431
Commercial letters of credit		1,864		-		-		-		1,864
Standby letters of credit		21,516		750		-		-		22,266
Commitments to originate or fund mortgage loans		96,645		141		-		-		96,786
Total	$	8,378,058	$	798,929	$	142,469	$	90,891	$	9,410,347

Refer to Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on credit commitments and contingencies.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Market / Interest Rate Risk

The financial results and capital levels of the Corporation are constantly exposed to market, interest rate and liquidity risks.

Market risk refers to the risk of a reduction in the Corporation’s capital due to changes in the market valuation of its assets and/or liabilities.

Most of the assets subject to market valuation risk are debt securities classified as available-for-sale. Refer to Notes 5 and 6 for further information on the debt securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity portfolios. Debt securities classified as available-for-sale amounted to $21.6 billion as of December 31, 2020. Other assets subject to market risk include loans held-for-sale, which amounted to $99 million, mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) which amounted to $118 million and securities classified as “trading”, which amounted to $37 million, as of December 31, 2020.

Interest Rate Risk (“IRR”)

The Corporation’s net interest income is subject to various categories of interest rate risk, including repricing, basis, yield curve and option risks. In managing interest rate risk, management may alter the mix of floating and fixed rate assets and liabilities, change pricing schedules, adjust maturities through sales and purchases of investment securities, and enter into derivative contracts, among other alternatives.

Interest rate risk management is an active process that encompasses monitoring loan and deposit flows complemented by investment and funding activities. Effective management of interest rate risk begins with understanding the dynamic characteristics of assets and liabilities and determining the appropriate rate risk position given line of business forecasts, management objectives, market expectations and policy constraints.

Management utilizes various tools to assess IRR, including Net Interest Income (“NII”) simulation modeling, static gap analysis, and Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”). The three methodologies complement each other and are used jointly in the evaluation of the Corporation’s IRR. NII simulation modeling is prepared for a five-year period, which in conjunction with the EVE analysis, provides management a better view of long-term IRR.

Net interest income simulation analysis performed by legal entity and on a consolidated basis is a tool used by the Corporation in estimating the potential change in net interest income resulting from hypothetical changes in interest rates. Sensitivity analysis is calculated using a simulation model which incorporates actual balance sheet figures detailed by maturity and interest yields or costs.

Management assesses interest rate risk by comparing various NII simulations under different interest rate scenarios that differ in direction of interest rate changes, the degree of change and the projected shape of the yield curve. For example, the types of rate scenarios processed during the quarter include flat rates, implied forwards, and parallel and non-parallel rate shocks. Management also performs analyses to isolate and measure basis and prepayment risk exposures.

The asset and liability management group perform validation procedures on various assumptions used as part of the simulation analyses as well as validations of results on a monthly basis. In addition, the model and processes used to assess IRR are subject to independent validations according to the guidelines established in the Model Governance and Validation policy.

The Corporation processes NII simulations under interest rate scenarios in which the yield curve is assumed to rise and decline by the same amount (parallel shifts). The rate scenarios considered in these market risk simulations reflect instantaneous parallel changes of -100, -200, +100, +200 and +400 basis points during the succeeding twelve-month period. Simulation analyses are based on many assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates across all yield curve points and indexes, interest rate spreads, loan prepayments and deposit elasticity. Thus, they should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Further, the estimates do not contemplate actions that management could take to respond to changes in interest rates. By their nature, these forward-looking computations are only estimates and may be different from what may actually occur in the future. The following table presents the results of the simulations at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, assuming a static balance sheet and parallel changes over flat spot rates over a one-year time horizon:

Table 14 - Net Interest Income Sensitivity (One Year Projection)
	December 31, 2020					December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount Change	Percent Change			Amount Change	Percent Change
Change in interest rate
+400 basis points	$	167,474	9.19	%	$	64,351	3.37	%
+200 basis points		81,690	4.49			32,766	1.72
+100 basis points		39,361	2.16			16,379	0.86
-100 basis points		(53,952)	(2.96)			(35,213)	(1.84)
-200 basis points		(71,517)	(3.93)			(131,874)	(6.91)

As of December 31, 2020, NII simulations show the Corporation maintains an asset sensitive position and is expected to benefit from an overall rising rate environment. The changes in sensitivity for the period are primarily driven by large deposit increases of over $13 billion along with reductions in the rates paid for deposit products. Overall, rates are now considered to be close to their “lower bound” because we currently assume, in our interest risk models, that rates will not reach negative values. This has the effect of reducing sensitivity in most products given that rates are close to zero in most curve tenors and therefore have little room to fall further in the declining rates scenarios. We would expect this “flooring” effect on sensitivity to declining rates to reverse itself if rates were to rise, because it would mean that rates would once again have more room to fall. In contrast, the sensitivity to rising rate scenarios notably increased as most of the increase in deposits remained in short-term assets and cash at the close of the quarter.

The Corporation’s loan and investment portfolios are subject to prepayment risk, which results from the ability of a third-party to repay debt obligations prior to maturity. Prepayment risk also could have a significant impact on the duration of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations since prepayments could shorten (or lower prepayments could extend) the weighted average life of these portfolios.

Table 15 - Interest Rate Sensitivity
		At December 31, 2020
		By repricing dates
(Dollars in thousands)			0-30 days		Within 31 - 90 days		After three months but within six months		After six months but within nine months		After nine months but within one year		After one year but within two years		After two years		Non-interest bearing funds		Total
Assets:
Money market investments		$	11,640,880	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	11,640,880
Investment and trading securities			1,818,381		2,588,213		784,071		862,936		854,535		3,435,958		11,122,995		386,834		21,853,923
Loans			4,941,389		2,079,245		1,343,712		1,209,007		1,239,635		5,265,158		13,562,962		(156,457)		29,484,651
Other assets			-		-		-		-		-		-		-		2,946,546		2,946,546
Total			18,400,650		4,667,458		2,127,783		2,071,943		2,094,170		8,701,116		24,685,957		3,176,923		65,926,000
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Savings, NOW and money market and
	other interest bearing demand deposits		17,598,227		828,430		1,157,540		1,063,674		978,445		3,202,224		11,601,253		-		36,429,793
Certificates of deposit			2,267,508		597,874		728,850		428,325		515,564		1,064,814		1,704,913		-		7,307,848
Federal funds purchased and assets
	sold under agreements to repurchase		71,738		39,586		9,979		-		-		-		-		-		121,303
Notes payable			1,000		-		47,000		-		2,040		104,156		1,070,785		-		1,224,981
Non-interest bearing deposits			-		-		-		-		-		-		-		13,128,699		13,128,699
Other non-interest bearing liabilities			-		-		-		-		-		-		-		1,684,689		1,684,689
Stockholders' equity			-		-		-		-		-		-		-		6,028,687		6,028,687
Total		$	19,938,473	$	1,465,890	$	1,943,369	$	1,491,999	$	1,496,049	$	4,371,194	$	14,376,951	$	20,842,075	$	65,926,000
Interest rate sensitive gap			(1,537,823)		3,201,568		184,414		579,944		598,121		4,329,922		10,309,006		(17,665,152)		-
Cumulative interest rate sensitive gap			(1,537,823)		1,663,745		1,848,159		2,428,103		3,026,224		7,356,146		17,665,152		-		-
Cumulative interest rate sensitive gap
	to earning assets		(2.45)	%	2.65	%	2.95	%	3.87	%	4.82	%	11.72	%	28.15	%	-		-

Table 16, which presents the maturity distribution of earning assets, takes into consideration prepayment assumptions.

Table 16 - Maturity Distribution of Earning Assets
		As of December 31, 2020
		Maturities
				After one year
				through five years				After five years
		One year		Fixed		Variable		Fixed interest		Variable interest
(In thousands)		or less		interest rates		interest rates		rates		rates		Total
Money market securities	$	11,640,880		-		-		-		-	$	11,640,880
Investment and trading securities		6,964,725	$	11,926,420	$	18,044	$	2,764,145	$	6,852		21,680,186
Loans:
Commercial		3,488,348		4,618,758		2,689,723		1,708,516		1,119,146		13,624,491
Construction		728,477		12,877		167,137		-		10,274		918,765
Lease financing		368,549		821,595		-		7,517		-		1,197,661
Consumer		1,715,735		2,995,186		247,122		146,600		651,694		5,756,337
Mortgage		890,422		2,951,385		149,145		3,976,529		19,916		7,987,397
Subtotal loans		7,191,531		11,399,801		3,253,127		5,839,162		1,801,030		29,484,651
Total earning assets	$	25,797,136	$	23,326,221	$	3,271,171	$	8,603,307	$	1,807,882	$	62,805,717
Note: Equity securities available-for-sale and other investment securities, including Federal Reserve Bank stock and Federal Home Loan Bank stock held by the Corporation, are not included in this table. Loans held-for-sale have been allocated according to the expected sale date.

Trading

The Corporation engages in trading activities in the ordinary course of business at its subsidiaries, BPPR and Popular Securities. Popular Securities’ trading activities consist primarily of market-making activities to meet expected customers’ needs related to its retail brokerage business, and purchases and sales of U.S. Government and government sponsored securities with the objective of realizing gains from expected short-term price movements. BPPR’s trading activities consist primarily of holding U.S. Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities classified as “trading” and hedging the related market risk with “TBA” (to-be-announced) market transactions. The objective is to derive spread income from the portfolio and not to benefit from short-term market movements. In addition, BPPR uses forward contracts or TBAs to hedge its securitization pipeline. Risks related to variations in interest rates and market volatility are hedged with TBAs that have characteristics similar to that of the forecasted security and its conversion timeline.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation held trading securities with a fair value of $37 million, representing approximately 0.1% of the Corporation’s total assets, compared with $40 million and 0.1%, respectively, at December 31, 2019. As shown in Table 17, the trading portfolio consists principally of mortgage-backed securities which at December 31, 2020 were investment grade securities. As of December 31, 2020, the trading portfolio also included $0.1 million in Puerto Rico government obligations ($0.6 million as of December 31, 2019). Trading instruments are recognized at fair value, with changes resulting from fluctuations in market prices, interest rates or exchange rates reported in current period earnings. The Corporation recognized a net trading account gain of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and a net trading account gain of $994 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Table 17 - Trading Portfolio
		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount	Weighted Average Yield^[1]			Amount	Weighted Average Yield^[1]
Mortgage-backed securities	$	24,338	5.19	%	$	28,556	5.28	%
U.S. Treasury securities		11,506	0.04			7,083	1.22
Collateralized mortgage obligations		346	5.65			606	5.72
Puerto Rico government obligations		103	0.48			633	2.60
Interest-only strips		381	12.00			440	12.05
Other		-	-			3,003	2.79
Total	$	36,674	3.64	%	$	40,321	4.42	%
[1] Not on a taxable equivalent basis.

The Corporation’s trading activities are limited by internal policies. For each of the two subsidiaries, the market risk assumed under trading activities is measured by the 5-day net value-at-risk (“VAR”), with a confidence level of 99%. The VAR measures the maximum estimated loss that may occur over a 5-day holding period, given a 99% probability.

The Corporation’s trading portfolio had a 5-day VAR of approximately $0.8 million for the last week in December 31, 2020. There are numerous assumptions and estimates associated with VAR modeling, and actual results could differ from these assumptions and estimates. Backtesting is performed to compare actual results against maximum estimated losses, in order to evaluate model and assumptions accuracy.

In the opinion of management, the size and composition of the trading portfolio does not represent a significant source of market risk for the Corporation.

Derivatives

Derivatives may be used by the Corporation as part of its overall interest rate risk management strategy to minimize significant unexpected fluctuations in earnings and cash flows that are caused by fluctuations in interest rates. Derivative instruments that the Corporation may use include, among others, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, indexed options, and forward contracts. The Corporation does not use highly leveraged derivative instruments in its interest rate risk management strategy. The Corporation enters into interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and foreign exchange contracts for the benefit of commercial customers. Credit risk embedded in these transactions is reduced by requiring appropriate collateral from counterparties and entering into netting agreements whenever possible. All outstanding derivatives are recognized in the Corporation’s consolidated statement of condition at their fair value. Refer to Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on the Corporation’s involvement in derivative instruments and hedging activities.

The Corporation’s derivative activities are entered primarily to offset the impact of market volatility on the economic value of assets or liabilities. The net effect on the market value of potential changes in interest rates of derivatives and other financial instruments is analyzed. The effectiveness of these hedges is monitored to ascertain that the Corporation is reducing market risk as expected. Derivative transactions are generally executed with instruments with a high correlation to the hedged asset or liability. The underlying index or instrument of the derivatives used by the Corporation is selected based on its similarity to the asset or liability being hedged. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, fixed and variable interest rate hedged assets and liabilities will appreciate or depreciate in fair value. The effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation is expected to be substantially offset by the Corporation’s gains or losses on the derivative instruments that are linked to these hedged assets and liabilities. Management will assess if circumstances warrant liquidating or replacing the derivatives position in the hypothetical event that high correlation is reduced. Based on the Corporation’s derivative instruments outstanding at December 31, 2020, it is not anticipated that such a scenario would have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.

Certain derivative contracts also present credit risk and liquidity risk because the counterparties may not comply with the terms of the contract, or the collateral obtained might be illiquid or become so. The Corporation controls credit risk through approvals, limits and monitoring procedures, and through master netting and collateral agreements whenever possible. Further, as applicable under the terms of the master agreements, the Corporation may obtain collateral, where appropriate, to reduce credit risk. The credit risk attributed to the counterparty’s nonperformance risk is incorporated in the fair value of the derivatives. Additionally, as required by the fair value measurements guidance, the fair value of the Corporation’s own credit standing is considered in the fair value of the derivative liabilities. For information on the gain (loss) resulting from the inclusion of the credit risk in the fair value of the derivatives, refer to Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements.

The Corporation performs appropriate due diligence and monitors the financial condition of counterparties that represent a significant volume of credit exposure. Additionally, the Corporation has exposure limits to prevent any undue funding exposure.

Cash Flow Hedges

The Corporation manages the variability of cash payments due to interest rate fluctuations by the effective use of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and that are linked to specified hedged assets and liabilities. The cash flow hedges relate to forward contracts or TBA mortgage-backed securities that are sold and bought for future settlement to hedge mortgage-backed securities and loans prior to securitization. The seller agrees to deliver on a specified future date a specified instrument at a specified price or yield. These securities are hedging a forecasted transaction and are designated for cash flow hedge accounting. The notional amount of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges at December 31, 2020 amounted to $ 189 million (2019 - $ 98 million).

Refer to Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements for additional quantitative information on these derivative contracts.

Fair Value Hedges

The Corporation did not have any derivatives designated as fair value hedges during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Trading and Non-Hedging Derivative Activities

The Corporation enters into derivative positions based on market expectations or to benefit from price differentials between financial instruments and markets mostly to economically hedge a related asset or liability. The Corporation also enters into various derivatives to provide these types of derivative products to customers. These free-standing derivatives are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded as part of the results of operations for the period.

Following is a description of the most significant of the Corporation’s derivative activities that are not designated for hedge accounting. Refer to Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements for additional quantitative and qualitative information on these derivative instruments.

The Corporation has over-the-counter option contracts which are utilized in order to limit the Corporation’s exposure on customer deposits whose returns are tied to the S&P 500 or to certain other equity securities or commodity indexes. The Corporation offers certificates of deposit with returns linked to these indexes to its retail customers, principally in connection with individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2020, these deposits amounted to $63 million (2019 - $ 67 million), or less than 1% (2019 – less than 1%) of the Corporation’s total deposits. In these certificates, the customer’s principal is guaranteed by the Corporation and insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent permitted by law. The instruments pay a return based on the increase of these indexes, as applicable, during the term of the instrument. Accordingly, this product gives customers the opportunity to invest in a product that protects the principal invested but allows the customer the potential to earn a return based on the performance of the indexes.

The risk of issuing certificates of deposit with returns tied to the applicable indexes is economically hedged by the Corporation. Indexed options are purchased from financial institutions with strong credit standings, whose return is designed to match the return payable on the certificates of deposit issued. By hedging the risk in this manner, the effective cost of these deposits is fixed. The contracts have a maturity and an index equal to the terms of the pool of retail deposits that they are economically hedging.

The purchased option contracts are initially accounted for at cost (i.e., amount of premium paid) and recorded as a derivative asset. The derivative asset is marked-to-market on a quarterly basis with changes in fair value charged to earnings. The deposits are hybrid instruments containing embedded options that must be bifurcated in accordance with the derivatives and hedging activities guidance. The initial value of the embedded option (component of the deposit contract that pays a return based on changes in the applicable indexes) is bifurcated from the related certificate of deposit and is initially recorded as a derivative liability and a corresponding discount on the certificate of deposit is recorded. Subsequently, the discount on the deposit is accreted and included as part of interest expense while the bifurcated option is marked-to-market with changes in fair value charged to earnings.

The purchased indexed options are used to economically hedge the bifurcated embedded option. These option contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting, and therefore, cannot be designated as accounting hedges. At December 31, 2020, the notional amount of the indexed options on deposits approximated $ 69 million (2019 - $ 69 million) with a fair value of $ 21 million (asset) (2019 - $ 18 million) while the embedded options had a notional value of $63 million (2019 - $ 67 million) with a fair value of $ 18 million (liability) (2019 - $ 16 million).

Refer to Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of other non-hedging derivative activities utilized by the Corporation during 2020 and 2019.

Foreign Exchange

The Corporation holds an interest in BHD León in the Dominican Republic, which is an investment accounted for under the equity method. The Corporation’s carrying value of the equity interest in BHD León approximated $153.1 million at December 31, 2020. This business is conducted in the country’s foreign currency. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment, from operations for which the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, is reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of condition, except for highly-inflationary environments in which the effects would be included in the consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2020, the Corporation had approximately $71 million in an unfavorable foreign currency translation adjustment as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), compared with an unfavorable adjustment of $ 57 million at December 31, 2019 and $ 50 million at December 31, 2018.

Liquidity

The objective of effective liquidity management is to ensure that the Corporation has sufficient liquidity to meet all of its financial obligations, finance expected future growth, fund planned capital distributions and maintain a reasonable safety margin for cash commitments under both normal and stressed market conditions. The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the Corporation’s tolerance for liquidity risk, including approving relevant risk limits and policies. The Board of Directors has delegated the monitoring of these risks to the Board’s Risk Management Committee and the Asset/Liability Management Committee. The management of liquidity risk, on a long-term and day-to-day basis, is the responsibility of the Corporate Treasury Division. The Corporation’s Corporate Treasurer is responsible for implementing the policies and procedures approved by the Board of Directors and for monitoring the Corporation’s liquidity position on an ongoing basis. Also, the Corporate Treasury Division coordinates corporate wide liquidity management strategies and activities with the reportable segments, oversees policy breaches and manages the escalation process. The Financial and Operational Risk Management Division is responsible for the independent monitoring and reporting of adherence with established policies.

An institution’s liquidity may be pressured if, for example, it experiences a sudden and unexpected substantial cash outflow due to exogenous events such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, its credit rating is downgraded, or some other event causes counterparties to avoid exposure to the institution. Factors that the Corporation does not control, such as the economic outlook, adverse ratings of its principal markets and regulatory changes, could also affect its ability to obtain funding.

Liquidity is managed by the Corporation at the level of the holding companies that own the banking and non-banking subsidiaries. It is also managed at the level of the banking and non-banking subsidiaries. As further explained below, a principal source of liquidity for the bank holding companies (the “BHCs”) are dividends received from banking and non-banking subsidiaries. The Corporation has adopted policies and limits to monitor more effectively the Corporation’s liquidity position and that of the banking subsidiaries. Additionally, contingency funding plans are used to model various stress events of different magnitudes and affecting different time horizons that assist management in evaluating the size of the liquidity buffers needed if those stress events occur. However, such models may not predict accurately how the market and customers might react to every event, and are dependent on many assumptions.

Deposits, including customer deposits, brokered deposits and public funds deposits, continue to be the most significant source of funds for the Corporation, funding 86% of the Corporation’s total assets at December 31, 2020 and 84% at December 31, 2019. The ratio of total ending loans to deposits was 52% at December 31, 2020, compared to 63% at December 31, 2019. In addition to traditional deposits, the Corporation maintains borrowing arrangements, which amounted to approximately $1.3 billion at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $1.3 billion). A detailed description of the Corporation’s borrowings, including their terms, is included in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements provide information on the Corporation’s cash inflows and outflows.

As previously mentioned, during 2020 the Corporation executed actions corresponding to its capital and liquidity strategic plans. These included the $500 million accelerated share repurchase transaction with respect to its common stock and an increase in quarterly common stock dividend from $0.30 per share to $0.40 per share. Refer to additional details of these transactions in Notes 19 - Stockholders Equity and Note 30 - Net Income Per Common Share.

The following sections provide further information on the Corporation’s major funding activities and needs, as well as the risks involved in these activities.

Banking Subsidiaries

Primary sources of funding for the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries (BPPR and PB or, collectively, “the banking subsidiaries”) include retail, commercial and public sector deposits, brokered deposits, unpledged investment securities, mortgage loan securitization and, to a lesser extent, loan sales. In addition, the Corporation maintains borrowing facilities with the FHLB and at the discount window of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “FRB”) and has a considerable amount of collateral pledged that can be used to raise funds under these facilities.

Refer to Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional information of the Corporation’s borrowing facilities available through its banking subsidiaries.

The principal uses of funds for the banking subsidiaries include loan originations, investment portfolio purchases, loan purchases and repurchases, repayment of outstanding obligations (including deposits), advances on certain serviced portfolios and operational expenses. Also, the banking subsidiaries assume liquidity risk related to collateral posting requirements for certain activities mainly

in connection with contractual commitments, recourse provisions, servicing advances, derivatives, credit card licensing agreements and support to several mutual funds administered by BPPR.

The banking subsidiaries maintain sufficient funding capacity to address large increases in funding requirements such as deposit outflows. The Corporation has established liquidity guidelines that require the banking subsidiaries to have sufficient liquidity to cover all short-term borrowings and a portion of deposits.

The Corporation’s ability to compete successfully in the marketplace for deposits, excluding brokered deposits, depends on various factors, including pricing, service, convenience and financial stability as reflected by operating results, credit ratings (by nationally recognized credit rating agencies), and importantly, FDIC deposit insurance. Although a downgrade in the credit ratings of the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries may impact their ability to raise retail and commercial deposits or the rate that it is required to pay on such deposits, management does not believe that the impact should be material. Deposits at all of the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries are federally insured (subject to FDIC limits) and this is expected to mitigate the potential effect of a downgrade in the credit ratings.

Deposits are a key source of funding as they tend to be less volatile than institutional borrowings and their cost is less sensitive to changes in market rates. Refer to Table 8 for a breakdown of deposits by major types. Core deposits are generated from a large base of consumer, corporate and public sector customers. Core deposits include all non-interest bearing deposits, savings deposits and certificates of deposit under $100,000, excluding brokered deposits with denominations under $100,000. Core deposits have historically provided the Corporation with a sizable source of relatively stable and low-cost funds. Core deposits totaled $ 51.7 billion, or 91% of total deposits, at December 31, 2020, compared with $38.8 billion, or 89% of total deposits, at December 31, 2019. Core deposits financed 82% of the Corporation’s earning assets at December 31, 2020, compared with 80% at December 31, 2019.

The distribution by maturity of certificates of deposits with denominations of $100,000 and over at December 31, 2020 is presented in the table that follows:

Table 18 - Distribution by Maturity of Certificate of Deposits of $100,000 and Over
(In thousands)
3 months or less	$	2,390,610
3 to 6 months		285,597
6 to 12 months		484,180
Over 12 months		1,229,761
Total	$	4,390,148

Average deposits, including brokered deposits, for the year ended December 31, 2020 represented 91% of average earning assets, compared with 94% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Table 19 summarizes average deposits for the past five years.

Table 19 - Average Total Deposits
			For the years ended December 31,
(In thousands)			2020		2019		2018		2017		2016
Non-interest bearing demand deposits		$	11,537,700	$	8,872,897	$	8,790,314	$	7,338,455	$	6,607,639
Savings accounts			12,620,755		10,425,345		9,621,162		8,268,969		7,528,057
NOW, money market and other interest bearing demand accounts			19,466,357		15,159,364		12,516,921		9,958,772		7,024,810
Certificates of deposit			7,960,967		7,761,190		7,559,024		7,616,326		7,905,504
	Total interest bearing deposits		40,048,079		33,345,899		29,697,107		25,844,067		22,458,371
	Total average deposits	$	51,585,779	$	42,218,796	$	38,487,421	$	33,182,522	$	29,066,010

The Corporation had $ 0.8 billion in brokered deposits at December 31, 2020, which financed approximately 1% of its total assets (December 31, 2019 - $0.5 billion and 1%, respectively). In the event that any of the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries’ regulatory capital ratios fall below those required by a well-capitalized institution or are subject to capital restrictions by the regulators, that banking subsidiary faces the risk of not being able to raise or maintain brokered deposits and faces limitations on the rate paid on deposits, which may hinder the Corporation’s ability to effectively compete in its retail markets and could affect its deposit raising efforts.

Deposits from the public sector represent an important source of funds for the Corporation. As of December 31, 2020, total public sector deposits were $15.1 billion, compared to $10.6 billion at December 31, 2019. Generally, these deposits require that the bank pledge high credit quality securities as collateral; therefore liquidity risks arising from public sector deposit outflows are lower given that the bank receives its collateral in return. This, now unpledged, collateral can either be financed via repurchase agreements or sold for cash. However, there are some timing differences between the time the deposit outflow occurs and when the bank receives its collateral.

At December 31, 2020, management believes that the banking subsidiaries had sufficient current and projected liquidity sources to meet their anticipated cash flow obligations, as well as special needs and off-balance sheet commitments, in the ordinary course of business and have sufficient liquidity resources to address a stress event. Although the banking subsidiaries have historically been able to replace maturing deposits and advances, no assurance can be given that they would be able to replace those funds in the future if the Corporation’s financial condition or general market conditions were to deteriorate. The Corporation’s financial flexibility will be severely constrained if the banking subsidiaries are unable to maintain access to funding or if adequate financing is not available to accommodate future financing needs at acceptable interest rates. The banking subsidiaries also are required to deposit cash or qualifying securities to meet margin requirements. To the extent that the value of securities previously pledged as collateral declines because of market changes, the Corporation will be required to deposit additional cash or securities to meet its margin requirements, thereby adversely affecting its liquidity. Finally, if management is required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources to meet its future growth, revenues may not increase proportionately to cover costs. In this case, profitability would be adversely affected.

Bank Holding Companies

The principal sources of funding for the BHCs, which are Popular, Inc. (holding company only) and PNA, include cash on hand, investment securities, dividends received from banking and non-banking subsidiaries, asset sales, credit facilities available from affiliate banking subsidiaries and proceeds from potential securities offerings. Dividends from banking and non-banking subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory limits and authorization requirements that are further described below and that may limit the ability of those subsidiaries to act as a source of funding to the BHCs.

The principal use of these funds includes the repayment of debt, and interest payments to holders of senior debt and junior subordinated deferrable interest (related to trust preferred securities), the payment of dividends to common stockholders and capitalizing its banking subsidiaries.

The BHCs have in the past borrowed in the money markets and in the corporate debt market primarily to finance their non-banking subsidiaries; however, the cash needs of the Corporation’s non-banking subsidiaries other than to repay indebtedness and interest are now minimal. These sources of funding have become more costly due to the Corporation’s principal credit rating being below “investment grade”, which affects the Corporation’s ability to raise funds in the capital markets. The Corporation has an automatic

shelf registration statement filed and effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which permits the Corporation to issue an unspecified amount of debt or equity securities.

The outstanding balance of notes payable at the BHCs amounted to $682 million at December 31, 2020 and $680 million at December 31, 2019.

The contractual maturities of the BHCs notes payable at December 31, 2020 are presented in Table 20.

Table 20 - Distribution of BHC's Notes Payable by Contractual Maturity

Year		(In thousands)
2023		296,574
Later years		384,929
Total	$	681,503

Annual debt service at the BHCs is approximately $44 million, and the Corporation’s latest quarterly dividend was $0.40 per share. The BHCs liquidity position continues to be adequate with sufficient cash on hand, investments and other sources of liquidity which are expected to be enough to meet all BHCs obligations during the foreseeable future. As of December 31, 2020, the BHCs had cash and money markets investments totaling $191 million, borrowing potential of $153 million from its secured facility with BPPR. In addition to these liquidity sources, the stake in EVERTEC had a market value of $458 million as of December 31, 2020 and it represents an additional source of contingent liquidity.

Non-Banking Subsidiaries

The principal sources of funding for the non-banking subsidiaries include internally generated cash flows from operations, loan sales, repurchase agreements, capital injections and borrowed funds from their direct parent companies or the holding companies. The principal uses of funds for the non-banking subsidiaries include repayment of maturing debt, operational expenses and payment of dividends to the BHCs. The liquidity needs of the non-banking subsidiaries are minimal since most of them are funded internally from operating cash flows or from intercompany borrowings or capital contributions from their holding companies. During 2020, Popular Securities received capital contributions amounting to $10 million from Popular, Inc.

Dividends

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation declared quarterly dividends on its outstanding common stock of $0.40 per share, for a year-to-date total of $ 136.6 million. The dividends for the Corporation’s Series A and Series B preferred stock amounted to $1.8 million. On February 24, 2020, the Corporation redeemed all the outstanding shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock. Refer to Note 19 for additional information. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the BHC’s received dividends amounting to $578 million from BPPR, $13 million from PIBI which main source of income is derived from its investment in BHD, $8 million in dividends from its non-banking subsidiaries and $2 million in dividends from EVERTEC. Dividends from BPPR constitute Popular, Inc.’s primary source of liquidity.

Other Funding Sources and Capital

The debt securities portfolio provides an additional source of liquidity, which may be realized through either securities sales or repurchase agreements. The Corporation’s debt securities portfolio consists primarily of liquid U.S. government debt securities, U.S. government sponsored agency debt securities, U.S. government sponsored agency mortgage-backed securities, and U.S. government sponsored agency collateralized mortgage obligations that can be used to raise funds in the repo markets. The availability of the repurchase agreement would be subject to having sufficient unpledged collateral available at the time the transactions are to be consummated, in addition to overall liquidity and risk appetite of the various counterparties. The Corporation’s unpledged debt securities amounted to $3.4 billion at December 31, 2020 and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2019. A substantial portion of these debt securities could be used to raise financing in the U.S. money markets or from secured lending sources.

Additional liquidity may be provided through loan maturities, prepayments and sales. The loan portfolio can also be used to obtain funding in the capital markets. In particular, mortgage loans and some types of consumer loans, have secondary markets which the Corporation could use.

Financial information of guarantor and issuers of registered guaranteed securities

The Corporation (not including any of its subsidiaries, “PIHC”) is the parent holding company of Popular North America “PNA” and has other subsidiaries through which it conducts its financial services operations. PNA is an operating, 100% subsidiary of Popular, Inc. Holding Company (“PIHC”) and is the holding company of its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Equity One, Inc. and Popular Bank, including Popular Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Popular Equipment Finance, Inc., Popular Insurance Agency, U.S.A., and E-LOAN, Inc.

As described in Note 17, Trust Preferred Securities, PNA has issued junior subordinated debentures guaranteed by PIHC (together with PNA, the “obligor group”) purchased by statutory trusts established by the Corporation. These debentures were purchased by the statutory trust using the proceeds from trust preferred securities issued to the public (referred to as “capital securities”), together with the proceeds of the related issuances of common securities of the trusts.

PIHC fully and unconditionally guarantees the junior subordinated debentures issued by PNA. PIHC’s obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts to the holders of the applicable capital securities or by causing the applicable trust to pay such amounts to such holders. Each guarantee does not apply to any payment of distributions by the applicable trust except to the extent such trust has funds available for such payments. If PIHC does not make interest payments on the debentures held by such trust, such trust will not pay distributions on the applicable capital securities and will not have funds available for such payments. PIHC’s guarantee of PNA’s junior subordinated debentures is unsecured and ranks subordinate and junior in right of payment to all the PIHC’s other liabilities in the same manner as the applicable debentures as set forth in the applicable indentures; and equally with all other guarantees that the PIHC issues. The guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection, which means that the guaranteed party may sue the guarantor to enforce its rights under the respective guarantee without suing any other person or entity.

The principal sources of funding for PIHC and PNA have included dividends received from their banking and non-banking subsidiaries, asset sales and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity. As further described below, in the Risk to Liquidity section, various statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends an insured depository institution may pay to its holding company without regulatory approval.

The following summarized financial information presents the financial position of the obligor group, on a combined basis at December 31, 2020 and the results of their operations for the period ended December 31, 2020. Investments in and equity in the earnings from the other subsidiaries and affiliates that are not members of the obligor group have been excluded.

The summarized financial information of the obligor group is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the obligor group eliminated. The obligor group's amounts due from, amounts due to and transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates have been presented in separate line items, if they are material. In addition, related parties transactions are presented separately.

Table 21 - Summarized Statement of Condition

(In thousands)		December 31, 2020
Assets
Cash and money market investments	$	190,830
Investment securities		27,630
Accounts receivables from non-obligor subsidiaries		16,338
Other loans (net of allowance for credit losses of $311)		31,162
Investment in equity method investees		88,272
Other assets		46,547
Total assets	$	400,779
Liabilities and Stockholders' deficit
Accounts payable to non-obligor subsidiaries	$	3,946
Accounts payable to affiliates and related parties		977
Notes payable		681,503
Other liabilities		79,208
Stockholders' deficit		(364,855)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$	400,779

Table 22 - Summarized Statement of Operations

(In thousands)		December 31, 2020
Income:
Dividends from non-obligor subsidiaries	$	586,000
Interest income from non-obligor subsidiaries and affiliates		2,383
Earnings from investments in equity method investees		17,912
Other operating income		4,340
Total income	$	610,635
Expenses:
Services provided by non-obligor subsidiaries and affiliates (net of reimbursement by subsidiaries for services provided by parent of $138,729)	$	13,191
Other operating expenses		29,652
Total expenses	$	42,843
Net income	$	567,792

Obligor group received dividend distributions from its direct equity method investees amounting to $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and dividend distributions from a non-obligor subsidiary amounting to $12.5 million which was recorded as a reduction to the investment.

Risks to Liquidity

Total lines of credit outstanding are not necessarily a measure of the total credit available on a continuing basis. Some of these lines could be subject to collateral requirements, standards of creditworthiness, leverage ratios and other regulatory requirements, among other factors. Derivatives, such as those embedded in long-term repurchase transactions or interest rate swaps, and off-balance sheet exposures, such as recourse, performance bonds or credit card arrangements, are subject to collateral requirements. As their fair value increases, the collateral requirements may increase, thereby reducing the balance of unpledged securities.

The importance of the Puerto Rico market for the Corporation is an additional risk factor that could affect its financing activities. In the case of a deterioration in economic and fiscal conditions in Puerto Rico, the credit quality of the Corporation could be affected and result in higher credit costs. Refer to the Geographic and Government Risk section of this MD&A for some highlights on the current status of the Puerto Rico economy and the ongoing fiscal crisis.

Factors that the Corporation does not control, such as the economic outlook and credit ratings of its principal markets and regulatory changes, could also affect its ability to obtain funding. In order to prepare for the possibility of such scenario, management has adopted contingency plans for raising financing under stress scenarios when important sources of funds that are usually fully available are temporarily unavailable. These plans call for using alternate funding mechanisms, such as the pledging of certain asset classes and accessing secured credit lines and loan facilities put in place with the FHLB and the FRB.

The credit ratings of Popular’s debt obligations are a relevant factor for liquidity because they impact the Corporation’s ability to borrow in the capital markets, its cost and access to funding sources. Credit ratings are based on the financial strength, credit quality and concentrations in the loan portfolio, the level and volatility of earnings, capital adequacy, the quality of management, geographic concentration in Puerto Rico, the liquidity of the balance sheet, the availability of a significant base of core retail and commercial deposits, and the Corporation’s ability to access a broad array of wholesale funding sources, among other factors.

Furthermore, various statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends an insured depository institution may pay to its holding company without regulatory approval. A member bank must obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board for any dividend, if the total of all dividends declared by the member bank during the calendar year would exceed the total of its net income for that year, combined with its retained net income for the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus or to a fund for the retirement of any preferred stock. In addition, a member bank may not declare or pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits as reported in its Report of Condition and Income, unless the member bank has received the approval of the Federal Reserve Board. A member bank also may not permit any portion of its permanent capital to be withdrawn unless the withdrawal has been approved by the Federal Reserve Board. Pursuant to these requirements, PB may not declare or pay a dividend without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board and the NYSDFS. The ability of a bank subsidiary to up-stream dividends to its BHC could thus be impacted by its financial performance, thus potentially limiting the amount of cash moving up to the BHCs from the banking subsidiaries. This could, in turn, affect the BHCs ability to declare dividends on its outstanding common and preferred stock, for example. Popular, Inc. received $578 million in dividends from BPPR during year ended December 31, 2020 and its ability to continue receiving dividends from BPPR will depend on such banking subsidiary’s financial condition and results of operation.

The Corporation’s banking subsidiaries have historically not used unsecured capital market borrowings to finance its operations, and therefore are less sensitive to the level and changes in the Corporation’s overall credit ratings.

Obligations Subject to Rating Triggers or Collateral Requirements

The Corporation’s banking subsidiaries currently do not use borrowings that are rated by the major rating agencies, as these banking subsidiaries are funded primarily with deposits and secured borrowings. The banking subsidiaries had $9 million in deposits at December 31, 2020 that are subject to rating triggers.

In addition, certain mortgage servicing and custodial agreements that BPPR has with third parties include rating covenants. In the event of a credit rating downgrade, the third parties have the right to require the institution to engage a substitute cash custodian for escrow deposits and/or increase collateral levels securing the recourse obligations. Also, as discussed in Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Corporation services residential mortgage loans subject to credit recourse provisions. Certain contractual agreements require the Corporation to post collateral to secure such recourse obligations if the institution’s required credit ratings are not maintained. Collateral pledged by the Corporation to secure recourse obligations amounted to approximately $50 million at December 31, 2020. The Corporation could be required to post additional collateral under the agreements. Management expects that it would be able to meet additional collateral requirements if and when needed. The requirements to post collateral under certain agreements or the loss of escrow deposits could reduce the Corporation’s liquidity resources and impact its operating results.

Credit Risk

Geographic and Government Risk

The Corporation is exposed to geographic and government risk. The Corporation’s assets and revenue composition by geographical area and by business segment reporting are presented in Note 33 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

A significant portion of our financial activities and credit exposure is concentrated in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the “Commonwealth” or “Puerto Rico”), which faces severe economic and fiscal challenges.

COVID-19 Pandemic

On December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) surfaced in Wuhan, China and has since spread globally to other countries and jurisdictions, including the mainland United States and Puerto Rico. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The pandemic has significantly disrupted and negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, created significant volatility in financial markets, and increased unemployment levels worldwide, including in the markets in which we do business. In Puerto Rico, former Governor Wanda Vázquez issued an executive order on March 15, 2020 declaring a health emergency, ordering residents to shelter in place, implementing a mandatory curfew, and requiring the closure of all businesses, except for businesses that provide essential services, including banking and financial institutions with respect to certain services. While many of the restrictions have been gradually lifted, a mandatory curfew is still in effect and most businesses have had to make significant adjustments to protect customers and employees, including transitioning to telework and suspending or modifying certain operations in compliance with health and safety guidelines.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have an adverse effect on economic activity in Puerto Rico in the long-term will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and is difficult to predict, including the scope and duration of the pandemic, the restrictions imposed by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the same and the amount of federal and local assistance offered to offset the impact of the pandemic. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions taken by governments in response to the same have had a material adverse effect on economic activity worldwide, including in Puerto Rico, and there can be no assurance that measures taken by governmental authorities will be sufficient to offset the pandemic’s economic impact.

In response to the pandemic, on April 2020 the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly enacted legislation requiring financial institutions to offer moratoriums on consumer financial products to clients impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through June 2020. In the case of mortgage loans, the moratorium period was extended through August 2020. The Federal Government has also approved several economic stimulus measures, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) that seek to cushion the economic fallout of the pandemic, including expanding eligibility for unemployment benefits and guaranteeing through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) loans to small and medium businesses.

For a discussion of the impact of the pandemic on the Corporation’s operations and financial results during 2020, refer to the MD&A Significant Events section, on the accompanying financial statements. For additional discussion of risk factors related to the impact of the pandemic, see “Part I – Item 1A – Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K. For information regarding the projections of the 2020 Fiscal Plan (defined below) with respect to the impact of the pandemic, see Fiscal Plans, Commonwealth Fiscal Plan, below.

Economic Performance

The Commonwealth’s economy entered a recession in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006 and its gross national product (“GNP”) contracted (in real terms) every fiscal year between 2007 and 2018, with the exception of fiscal year 2012. Pursuant to the latest Puerto Rico Planning Board (the “Planning Board”) estimates, dated June 2020, the Commonwealth’s real GNP for fiscal years 2017 and 2018 decreased by 3.2% and 4.2%, respectively. The Planning Board estimates that real GNP increased approximately 1.5% in fiscal year 2019 due to the influx of federal funds and private insurance payments to repair damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and María, and that it decreased approximately -5.4% in fiscal year 2020 due primarily to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken by the government in response to the same. Finally, the Planning Board projected that the

negative effects of COVID-19 would continue through fiscal year 2021, resulting in a contraction in real GNP of approximately -2% in the current fiscal year.

Fiscal Crisis

The Commonwealth remains in the midst of a profound fiscal crisis affecting the central government and many of its instrumentalities, public corporations and municipalities. This fiscal crisis has been primarily the result of economic contraction, persistent and significant budget deficits, a high debt burden, unfunded legacy obligations, and lack of access to the capital markets, among other factors. As a result of the crisis, the Commonwealth and certain of its instrumentalities have been unable to make debt service payments on their outstanding bonds and notes since 2016. The escalating fiscal and economic crisis and imminent widespread defaults prompted the U.S. Congress to enact the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”) in June 2016. As further discussed below under “Pending Title III Proceedings,” the Commonwealth and several of its instrumentalities are currently in the process of restructuring their debts through the debt restructuring mechanisms provided by PROMESA.

PROMESA

PROMESA, among other things, created a seven-member federally-appointed oversight board (the “Oversight Board”) with ample powers over the fiscal and economic affairs of the Commonwealth, its public corporations, instrumentalities and municipalities and established two mechanisms for the restructuring of the obligations of such entities. Pursuant to PROMESA, the Oversight Board will remain in place until market access is restored and balanced budgets, in accordance with modified accrual accounting, are produced for at least four consecutive years. In August 2016, President Obama appointed the seven voting members of the Oversight Board through the process established in PROMESA, which authorizes the President to select the members from several lists required to be submitted by congressional leaders and which process was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The terms of the original Oversight Board members expired in August 2019, but PROMESA allows members to remain in their roles until their successors have been appointed. All of the original members continued to serve on the Oversight Board on holdover status until 2020, when President Donald Trump reappointed three of the original members and appointed four new members to the Oversight Board.

In October 2016, the Oversight Board designated the Commonwealth and all of its public corporations and instrumentalities as “covered entities” under PROMESA. The only Commonwealth government entities that were not subject to such initial designation were the Commonwealth’s municipalities. In May 2019, however, the Oversight Board designated all of the Commonwealth’s municipalities as covered entities. At the Oversight Board’s request, covered entities are required to submit fiscal plans and annual budgets to the Oversight Board for its review and approval. They are also required to seek Oversight Board approval to issue, guarantee or modify their debts and to enter into contracts with an aggregate value of $10 million or more. Finally, covered entities are potentially eligible to avail themselves of the debt restructuring processes provided by PROMESA.

Fiscal Plans

Commonwealth Fiscal Plan. The Oversight Board has certified several fiscal plans for the Commonwealth since 2017. The most recent fiscal plan for the Commonwealth certified by the Oversight Board is dated May 27, 2020 (the “2020 Fiscal Plan”). In January 2021, however, the Oversight Board established a schedule for a proposed revision to the 2020 Fiscal Plan to incorporate new information regarding Puerto Rico’s macroeconomic environment and government revenues and expenditures and to incorporate the impact of expenses related to the potential certification of a plan of adjustment for the Commonwealth under Title III of PROMESA. Pursuant to the schedule, the Governor is required to submit a proposed updated fiscal plan to the Oversight Board by February 20, 2021, and the Oversight Board expects to certify a revised updated fiscal plan by April 23, 2021.

The 2020 Fiscal Plan estimates that the economy of Puerto Rico will contract by 4% in real terms in fiscal year 2020, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a limited recovery of 0.5% in fiscal year 2021. The 2020 Fiscal Plan estimates that this economic contraction will exacerbate the Commonwealth government’s fiscal challenges. As a result of these changes, the 2020 Fiscal Plan projects that the Commonwealth will have a pre-contractual debt service deficit each year through 2025 if the measures and structural reforms contemplated by the plan are not successfully implemented. It estimates that the proposed fiscal measures and structural reforms will drive approximately $10 billion in savings and extra revenue through 2025 and a cumulative 0.88% increase in

growth by fiscal year 2049. However, even after the fiscal measures and structural reforms, and before contractual debt service, the 2020 Fiscal Plan’s projections reflect an annual deficit starting in fiscal year 2032.

The 2020 Fiscal Plan provides for the gradual reduction and the ultimate elimination of Commonwealth budgetary subsidies to municipalities, which constitute a material portion of the operating revenues of certain municipalities. Since fiscal year 2017, Commonwealth appropriations to municipalities have been reduced by approximately 64% (from approximately $370 million in fiscal year 2017 to approximately $132 million in fiscal year 2020). In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the 2020 Fiscal Plan provided for a one-year pause on reductions to appropriations to municipalities. Accordingly, appropriations to municipalities for fiscal year 2021 remained at $132 million, rather than declining by $44 million as contemplated by the prior fiscal plan. In addition, the Governor signed an executive order that adopts the “Strategic Plan for Disbursement” of the $2.2 billion allocated to Puerto Rico by the Coronavirus Relief Fund created by the Federal Government through the CARES Act. Such plan assigns $100 million to municipalities for eligible expenses related to COVID-19. The 2020 Fiscal Plan contemplates additional reductions in appropriations to municipalities starting in fiscal year 2022, before eventually phasing out all appropriations in fiscal year 2025. The 2020 Fiscal Plan notes that municipalities have made little or no progress towards implementing fiscal discipline required to reduce reliance on Commonwealth appropriations and better address the impact of declining populations and that, as currently operating, many municipalities are not fiscally sustainable.

Other Fiscal Plans. Pursuant to PROMESA, the Oversight Board has also requested and certified fiscal plans for several public corporations and instrumentalities. The certified fiscal plan for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), Puerto Rico’s electric power utility, contemplated the transformation of Puerto Rico’s electric system through, among other things, the establishment of a public-private partnership with respect to PREPA’s transmission and distribution system, and calls for significant structural reforms at PREPA. The procurement process for the establishment of a public-private partnership with respect to PREPA’s transmission and distribution system (the “T&D System”) was completed in June 2020. The selected proponent, LUMA Energy LLC (“LUMA”), and PREPA entered into a 15-year agreement whereby LUMA will be responsible for operating, maintaining and modernizing the T&D System.

On June 26, 2020, the Oversight Board certified a fiscal plan (the “CRIM Fiscal Plan”) for the Municipal Revenue Collection Center (“CRIM”), the government entity responsible for collecting property taxes and distributing them among the municipalities. The CRIM Fiscal Plan outlines a series of measures centered around improving the competitiveness of Puerto Rico’s property tax regime and the enhancement of property tax collections, including identifying and appraising new properties as well as improvements to existing properties, and implementing operational and technological initiatives.

Pending Title III Proceedings

On May 3, 2017, the Oversight Board, on behalf of the Commonwealth, filed a petition in the U.S. District Court to restructure the Commonwealth’s liabilities under Title III of PROMESA. The Oversight Board has subsequently filed analogous petitions with respect to the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (“COFINA”), the Employees Retirement System of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (“ERS”), the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority, PREPA and the Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority (“PBA”). On February 12, 2019, the government completed a restructuring of COFINA’s debts pursuant to a plan of adjustment confirmed by the U.S. District Court. On September 27, 2019, the Oversight Board filed a plan of adjustment for the Commonwealth, ERS and PBA in the pending debt restructuring proceedings under Title III of PROMESA. On February 9, 2020, the Oversight Board announced that it had reached a new agreement with certain bondholders on a new framework for a plan of adjustment and, on February 28, 2020, the Oversight Board filed an amended plan of adjustment reflecting such new agreement. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Oversight Board requested that the court adjourn proceedings related to the Proposed Plan of Adjustment so as to allow for the Government and the Oversight Board to prioritize the health and safety of the people of Puerto Rico and to gain a better understanding of the economic and fiscal impact of the pandemic. The Oversight Board, the Government and certain creditors of the Commonwealth recently resumed negotiations on the economic terms of a proposed plan of adjustment under a court-ordered mediation. On February 23, 2021, the Oversight Board and certain creditors of the Commonwealth announced that they executed a new plan support agreement, which establishes the terms of a proposed plan of adjustment. The Title III court set March 8, 2021 as the deadline for the filing of the new proposed plan of adjustment by the Oversight Board.

PROMESA Adversary Proceeding

In 2019, the Oversight Board commenced an adversary proceeding against the Commonwealth seeking to invalidate Act 29-2019 (“Act 29”), which eliminated the obligation of municipalities to contribute to the Commonwealth’s health plan and pay-as-you-go retirement system, on the grounds that Act 29 was inconsistent with the Commonwealth’s fiscal plan. On April 15, 2020, the Judge ruled in favor of the Oversight Board and declared Act 29 “unenforceable and of no effect.” Judge Swain delayed the effective date of the opinion and order for three weeks, through May 6, 2020, to provide time for the Government and the Oversight Board to agree on a mechanism for the reimbursement to the Commonwealth of approximately $166 million and $32 million, respectively, on account of retirement and health plan obligations due by municipalities as a result of the invalidation of Act 29. Subsequent to the Court’s decision, the Oversight Board, the Government and CRIM, which is the entity primarily responsible for the collection of property taxes for the municipalities, made various proposals to resolve the immediate fiscal impact of Act 29’s invalidation. On May 6, 2020, the Government filed a motion informing the Court that CRIM had agreed to accept a proposal by the Oversight Board to reverse a $132 million transfer from the Commonwealth to the municipalities in the Commonwealth’s fiscal year 2020 budget (to be allocated among municipalities) to offset the approximately $198 million obligation of municipalities for the health plan and pay-as-you go retirement system payments for fiscal year 2020. The remaining $66 million would have to be repaid by municipalities by the end of fiscal year 2022 from other sources of revenue. There continue to be differences between the Government and the Oversight Board as to the calculation of the municipalities obligation for the health plan and retirement system payments, as well as to long-term solutions to the fiscal consequences to the municipalities of Act 29’s invalidation. The effect of the court’s decision and the implementation of the offset proposal described above on municipal finances is likely to vary significantly across municipalities.

Seismic Activity

On January 7, 2020, Puerto Rico was struck by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake, which caused island-wide power outages and significant damage to infrastructure and property in the southwest region of the island. The 6.4 earthquake was preceded by foreshocks and followed by aftershocks. The Commonwealth’s government estimates total earthquake-related damages at approximately $1 billion.

Exposure of the Corporation

The credit quality of BPPR’s loan portfolio reflects, among other things, the general economic conditions in Puerto Rico and other adverse conditions affecting Puerto Rico consumers and businesses. The effects of the prolonged recession have been reflected in limited loan demand, an increase in the rate of foreclosures and delinquencies on loans granted in Puerto Rico. While PROMESA provides a process to address the Commonwealth’s fiscal crisis, the length and complexity of the Title III proceedings for the Commonwealth and various of its instrumentalities and the adjustment measures required by the fiscal plans present significant economic risks. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak has affected many of our individual customers and customers’ businesses. This, when added to Puerto Rico’s ongoing fiscal crisis and recession, could cause credit losses that adversely affect us and may negatively affect consumer confidence, result in reductions in consumer spending, and adversely impact our interest and non-interest revenues. If global or local economic conditions worsen or the Government of Puerto Rico and the Oversight Board are unable to adequately manage the Commonwealth’s fiscal and economic challenges, including by controlling the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and consummating an orderly restructuring of the Commonwealth’s debt obligations while continuing to provide essential services, these adverse effects could continue or worsen in ways that we are not able to predict.

At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Corporation’s direct exposure to the Puerto Rico government’s instrumentalities and municipalities totaled $377 million and $432 million, respectively, which amounts were fully outstanding on such dates. On July 1, 2020 the Corporation received principal payments amounting to $58 million from various obligations from Puerto Rico municipalities. Further deterioration of the Commonwealth’s fiscal and economic situation could adversely affect the value of our Puerto Rico government obligations, resulting in losses to us. Of the amount outstanding, $342 million consists of loans and $35 million are securities ($391 million and $41 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019). Substantially all of the amount outstanding at December 31, 2020 were obligations from various Puerto Rico municipalities. In most cases, these were “general obligations” of a municipality, to which the applicable municipality has pledged its good faith, credit and unlimited taxing power, or “special obligations” of a municipality, to which the applicable municipality has pledged other revenues. At December 31, 2020, 74% of the Corporation’s exposure to municipal loans and securities was concentrated in the municipalities of San Juan, Guaynabo, Carolina and Bayamón. For additional discussion of the Corporation’s direct exposure to the Puerto Rico government and its instrumentalities and municipalities, refer to Note 23 – Commitments and Contingencies.

In addition, at December 31, 2020, the Corporation had $317 million in loans insured or securities issued by Puerto Rico governmental entities, but for which the principal source of repayment is non-governmental ($350 million at December 31, 2019). These included $260 million in residential mortgage loans insured by the Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority (“HFA”), a governmental instrumentality that has been designated as a covered entity under PROMESA (December 31, 2019 - $276 million). These mortgage loans are secured by first mortgages on Puerto Rico residential properties and the HFA insurance covers losses in the event of a borrower default and upon the satisfaction of certain other conditions. The Corporation also had, at December 31, 2020, $46 million in bonds issued by HFA which are secured by second mortgage loans on Puerto Rico residential properties, and for which HFA also provides insurance to cover losses in the event of a borrower default, and upon the satisfaction of certain other conditions (December 31, 2019 - $46 million). In the event that the mortgage loans insured by HFA and held by the Corporation directly or those serving as collateral for the HFA bonds default and the collateral is insufficient to satisfy the outstanding balance of this loans, HFA’s ability to honor its insurance will depend, among other factors, on the financial condition of HFA at the time such obligations become due and payable. The Corporation does not consider the government guarantee when estimating the credit losses associated with this portfolio. Although the Governor is currently authorized by local legislation to impose a temporary moratorium on the financial obligations of the HFA, a moratorium on such obligations has not been imposed as of the date hereof. In addition, at December 31, 2020, the Corporation had $11 million of commercial real estate notes issued by government entities but that are payable from rent paid by non-governmental parties (December 31, 2019 - $21 million). On January 1, 2020, the Corporation received a payment amounting to $7 million upon the maturity of securities issued by HFA which had been economically defeased and refunded and for which securities consisting of U.S. agencies and Treasury obligations had been escrowed (December 31, 2019 - $7 million).

BPPR’s commercial loan portfolio also includes loans to private borrowers who are service providers, lessors, suppliers or have other relationships with the government. These borrowers could be negatively affected by the fiscal measures to be implemented to address the Commonwealth’s fiscal crisis and the ongoing Title III proceedings under PROMESA described above. Similarly, BPPR’s mortgage and consumer loan portfolios include loans to current and former government employees which could also be negatively affected by fiscal measures such as employee layoffs or furloughs or reductions in pension benefits.

BPPR also has a significant amount of deposits from the Commonwealth, its instrumentalities, and municipalities. The amount of such deposits may fluctuate depending on the financial condition and liquidity of such entities, as well as on the ability of BPPR to maintain these customer relationships.

The Corporation may also have direct exposure with regards to avoidance and other causes of action initiated by the Oversight Board on behalf of the Commonwealth or other Title III debtors. For additional information regarding such exposure, refer to Note 23 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

United States Virgin Islands

The Corporation has operations in the United States Virgin Islands (the “USVI”) and has credit exposure to USVI government entities.

The USVI has been experiencing a number of fiscal and economic challenges, which have been and maybe be further exacerbated as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and which could adversely affect the ability of its public corporations and instrumentalities to service their outstanding debt obligations. PROMESA does not apply to the USVI and, as such, there is currently no federal legislation permitting the restructuring of the debts of the USVI and its public corporations and instrumentalities.

To the extent that the fiscal condition of the USVI continues to deteriorate, the U.S. Congress or the Government of the USVI may enact legislation allowing for the restructuring of the financial obligations of USVI government entities or imposing a stay on creditor remedies, including by making PROMESA applicable to the USVI.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation’s direct exposure to USVI instrumentalities and public corporations amounted to approximately $105 million, of which $70 million is outstanding (compared to $71 million and $67 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019). Of the amount outstanding, approximately (i) $43 million represents loans to the West Indian Company LTD, a government-owned company that owns and operates a cruise ship pier and shopping mall complex in St. Thomas, (ii) $20 million represents loans to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, a public corporation of the USVI that operates USVI’s water production and electric generation plants, (iii) $3 million represents loans to the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority (“VI PFA” ), a

public corporation of the USVI created for the purpose of raising capital for public projects and (iv) $4 million in loans to the Virgin Islands Porth Authority (compared to $42 million, $17 million, $8 million, and $0, respectively, at December 31, 2019). The increase in the exposure to the VI PFA from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020 is due to the purchase by BPPR of $30 million of Series 2020A-1 Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes of the VI PFA in December 2020, which are secured by a statutory lien on income taxes real property taxes and, on a subordinated basis, gross receipt taxes.

British Virgin Islands

The Corporation has operations in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), which has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as a reduction in the tourism activity which accounts for a significant portion of its economy. Although the Corporation has no significant exposure to a single borrower in the BVI, it has a loan portfolio amounting to approximately $251 million comprised of various retail and commercial clients, including a loan of approximately $19 million with the government of the BVI (compared to $258 million and $22 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2019).

U.S. Government

As further detailed in Notes 5 and 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, a substantial portion of the Corporation’s investment securities represented exposure to the U.S. Government in the form of U.S. Government sponsored entities, as well as agency mortgage-backed and U.S. Treasury securities. In addition, $1.8 billion of residential mortgages, $1.3 billion of SBA loans under the PPP program and $60 million commercial loans were insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies at December 31, 2020 (compared to $1.1 billion, $0 and $66 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019).

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) include primarily past-due loans that are no longer accruing interest, renegotiated loans, and real estate property acquired through foreclosure. A summary, including certain credit quality metrics, is presented in Table 23.

The Corporation adopted the CECL accounting standard effective January 1, 2020. This framework requires management to estimate credit losses over the full remaining expected life of the loan using economic forecasts over a reasonable and supportable period, and historical information thereafter.

The year 2020 was impacted by the unprecedented events that have unfolded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding, the Corporation’s credit quality remained stable, aided by payment deferrals and government stimulus measures instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial relief granted to eligible borrowers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, comprised mainly of payment deferrals of up to six months, largely ended during the third quarter of 2020. Management continues to closely follow macroeconomic conditions and although the outlook indicates improvements, the full effects of the pandemic and the pace of the recovery remains uncertain. The improvement over the last few years in the risk profile of the Corporation’s loan portfolios positions Popular to operate successfully under the ongoing challenging environment. We will continue to carefully monitor the exposure of the portfolios to the COVID-19 pandemic related risks, changes in the economic outlook of the regions in which Popular operates and how delinquencies and NCOs evolve.

Total NPAs increased by $174 million when compared with December 31, 2019. Total non-performing loans held-in-portfolio increased by $210 million from December 31, 2019, impacted by the adoption of the CECL methodology during the first quarter of 2020. Following existing accounting guidance, purchased credit impaired (“PCI’) loans were excluded from non-performing status due to the estimation of cash flows at the pool level. Under CECL, these loans are accounted for on an individual loan basis under PCD accounting methodology and are no longer excluded from non-performing status. BPPR’s NPLs increased by $201 million, mostly related to the PCI loans transition impact of $260 million, while Popular Bank’s NPLs increased by $9 million. Excluding this impact, BPPR’s NPLs decreased by $59 million, mainly due to lower commercial and consumer (mostly auto) NPLs of $56 million and $21 million, respectively. The decrease in commercial NPLs was mostly related to loans charged-off during the period, combined with payment activity. The decrease in the consumer NPLs was mostly related to auto loans, aided by payment deferrals, government stimulus measures and the resumption of collection efforts. These NPLs reductions were in part offset by the addition of a $22 million construction relationship. Popular Bank’s NPLs increase of $9 million was mostly driven by a $9 million construction NPL inflow during the third quarter of 2020, related to a single borrower from the New York region. At December 31, 2020, the ratio

of NPLs to total loans held-in-portfolio was 2.5% compared to 1.9% at the end of 2019. In addition, non-performing loans-held-for-sale (“LHFS’) increased by $3 million, driven by taxi medallion loans, and other real estate owned loans (“OREOs”) decreased by $39 million, mostly due to the suspension of foreclosure activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At December 31, 2020, NPLs secured by real estate amounted to $630 million in the Puerto Rico operations and $34 million in PB. These figures were $406 million and $26 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019.

The Corporation’s commercial loan portfolio secured by real estate (“CRE”) amounted to $7.8 billion at December 31, 2020, of which $1.9 billion was secured with owner occupied properties, compared with $7.7 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2019. CRE NPLs amounted to $173 million at December 31, 2020, compared with $113 million at December 31, 2019. The CRE NPL ratios for the BPPR and PB segments were 4.51% and 0.07%, respectively, at December 31, 2020, compared with 2.88% and 0.07%, respectively, at December 31, 2019.

In addition to the NPLs included in Table 23, at December 31, 2020, there were $228 million of performing loans, mostly commercial loans, which in management’s opinion, are currently subject to potential future classification as non-performing and are considered impaired (December 31, 2019 - $207 million).

For the year ended December 31, 2020, total inflows of NPLs held-in-portfolio, excluding consumer loans, increased by $123 million, or 42%, when compared to the inflows for the same period in 2019. As further explained below, at December 31, 2020, 94% of loans, after excluding government guaranteed loans, for which the COVID-19 moratoriums had expired were current on their payments. Inflows of NPLs held-in-portfolio at the BPPR segment increased by $89 million, or 32%, compared to the year ended 2019, driven by higher mortgage inflows by $87 million, mostly due to the delinquency progression at the expiration of the payment moratorium. Inflows of NPLs held-in-portfolio at the PB segment increased by $35 million, or 173%, from the same period in 2019, mostly due to higher mortgage and construction inflows of $18 million and $9 million, respectively. The construction increase was driven by the single borrower mentioned above.

Table 23 - Non-Performing Assets
	December 31, 2020						December 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)		BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular, Inc.		BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular, Inc.		BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular, Inc.
Non-accrual loans:
Commercial ^[1]	$	204,092	$	4,477	$	208,569	$	147,255	$	3,505	$	150,760	$	182,950	$	1,076	$	184,026
Construction		21,497		7,560		29,057		119		26		145		1,788		12,060		13,848
Legacy^[2]		-		1,511		1,511		-		1,999		1,999		-		2,627		2,627
Leasing		3,441		-		3,441		3,657		-		3,657		3,313		-		3,313
Mortgage^[1]		414,343		14,864		429,207		283,708		11,091		294,799		323,565		11,033		334,598
Consumer ^[1]		57,004		8,985		65,989		64,461		12,020		76,481		56,482		16,193		72,675
Total non-performing loans held-in-portfolio		700,377		37,397		737,774		499,200		28,641		527,841		568,098		42,989		611,087
Non-performing loans held-for-sale^[3]		-		2,738		2,738		-		-		-		-		-		-
Other real estate owned ("OREO")		81,512		1,634		83,146		120,011		2,061		122,072		134,063		2,642		136,705
Total non-performing assets	$	781,889	$	41,769	$	823,658	$	619,211	$	30,702	$	649,913	$	702,161	$	45,631	$	747,792
Accruing loans past-due 90 days or more^{[4] [5]}	$	1,028,061	$	3	$	1,028,064	$	460,133	$	-	$	460,133	$	612,543	$	-	$	612,543
Non-performing loans to loans held-in-portfolio						2.51	%					1.93	%					2.31	%
Interest lost					$	45,040					$	29,469					$	35,170
[1] The increase in non-accrual loans during 2020 includes the initial impact of $278 million related to the adoption of CECL on the portfolio of previously purchased credit deteriorated loans. This included mortgage loans for $133 million, commercial loans for $131 million and $14 million in consumer loans.
[2] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the PB reportable segment.
[3] There were $3 million in non-performing commercial loans held-for-sale as of December 31, 2020 and none for the years December 31, 2019 and 2018.
[4] The carrying value of loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 that are contractually 90 days or more past due was $153 million at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018 - $216 million). This amount is excluded from the above table as the loans’ accretable yield interest recognition is independent from the underlying contractual loan delinquency status.
[5] It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. The balance of these loans includes $57 million at December 31, 2020 related to the rebooking of loans previously pooled into GNMA securities, in which the Corporation had a buy-back option as further described below (December 31, 2019 - $103 million; December 31, 2018 - $134 million). Under the GNMA program, issuers such as BPPR have the option but not the obligation to repurchase loans that are 90 days or more past due. For accounting purposes, these loans subject to the repurchase option are required to be reflected (rebooked) on the financial statements of BPPR with an offsetting liability. While the borrowers for our serviced GNMA portfolio benefited from the moratorium, the delinquency status of these loans continued to be reported to GNMA without considering the moratorium. These balances include $329 million of residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $213 million; December 31, 2018 - $283 million). Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately $60 million in reverse mortgage loans which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of the loans, it is the Corporation's policy to exclude these balances from non-performing assets (December 31, 2019 - $65 million; December 31, 2018 - $69 million).

Table 23 (continued) - Non-Performing Assets
	December 31, 2017						December 31, 2016
(Dollars in thousands)		BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular, Inc.		BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular, Inc.
Non-accrual loans:
Commercial	$	161,226	$	3,839	$	165,065	$	159,655	$	3,693	$	163,348
Legacy^[1]		-		3,039		3,039		-		3,337		3,337
Leasing		2,974		-		2,974		3,062		-		3,062
Mortgage		306,697		14,852		321,549		318,194		11,713		329,907
Consumer		40,543		17,787		58,330		51,597		6,664		58,261
Total non-performing loans held-in-portfolio, excluding covered loans		511,440		39,517		550,957		532,508		25,407		557,915
Other real estate owned ("OREO"), excluding covered OREO		167,253		2,007		169,260		177,412		3,033		180,445
Total non-performing assets, excluding covered assets	$	678,693	$	41,524	$	720,217	$	709,920	$	28,440	$	738,360
Covered loans and OREO^[3]		22,948		-		22,948		36,044		-		36,044
Total non-performing assets	$	701,641	$	41,524	$	743,165	$	745,964	$	28,440	$	774,404
Accruing loans past-due 90 days or more^{[4] [5]}	$	1,225,149	$	-	$	1,225,149	$	426,652	$	-	$	426,652
Excluding covered loans:^[6]
Non-performing loans to loans held-in-portfolio						2.27	%					2.45	%
Including covered loans:
Non-performing loans to loans held-in-portfolio						2.23	%					2.41	%
Interest lost					$	29,920					$	29,385
[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the PB reportable segment.
[2] There were no non-performing loans held-for-sale at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
[3] The amount consists of $3 million in non-performing loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-20 and $20 million in covered OREO at December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $4 million and $32 million, respectively). It excludes covered loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analyses.
[4] The carrying value of loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 that are contractually 90 days or more past due was $153 million at December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $282 million). This amount is excluded from the above table as the loans’ accretable yield interest recognition is independent from the underlying contractual loan delinquency status.
[5] It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These balances include $178 million of residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $181 million). Furthermore, the Corporation has approximately $58 million in reverse mortgage loans which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest. Due to the guaranteed nature of the loans, it is the Corporation's policy to exclude these balances from non-performing assets (December 31, 2016 - $68 million).
[6] These asset quality ratios have been adjusted to remove the impact of covered loans. Appropriate adjustments to the numerator and denominator have been reflected in the calculation of these ratios. Management believes the inclusion of acquired loans in certain asset quality ratios that include non-performing assets, past due loans or net charge-offs in the numerator and denominator results in distortions of these ratios and they may not be comparable to other periods presented or to other portfolios that were not impacted by purchase accounting.

Table 24 - Activity in Non-Performing Loans Held-in-Portfolio (Excluding Consumer Loans)

			For the year ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)				BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular, Inc.
Beginning balance			$	431,082	$	16,621	$	447,703
Transition of PCI to PCD loans under CECL				245,703		18,547		264,250
Plus:
		New non-performing loans		362,786		54,092		416,878
		Advances on existing non-performing loans		-		825		825
Less:
		Non-performing loans transferred to OREO		(11,762)		-		(11,762)
		Non-performing loans charged-off		(44,675)		(3,204)		(47,879)
		Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections		(343,202)		(47,790)		(390,992)
		Loans transferred to held-for-sale		-		(10,679)		(10,679)
Ending balance NPLs^[1]			$	639,932	$	28,412	$	668,344
[1]	Includes $1.5 million of NPLs related to the legacy portfolio.

Table 25 - Activity in Non-Performing Loans Held-in-Portfolio (Excluding Consumer Loans)

			For the year ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)				BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular, Inc.
Beginning balance			$	508,303	$	26,796	$	535,099
Plus:
		New non-performing loans		274,135		19,651		293,786
		Advances on existing non-performing loans		-		501		501
Less:
		Non-performing loans transferred to OREO		(32,481)		(601)		(33,082)
		Non-performing loans charged-off		(59,191)		(4,825)		(64,016)
		Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections		(254,847)		(14,867)		(269,714)
		Non-performing loans sold		(4,837)		(10,034)		(14,871)
Ending balance NPLs^[1]			$	431,082	$	16,621	$	447,703
[1]	Includes $2.0 million of NPLs related to the legacy portfolio.

Table 26 - Activity in Non-Performing Commercial Loans Held-In-Portfolio

		For the year ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)		BPPR	Popular U.S.	Popular, Inc.
Beginning balance - NPLs		$147,255	$3,505	$150,760
Transition of PCI to PCD loans under CECL		112,517	18,547	131,064
Plus:
	New non-performing loans	50,834	15,496	66,330
	Advances on existing non-performing loans	-	228	228
Less:
	Non-performing loans transferred to OREO	(2,304)	-	(2,304)
	Non-performing loans charged-off	(23,755)	(1,646)	(25,401)
	Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections	(80,455)	(20,974)	(101,429)
	Loans transferred to held-for-sale	-	(10,679)	(10,679)
Ending balance - NPLs		$204,092	$4,477	$208,569

Table 27 - Activity in Non-Performing Commercial Loans Held-in-Portfolio

		For the year ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)		BPPR	Popular U.S.	Popular, Inc.
Beginning balance - NPLs		$182,950	$1,076	$184,026
Plus:
	New non-performing loans	71,063	7,564	78,627
	Advances on existing non-performing loans	-	80	80
Less:
	Non-performing loans transferred to OREO	(7,692)	-	(7,692)
	Non-performing loans charged-off	(33,562)	(2,074)	(35,636)
	Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections	(60,667)	(3,141)	(63,808)
	Non-performing loans sold	(4,837)	-	(4,837)
Ending balance - NPLs		$147,255	$3,505	$150,760

Table 28 - Activity in Non-Performing Construction Loans Held-In-Portfolio

		For the year ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)		BPPR	Popular U.S.	Popular, Inc.
Beginning balance - NPLs		$119	$26	$145
Plus:
	New non-performing loans	21,514	9,069	30,583
Less:
	Non-performing loans charged-off	-	(1,509)	(1,509)
	Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections	(136)	(26)	(162)
Ending balance - NPLs		$21,497	$7,560	$29,057

Table 29 - Activity in Non-Performing Construction Loans Held-in-Portfolio

		For the year ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)		BPPR	Popular U.S.	Popular, Inc.
Beginning balance - NPLs		$1,788	$12,060	$13,848
Plus:
	Advances on existing non-performing loans	-	215	215
Less:
	Non-performing loans charged-off	-	(2,215)	(2,215)
	Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections	(1,669)	-	(1,669)
	Non-performing loans sold	-	(10,034)	(10,034)
Ending balance - NPLs		$119	$26	$145

Table 30 - Activity in Non-Performing Mortgage Loans Held-in-Portfolio

		For the year ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)		BPPR	Popular U.S.	Popular, Inc.
Beginning balance - NPLs		$283,708	$11,091	$294,799
Transition of PCI to PCD loans under CECL		133,186	-	133,186
Plus:
	New non-performing loans	290,438	29,527	319,965
	Advances on existing non-performing loans	-	192	192
Less:
	Non-performing loans transferred to OREO	(9,458)	-	(9,458)
	Non-performing loans charged-off	(20,920)	(49)	(20,969)
	Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections	(262,611)	(25,897)	(288,508)
Ending balance - NPLs		$414,343	$14,864	$429,207

Table 31 - Activity in Non-Performing Mortgage Loans Held-in-Portfolio

		For the year ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)		BPPR	Popular U.S.	Popular, Inc.
Beginning balance - NPLs		$323,565	$11,033	$334,598
Plus:
	New non-performing loans	203,072	11,877	214,949
	Advances on existing non-performing loans	-	158	158
Less:
	Non-performing loans transferred to OREO	(24,789)	(601)	(25,390)
	Non-performing loans charged-off	(25,629)	(539)	(26,168)
	Loans returned to accrual status / loan collections	(192,511)	(10,837)	(203,348)
Ending balance - NPLs		$283,708	$11,091	$294,799

Loan Delinquencies

Another key measure used to evaluate and monitor the Corporation’s asset quality is loan delinquencies. Loans delinquent 30 days or more and delinquencies, as a percentage of their related portfolio category at December 31, 2020 and 2019, are presented below.

Table 32 - Loan Delinquencies

(Dollars in thousands)			2020							2019
		Loans delinquent 30 days or more		Total loans		Total delinquencies as a percentage of total loans			Loans delinquent 30 days or more		Total loans		Total delinquencies as a percentage of total loans
Commercial		$	247,961	$	13,606,280		1.82	%	$	231,692	$	12,312,751		1.88	%
Construction			50,369		918,765		5.48			1,700		831,092		0.20
Legacy			1,523		15,473		9.84			2,056		22,105		9.30
Leasing			14,009		1,197,661		1.17			18,724		1,059,507		1.77
Mortgage ^[1]			1,775,902		7,890,680		22.51			1,299,443		7,183,532		18.09
Consumer			179,789		5,756,337		3.12			249,987		5,997,886		4.17
Loans held-for-sale			3,108		99,455		3.13			-		59,203		-
Total		$	2,272,661	$	29,484,651		7.71	%	$	1,803,602	$	27,466,076		6.57	%
[1]	At December 31, 2020, mortgage loans 90 days or more past due included approximately $1.0 billion which were insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) (December 31, 2019 - $441 million).

Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”)

The Corporation adopted the new CECL accounting standard effective on January 1, 2020. The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”), represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses through the remaining contractual life of the different loan segments, impacted by expected prepayments. The ACL is maintained at a sufficient level to provide for estimated credit losses on collateral dependent loans as well as troubled debt restructurings separately from the remainder of the loan portfolio. The Corporation’s management evaluates the adequacy of the ACL on a quarterly basis. In this evaluation, management considers current conditions, macroeconomic economic expectations through a reasonable and supportable period, historical loss experience, portfolio composition by loan type and risk characteristics, results of periodic credit reviews of individual loans, and regulatory requirements, amongst other factors.

The Corporation must rely on estimates and exercise judgment regarding matters where the ultimate outcome is unknown, such as economic developments affecting specific customers, industries or markets. Other factors that can affect management’s estimates are recalibration of statistical models used to calculate lifetime expected losses, changes in underwriting standards, financial accounting standards and loan impairment measurements, among others. Changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, in economic conditions, and in the condition of the various markets in which collateral may be sold, may also affect the required level of the allowance for loan losses. Consequently, the business financial condition, liquidity, capital and results of operations could also be affected. Refer to Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies included in this Form 10-K for a description of the Corporation’s allowance for credit losses methodology.

At December 31, 2020, the allowance for credit losses amounted to $896 million, an increase of $419 million, when compared with December 31, 2019, mostly related to the CECL adoption impact in the first quarter of 2020 of $315 million (“Day 1 impact”) in the allowance for credit losses related to loans. Excluding such Day 1 impact, the ACL increase was mainly attributable to the significant change in the macroeconomic conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The BPPR ACL increased by $307 million to $740 million. The PB segment increased by $111 million to $157 million, when compared to December 31, 2019. The provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $282.3 million, increasing by $116.6 million from the same period in the prior year. Refer to Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies and Note 8 – Allowance for credit losses included in this Form 10-K for additional information.

The following table presents net charge-offs to average loans held-in-portfolio (“HIP”) ratios by loan category for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:


Table 33 - Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans HIP

	December 31, 2020						December 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
	BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular Inc.		BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular Inc.		BPPR		Popular U.S.		Popular Inc.
Commercial	0.21	%	(0.04)	%	0.11	%	0.48	%	0.65	%	0.54	%	0.91	%	0.44	%	0.73	%
Construction	(0.57)		0.04		(0.07)		(2.82)		0.32		(0.11)		(1.54)		0.71		0.49
Leasing	0.66		-		0.66		0.94		-		0.94		0.70		-		0.70
Legacy	-		(0.39)		(0.39)		-		(5.85)		(5.85)		-		(6.89)		(6.89)
Mortgage	0.32		-		0.27		0.67		0.05		0.59		1.05		(0.05)		0.93
Consumer	2.44		3.07		2.48		2.42		3.27		2.49		2.64		3.68		2.74
Total	0.85	%	0.13	%	0.66	%	1.06	%	0.68	%	0.96	%	1.31	%	0.61	%	1.13	%

NCOs for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $186.4 million, decreasing by $71.0 million when compared to the same period in 2019. The BPPR segment decreased by $33.6 million mainly driven by lower mortgage and commercial NCOs by $21.7 million and $17.8 million, respectively, due to the effect of the pandemic relief programs, partially offset by higher consumer NCOs by $5.8 million. The PB segment decreased by $37.4 million, mainly driven by lower commercial NCOs by $33.6 million, as the prior year included charge-offs from the taxi medallion portfolio. The Corporation continues to be attentive to changes in delinquencies and NCOs, as most deferrals expired during the third quarter of 2020 and given the uncertainty around the outlook of the pandemic.

Table 34 - Allowance for Credit Losses - Loan Portfolios
December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial			Construction				Legacy ^[1]		Leasing		Mortgage			Consumer			Total
Total ACL	$	332,269		$	13,955		$	1,393	$	16,863		$	215,716		$	316,054		$	896,250
Total loans held-in-portfolio	$	13,606,280		$	918,765		$	15,473	$	1,197,661		$	7,890,680		$	5,756,337		$	29,385,196
ACL to loans held-in-portfolio		2.44	%		1.52	%		9.00	%	1.41	%		2.73	%		5.49	%		3.05	%
[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the
Corporation as part of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the Popular U.S. reportable segment.

Table 35 - Allowance for Credit Losses - Loan Portfolios
December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial			Construction				Legacy ^[1]		Leasing		Mortgage			Consumer			Total
Specific ALLL	$	20,533		$	6		$	-	$	61		$	42,804		$	21,822		$	85,226
Impaired loans	$	399,549		$	119		$	-	$	507		$	531,855		$	100,791		$	1,032,821
Specific ALLL to impaired loans		5.14	%		5.04	%		-	%	12.03	%		8.05	%		21.65	%		8.25	%
General ALLL	$	126,519		$	4,772		$	630	$	10,707		$	78,304		$	171,550		$	392,482
Loans held-in-portfolio, excluding impaired loans	$	11,913,202		$	830,973		$	22,105	$	1,059,000		$	6,651,677		$	5,897,095		$	26,374,052
General ALLL to loans held-in-portfolio, excluding impaired loans		1.06	%		0.57	%		2.85	%	1.01	%		1.18	%		2.91	%		1.49	%
Total ALLL	$	147,052		$	4,778		$	630	$	10,768		$	121,108		$	193,372		$	477,708
Total non-covered loans held-in-portfolio	$	12,312,751		$	831,092		$	22,105	$	1,059,507		$	7,183,532		$	5,997,886		$	27,406,873
ALLL to loans held-in-portfolio		1.19	%		0.57	%		2.85	%	1.02	%		1.69	%		3.22	%		1.74	%
[1] The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the
Corporation as part of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the Popular U.S. reportable segment.

Table 36 details the breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by loan categories. The breakdown is made for analytical purposes, and it is not necessarily indicative of the categories in which future loan losses may occur.

Table 36 - Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans
At December 31,
	2020			2019			2018			2017			2016
		% of loans			% of loans			% of loans			% of loans			% of loans
		in each			in each			in each			in each			in each
		category to			category to			category to			category to			category to
(Dollars in millions)	ACL	total loans		ACL	total loans		ACL	total loans		ACL	total loans		ACL	total loans
Commercial	$332.3	46.3	%	$147.0	44.9	%	$239.1	45.5	%	$215.7	47.3	%	$202.7	47.4	%
Construction	14.0	3.1		4.8	3.0		7.4	2.9		8.4	3.6		9.5	3.4
Legacy	1.4	0.1		0.6	0.1		1.0	0.1		0.8	0.2		1.3	0.2
Leasing	16.9	4.1		10.8	3.9		11.5	3.5		12.0	3.3		7.7	3.1
Mortgage	215.7	26.8		121.1	26.2		147.4	27.3		163.6	29.9		147.9	29.4
Consumer	316.0	19.6		193.4	21.9		162.9	20.7		189.7	15.7		141.2	16.5
Total^[1]	$896.3	100.0	%	$477.7	100.0	%	$569.3	100.0	%	$590.2	100.0	%	$510.3	100.0	%
[1] Note: For purposes of this table the term loans refers to loans held-in-portfolio excluding covered loans and held-for-sale.

Troubled debt restructurings

The Corporation’s troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) loans amounted to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2020, increasing by $81 million, or approximately 5.08%, from December 31, 2019, mainly due to borrowers that needed additional loss mitigation alternatives, beyond the 6-month moratorium period granted under the COVID-19 program. TDRs in the BPPR segment increased by $82 million, mostly related to higher mortgage TDRs by $56 million, of which $30 million were related to government guaranteed loans, coupled with a combined increase of $35 million in the commercial and construction TDRs, mainly due to a $21 million construction loan, partially offset by a decrease of $9 million in the consumer portfolio. The PB segment decreased by $2 million from the prior year. TDRs in accruing status increased by $61 million from December 31, 2019, mostly related to BPPR mortgage TDRs, while non-accruing TDRs increased by $20 million.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, since March 2020 the Corporation has entered into loan modifications with eligible customers in mortgage, personal loans, credit cards, auto loans and leases and certain commercial credit facilities, comprised mainly of payment deferrals of up to six months, subject to certain terms and conditions. In addition, certain participating clients impacted by the seismic activity in the Southern region of the island also benefitted from other loan payment moratoriums offered by the Corporation since mid-January 2020. These loan modifications do not affect the asset quality measures as the deferred payments are not deemed to be delinquent and the Corporation continues to accrue interest on these loans. The Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly enacted legislation in April 2020 that required financial institutions to offer through June 2020 moratoriums on consumer financial products to clients impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and in July 2020 extended the relief with respect to mortgage products through August 2020. Additionally, the CARES Act, signed by the President of the United States as part of an economic stimulus package, provides relief related to U.S. GAAP requirements for loan modifications related to COVID-19 relief measures. This relief was subsequently extended until the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the national COVID-19 emergency ends. In addition, the Federal Reserve, along with other U.S. banking regulators, also issued interagency guidance to financial institutions that offers some practical expedients for evaluating whether loan modifications that occur in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are TDRs. According to the interagency guidance, COVID-19 related short-term modifications (i.e., six months or less) granted to consumer or commercial loans that were current as of the date of the loan modification are not TDRs, since the lender can conclude that the borrower is current on their loan and thus not experiencing financial difficulties and furthermore the period of the deferral granted does not represent a more than insignificant concession on the part of the lender. In addition, a modification or deferral program that is mandated by the federal government or a state government (e.g., a state program that requires all institutions within that state to suspend mortgage payments for a specified period) does not represent a TDR. Out of the approximately $8.3 billion in loans modified under this program, approximately $35 million have been classified as TDRs. In making this determination, the Corporation considered the criteria of whether the borrower was in financial difficulty at the time of the deferral and whether the deferral period was more than insignificant.

At December 31, 2020, $7.8 billion, or 97%, of COVID-19 payment deferrals had expired. After excluding government guaranteed loans, 115,079 of remaining loans, or 94%, with an aggregate book value of $6.9 billion were current on their payments as of December 31, 2020. Loans considered current exclude those loans for which the COVID-19 related modification has expired but have subsequently been subject to other loss mitigation alternatives. The Corporation will continue to monitor and assess the post-moratorium payment behavior of these borrowers to recognize any deterioration in these loans, and potential loss exposure, in a timely manner. Refer to Table 37 for a breakdown of loan modifications completed by the Corporation as part of the COVID-19 relief measures as of December 31, 2020.

Table 37 - COVID-Related Moratoriums

Loan portfolio affected by COVID-related moratoriums	Total Moratoriums Granted					Active Moratoriums
Loan portfolio affected by COVID-related moratoriums	Loan count	Book Value (In thousands)		Percentage by portfolio		Loan count	Book Value (In thousands)		Percentage by portfolio
Mortgage	24,378	$	2,862,684	36.3	%	4,248	$	442,329	5.6	%
Auto loans	48,819		790,798	25.2	%	-		-	-	%
Lease financing	10,803		365,198	30.5	%	-		-	-	%
Credit cards	19,615		96,045	10.4	%	-		-	-	%
Other consumer loans	23,502		307,746	18.1	%	91		1,077	0.1	%
Commercial	5,099		3,880,818	26.7	%	20		61,634	0.4	%
Total	132,216	$	8,303,289	28.3	%	4,359	$	505,040	1.7	%

Refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on modifications considered TDRs, including certain qualitative and quantitative data about TDRs performed in the past twelve months.

Enterprise Risk Management

The Corporation’s Board of Directors has established a Risk Management Committee (“RMC”) to, among other things, assist the Board in its (i) oversight of the Corporation’s overall risk framework and (ii) to monitor, review, and approve policies to measure, limit and manage the Corporation’s risks.

The Corporation has established a three lines of defense framework: (a) business line management constitutes the first line of defense by identifying and managing the risks associated with business activities, (b) components of the Risk Management Group and the Corporate Security Group, among others, act as the second line of defense by, among other things, measuring and reporting on the Corporation’s risk activities, and (c) the Corporate Auditing Division, as the third line of defense, reporting directly to the Audit Committee of the Board, by independently providing assurance regarding the effectiveness of the risk framework.

The Enterprise Risk Management Committee (the “ERM Committee”) is a management committee whose purpose is to: (a) monitor the principal risks as defined in the Risk Appetite Statement (“RAS”) of the Risk Management Policy affecting our business and within the Corporation’s Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) framework, (b) review key risk indicators and related developments at the business level consistent with the RAS, and (c) lead the incorporation of a uniform Governance, Risk and Compliance framework across the Corporation. The ERM Committee and the Market Risk Unit in the Financial and Operational Risk Management Division (the “FORM Division”), in coordination with the Chief Risk Officer, create the framework to identify and manage multiple and cross-enterprise risks, and to articulate the RAS and supporting metrics. Our risk management program monitors the following principal risks: credit, interest rate, market, liquidity, operational, cyber and information security, legal, regulatory affairs, regulatory and financial compliance, financial crimes compliance, strategic and reputational.

The Market Risk Unit has established a process to ensure that an appropriate standard readiness assessment is performed before we launch a new product or service. Similar procedures are followed with the Treasury Division for transactions involving the purchase and sale of assets, and by the Mergers and Acquisitions Division for acquisition transactions.

The Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”), composed of senior management representatives from the business lines and corporate functions, and the Corporate Finance Group, are responsible for planning and executing the Corporation’s market, interest rate risk, funding activities and strategy, as well as for implementing approved policies and procedures. The ALCO also reviews the Corporation’s capital policy and the attainment of the capital management objectives. In addition, the Market Risk Unit independently measures, monitors and reports compliance with liquidity and market risk policies, and oversees controls surrounding interest risk measurements.

The Corporate Compliance Committee, comprised of senior management team members and representatives from the Regulatory and Financial Compliance Division, the Financial Crimes Compliance Division and the Corporate Risk Services Division, among others, are responsible for overseeing and assessing the adequacy of the risk management processes that underlie Popular’s compliance program for identifying, assessing, measuring, monitoring, testing, mitigating, and reporting compliance risks. They also supervise Popular’s reporting obligations under the compliance program so as to ensure the adequacy, consistency and timeliness of the reporting of compliance-related risks across the Corporation.

The Regulatory Affairs team is responsible for maintaining an open dialog with the banking regulatory agencies in order to ensure regulatory risks are properly identified, measured, monitored, as well as communicated to the appropriate regulatory agency as necessary to keep them apprised of material matters within the purview of these agencies.

The Credit Strategy Committee, composed of senior level management representatives from the business lines and corporate functions, and the Corporate Credit Risk Management Division, are responsible for managing the Corporation’s overall credit exposure by establishing policies, standards and guidelines that define, quantify and monitor credit risk and assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

The Corporation’s Operational Risk Committee (“ORCO”) and the Cyber Security Committee, which are composed of senior level management representatives from the business lines and corporate functions, provide executive oversight to facilitate consistency of effective policies, best practices, controls and monitoring tools for managing and assessing all types of operational risks across the Corporation. The FORM Division, within the Risk Management Group, serves as ORCO’s operating arm and is responsible for establishing baseline processes to measure, monitor, limit and manage operational risk.

The Corporate Security Group (“CSG”), under the direction of the Chief Security Officer, leads all efforts pertaining to cybersecurity, enterprise fraud and data privacy, including developing strategies and oversight processes with policies and programs that mitigate compliance, operational, strategic, financial and reputational risks associated with the Corporation’s and our customers’ data and assets. The CSG also leads the Cyber Security Committee.

The Corporate Legal Division, in this context, has the responsibility of assessing, monitoring, managing and reporting with respect to legal risks, including those related to litigation, investigations and other material legal matters.

The processes of strategic risk planning and the evaluation of reputational risk are on-going processes through which continuous data gathering and analysis are performed. In order to ensure strategic risks are properly identified and monitored, the Corporate Strategic Planning Division performs periodic assessments regarding corporate strategic priority initiatives as well as emerging issues. The Acquisitions and Corporate Investments Division continuously assesses potential strategic transactions. The Corporate Communications Division is responsible for the monitoring, management and implementation of action plans with respect to reputational risk issues.

Popular’s capital planning process integrates the Corporation’s risk profile as well as its strategic focus, operating environment, and other factors that could materially affect capital adequacy in hypothetical highly-stressed business scenarios. Capital ratio targets and triggers take into consideration the different risks evaluated under Popular’s risk management framework.

In addition to establishing a formal process to manage risk, our corporate culture is also critical to an effective risk management function. Through our Code of Ethics, the Corporation provides a framework for all our employees to conduct themselves with the highest integrity.

ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Refer to Note 3, “New Accounting Pronouncements” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Statistical Summary 2016-2020

Statements of Financial Condition

				At December 31,
(In thousands)				2020		2019		2018		2017		2016
Assets:
Cash and due from banks				$	491,065	$	388,311	$	394,035	$	402,857	$	362,394
Money market investments:
		Securities purchased under agreements to resell			-		-		-		-		23,637
		Time deposits with other banks			11,640,880		3,262,286		4,171,048		5,255,119		2,866,580
		Total money market investments			11,640,880		3,262,286		4,171,048		5,255,119		2,890,217
Trading account debt securities, at fair value					36,674		40,321		37,787		33,926		52,034
Debt securities available-for-sale, at fair value					21,561,152		17,648,473		13,300,184		10,176,923		8,207,684
Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost					92,621		97,662		101,575		107,019		111,299
		Less – Allowance for credit losses			10,261		-		-		-		-
		Debt securities held-to-maturity, net			82,360		97,662		101,575		107,019		111,299
Equity securities					173,737		159,887		155,584		165,103		164,513
Loans held-for-sale, at lower of cost or fair value					99,455		59,203		51,422		132,395		88,821
Loans held-in-portfolio:
		Loans not covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC			29,588,430		27,587,856		26,663,713		24,423,427		22,895,172
		Loans covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC			-		-		-		517,274		572,878
		Less – Unearned income			203,234		180,983		155,824		130,633		121,425
			Allowance for loan losses		896,250		477,708		569,348		623,426		540,651
		Total loans held-in-portfolio, net			28,488,946		26,929,165		25,938,541		24,186,642		22,805,974
FDIC loss-share asset					-		-		-		45,192		69,334
Premises and equipment, net					510,241		556,650		569,808		547,142		543,981
Other real estate not covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC					83,146		122,072		136,705		169,260		180,445
Other real estate covered under loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC					-		-		-		19,595		32,128
Accrued income receivable					209,320		180,871		166,022		213,844		138,042
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value					118,395		150,906		169,777		168,031		196,889
Other assets					1,737,041		1,819,615		1,714,134		1,991,323		2,145,510
Goodwill					671,122		671,122		671,122		627,294		627,294
Other intangible assets					22,466		28,780		26,833		35,672		45,050
Total assets				$	65,926,000	$	52,115,324	$	47,604,577	$	44,277,337	$	38,661,609
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
	Deposits:
		Non-interest bearing		$	13,128,699	$	9,160,173	$	9,149,036	$	8,490,945	$	6,980,443
		Interest bearing			43,737,641		34,598,433		30,561,003		26,962,563		23,515,781
		Total deposits			56,866,340		43,758,606		39,710,039		35,453,508		30,496,224
Assets sold under agreements to repurchase					121,303		193,378		281,529		390,921		479,425
Other short-term borrowings					-		-		42		96,208		1,200
Notes payable					1,224,981		1,101,608		1,256,102		1,536,356		1,574,852
Other liabilities					1,684,689		1,044,953		921,808		1,696,439		911,951
		Total liabilities			59,897,313		46,098,545		42,169,520		39,173,432		33,463,652
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock					22,143		50,160		50,160		50,160		50,160
Common stock					1,045		1,044		1,043		1,042		1,040
Surplus					4,571,534		4,447,412		4,365,606		4,298,503		4,255,022
Retained earnings					2,260,928		2,147,915		1,651,731		1,194,994		1,220,307
Treasury stock – at cost					(1,016,954)		(459,814)		(205,509)		(90,142)		(8,286)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax					189,991		(169,938)		(427,974)		(350,652)		(320,286)
		Total stockholders’ equity			6,028,687		6,016,779		5,435,057		5,103,905		5,197,957
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity				$	65,926,000	$	52,115,324	$	47,604,577	$	44,277,337	$	38,661,609

Statistical Summary 2016-2020

Statements of Operations

	For the years ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2020		2019		2018		2017		2016
Interest income:
Loans	$	1,742,390	$	1,802,968	$	1,645,736	$	1,478,765	$	1,459,720
Money market investments		19,721		89,823		111,288		51,495		16,428
Investment securities		329,440		368,002		264,824		195,684		158,425
Total interest income		2,091,551		2,260,793		2,021,848		1,725,944		1,634,573
Less - Interest expense		234,938		369,099		286,971		223,980		212,518
Net interest income		1,856,613		1,891,694		1,734,877		1,501,964		1,422,055
Provision for credit losses		292,536		165,779		228,072		325,424		170,016
Net interest income after provision for losses		1,564,077		1,725,915		1,506,805		1,176,540		1,252,039
Mortgage banking activities		10,401		32,093		52,802		25,496		56,538
Net gain (loss) on sale of debt securities		41		(20)		-		83		38
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities		-		-		-		(8,299)		(209)
Net gain (loss), including impairment on equity securities		6,279		2,506		(2,081)		251		1,924
Net profit (loss) on trading account debt securities		1,033		994		(208)		(817)		(785)
Net gain (loss) on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale		1,234		-		33		(420)		8,245
Adjustment (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold		390		(343)		(12,959)		(22,377)		(17,285)
FDIC loss-share income (expense)		-		-		94,725		(10,066)		(207,779)
Other non-interest income		492,934		534,653		520,182		435,316		457,249
Total non-interest income		512,312		569,883		652,494		419,167		297,936
Operating expenses:
Personnel costs		564,205		590,625		562,988		476,762		477,395
All other operating expenses		893,624		886,857		858,574		780,434		778,240
Total operating expenses		1,457,829		1,477,482		1,421,562		1,257,196		1,255,635
Income from continuing operations, before income tax		618,560		818,316		737,737		338,511		294,340
Income tax expense		111,938		147,181		119,579		230,830		78,784
Income from continuing operations	$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158	$	107,681	$	215,556
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax		-		-		-		-		1,135
Net Income	$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158	$	107,681	$	216,691
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock	$	504,864	$	667,412	$	614,435	$	103,958	$	212,968

Statistical Summary 2016-2020

Average Balance Sheet and Summary of Net Interest Income

On a Taxable Equivalent Basis*
			2020						2019						2018
(Dollars in thousands)			Average Balance		Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance		Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance		Interest	Average Rate
Assets
Interest earning assets:
Money market investments		$	8,597,652	$	19,723	0.23	%	$	4,166,293	$	89,824	2.16	%	$	5,943,442	$	111,289	1.87	%
U.S. Treasury securities			12,107,819		257,308	2.13			9,823,518		302,025	3.07			6,189,239		168,885	2.73
Obligations of U.S. Government
	sponsored entities		70,424		2,818	4.00			234,553		5,911	2.52			515,870		10,664	2.07
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States
	and political subdivisions		82,051		5,705	6.95			93,313		6,394	6.85			96,801		6,816	7.04
Collateralized mortgage obligations and
	mortgage-backed securities		6,913,416		194,794	2.82			5,582,051		178,964	3.21			5,216,728		168,565	3.23
Other			178,818		7,369	4.12			171,223		8,487	4.96			174,095		9,432	5.42
Total investment securities			19,352,528		467,994	2.42			15,904,658		501,781	3.15			12,192,733		364,362	2.99
Trading account securities			69,446		4,165	6.00			67,596		5,103	7.55			76,461		5,772	7.55
Loans (net of unearned income)			28,384,981		1,785,022	6.29			26,806,368		1,850,894	6.90			25,062,730		1,681,540	6.71
	Total interest earning assets/Interest income	$	56,404,607	$	2,276,904	4.04	%	$	46,944,915	$	2,447,602	5.21	%	$	43,275,366	$	2,162,963	5.00	%
	Total non-interest earning assets		3,178,848						3,396,912						3,364,492
	Total assets from continuing operations	$	59,583,455					$	50,341,827					$	46,639,858
	Total assets	$	59,583,455					$	50,341,827					$	46,639,858
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Interest bearing liabilities:
Savings, NOW, money market and other
	interest bearing demand accounts	$	32,077,578	$	92,417	0.29	%	$	25,575,455	$	192,200	0.75	%	$	22,127,223	$	112,543	0.51	%
Time deposits			7,970,474		83,438	1.05			7,770,430		112,658	1.45			7,569,884		91,722	1.21
Short-term borrowings			165,617		2,457	1.48			231,268		6,099	2.64			358,418		7,210	2.01
Notes payable			1,178,169		56,626	4.81			1,194,119		58,142	4.77			1,520,812		75,496	4.96

	Total interest bearing liabilities/Interest expense		41,391,838		234,938	0.57			34,771,272		369,099	1.06			31,576,337		286,971	0.91
	Total non-interest bearing liabilities		12,771,679						9,857,038						9,621,378
	Total liabilities from continuing operations		54,163,517						44,628,310						41,197,715
	Total liabilities from discontinued operations		-		-	-			-		-	-			-		-	-
Total liabilities			54,163,517						44,628,310						41,197,715
Stockholders' equity			5,419,938						5,713,517						5,442,143
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	59,583,455					$	50,341,827					$	46,639,858
Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis				$	2,041,966					$	2,078,503					$	1,875,992
Cost of funding earning assets						0.42	%					0.78	%					0.66	%
Net interest margin						3.62	%					4.43	%					4.34	%
Effect of the taxable equivalent adjustment					185,353						186,809						141,116
Net interest income per books				$	1,856,613					$	1,891,694					$	1,734,876

* Shows the effect of the tax exempt status of some loans and investments on their yield, using the applicable statutory income tax rates. The computation considers the interest expense disallowance required by the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code. This adjustment is shown in order to compare the yields of the tax exempt and taxable assets on a taxable basis.

Note: Average loan balances include the average balance of non-accruing loans. No interest income is recognized for these loans in accordance with the Corporation’s policy.

Statistical Summary 2016-2020

Average Balance Sheet and Summary of Net Interest Income

On a Taxable Equivalent Basis
			2017						2016
(Dollars in thousands)			Average Balance		Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance		Interest	Average Rate
Assets
Interest earning assets:
Money market investments		$	4,480,651	$	51,496	1.15	%	$	3,103,390	$	16,428	0.53	%
U.S. Treasury securities			2,969,635		49,916	1.68			1,567,364		21,835	1.39
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities			667,140		13,593	2.04			810,568		15,743	1.94
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political
	subdivisions		111,455		7,409	6.65			127,694		8,496	6.65
Collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-
	backed securities		5,667,586		182,485	3.22			4,735,418		147,097	3.11
Other			185,672		9,290	5.00			188,145		8,944	4.75
	Total investment securities		9,601,488		262,693	2.74			7,429,189		202,115	2.72
Trading account securities			75,111		5,728	7.63			118,341		8,083	6.83
Loans (net of unearned income)			23,511,293		1,515,092	6.44			23,062,242		1,495,639	6.49
	Total interest earning assets/Interest income	$	37,668,543	$	1,835,009	4.87	%	$	33,713,162	$	1,722,265	5.11	%
	Total non-interest earning assets		3,735,596						3,900,580
	Total assets from continuing operations	$	41,404,139					$	37,613,742
	Total assets	$	41,404,139					$	37,613,742
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Interest bearing liabilities:
Savings, NOW, money market and other interest
	bearing demand accounts	$	18,218,583	$	57,714	0.32	%	$	14,548,307	$	45,550	0.31	%
Time deposits			7,625,484		84,150	1.10			7,910,063		82,027	1.04
Short-term borrowings			452,205		5,725	1.27			763,496		7,812	1.02
Notes payable			1,548,635		76,392	4.93			1,575,903		77,129	4.89

	Total interest bearing liabilities/Interest expense		27,844,907		223,981	0.80			24,797,769		212,518	0.86
	Total non-interest bearing liabilities		8,214,703						7,535,742
	Total liabilities from continuing operations		36,059,610						32,333,511
	Total liabilities from discontinued operations		-		-	-			1,754		-	-
Total liabilities			36,059,610						32,335,265
Stockholders' equity			5,344,529						5,278,477
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	41,404,139					$	37,613,742
Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis				$	1,611,028					$	1,509,747
Cost of funding earning assets						0.59	%					0.63	%
Net interest margin						4.28	%					4.48	%
Effect of the taxable equivalent adjustment					109,065						87,692
Net interest income per books				$	1,501,963					$	1,422,055

* Shows the effect of the tax exempt status of loans and investments on their yield, using the applicable statutory income tax rates. The computation considers the interest expense disallowance required by the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code. This adjustment is shown in order to compare the yield of the tax exempt and taxable assets on a taxable basis.

Note: Average loan balances include the average balance of non-accruing loans. No interest income is recognized for these loans in accordance with the Corporation’s policy.

Statistical Summary 2019-2020

Quarterly Financial Data

		2020								2019
(In thousands, except per		Fourth		Third		Second		First		Fourth		Third		Second		First
common share information)		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
Summary of Operations
Interest income	$	519,423	$	513,201	$	508,569	$	550,358	$	559,869	$	571,976	$	570,979	$	557,969
Interest expense		47,807		52,180		57,688		77,263		92,445		94,985		94,663		87,006
Net interest income		471,616		461,021		450,881		473,095		467,424		476,991		476,316		470,963
Provision for credit losses		21,218		19,138		62,449		189,731		47,224		36,539		40,191		41,825
Mortgage banking activities		9,730		(9,526)		3,777		6,420		13,448		10,492		(1,773)		9,926
Net (gain) loss, on sale of debt securities		-		41		-		-		-		(20)		-		-
Net gain, including impairment on equity
securities		1,410		5,150		2,447		(2,728)		332		213		528		1,433
Net profit on trading account debt securities		440		20		82		491		17		295		422		260
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation
adjustments on loans held-for-sale		253		(2,198)		2,222		957		-		-		-		-
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves
on loans sold		2,160		4,183		(1,160)		(4,793)		1,321		(3,411)		1,840		(93)
Other non-interest income		130,854		131,097		104,687		126,296		137,297		135,143		137,309		124,904
Operating expenses		375,924		361,066		348,231		372,608		390,572		376,475		363,015		347,420
Income before income tax		219,321		209,584		152,256		37,399		182,043		206,689		211,436		218,148
Income tax expense		43,045		41,168		24,628		3,097		15,258		41,370		40,330		50,223
Net income	$	176,276	$	168,416	$	127,628	$	34,302	$	166,785	$	165,319	$	171,106	$	167,925
Net income applicable to common stock	$	175,923	$	168,064	$	127,275	$	33,632	$	165,854	$	164,389	$	170,175	$	166,994
Net income per common share - basic	$	2.10	$	2.01	$	1.49	$	0.37	$	1.72	$	1.71	$	1.77	$	1.69
Net income per common share - diluted	$	2.10	$	2.00	$	1.49	$	0.37	$	1.72	$	1.70	$	1.76	$	1.69
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.40	$	0.40	$	0.40	$	0.40	$	0.30	$	0.30	$	0.30	$	0.30
Selected Average Balances
(In millions)
Total assets	$	64,966	$	63,120	$	58,797	$	51,354	$	51,974	$	50,941	$	49,775	$	48,627
Loans		29,300		28,543		28,280		27,405		27,081		26,892		26,733		26,492
Interest earning assets		61,854		59,880		55,636		48,149		48,546		47,506		46,397		45,265
Deposits		56,678		54,944		50,984		43,649		43,785		42,822		41,715		40,527
Interest bearing liabilities		44,729		43,496		41,314		35,971		36,236		35,438		34,295		33,043
Selected Ratios
Return on assets		1.08	%	1.06	%	0.87	%	0.27	%	1.27	%	1.29	%	1.38	%	1.40	%
Return on common equity		12.68		12.46		9.74		2.50		11.27		11.44		12.31		12.17

Note: Because each reporting period stands on its own the sum of the net income per common share for the quarters may not equal to the net income per common share for the year.

Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of Popular, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and for our assessment of internal control over financial reporting. The Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and includes controls over the preparation of financial statements in accordance with the instructions to the Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank Holding Companies (Form FR Y-9C) to comply with the reporting requirements of Section 112 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA). The Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Corporation;

(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Corporation; and

(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The management of Popular, Inc. has assessed the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Based on our assessment, management concluded that the Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 based on the criteria referred to above.

The Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, as stated in their report dated March 1, 2021 which appears herein.


Ignacio Alvarez		Carlos J. Vázquez
President and		Executive Vice President
Chief Executive Officer		and Chief Financial Officer

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Popular, Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Popular, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Corporation changed the manner in which it accounts for its allowance for credit losses in 2020.

Basis for Opinions

The Corporation's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and on the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and

testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process 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. Management's assessment and our audit of Popular, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting also included controls over the preparation of financial statements in accordance with the instructions to the Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank Holding Companies (Form FR Y-9C) to comply with the reporting requirements of Section 112 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA). A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans Held-in-Portfolio – Quantitative Models, and Qualitative Adjustments to the Puerto Rico Portfolios

As described in Notes 2 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Corporation follows the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) to provide for expected losses in the loan portfolio. As of December 31, 2020, the allowance for credit losses was $896 million on total loans of $29 billion. This CECL model establishes a forward-looking methodology that reflects the expected credit losses over the lives of financial assets. The quantitative modeling framework includes competing risk models to generate lifetime defaults and prepayments, and other loan level modeling techniques to estimate loss severity. As part of this methodology, management evaluates various macroeconomic scenarios, and may apply probability weights to the outcome of the selected scenarios. The ACL also includes a qualitative framework that addresses losses that are expected but not captured within the quantitative modeling framework. In order to identify potential losses that are not captured through the models, management evaluated model limitations as well as the different risks covered by the variables used in each quantitative model. To complement the analysis, management also evaluated sectors that have low levels of historical defaults, but current conditions show the potential for future losses.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the allowance for credit losses on loans held-in-portfolio quantitative models, and qualitative adjustments to the Puerto Rico portfolios is a

critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management in determining the allowance for credit losses, including qualitative adjustments to the Puerto Rico portfolios, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor effort, judgment, and subjectivity in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to the allowance for credit losses, including management’s selection of macroeconomic scenarios and probability weights applied; and (ii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the allowance for credit losses for loans held-in-portfolio, including qualitative adjustments to the Puerto Rico portfolios. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for estimating the allowance for credit losses by (i) evaluating the appropriateness of the methodology, including models used for estimating the ACL; (ii) evaluating the reasonableness of management’s selection of various macroeconomic scenarios including probability weights applied to the expected loss outcome of the selected macroeconomic scenarios; (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of the qualitative adjustments to Puerto Rico portfolios allowance for credit losses; and (iv) testing the data used in the allowance for credit losses. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the appropriateness of the methodology and models, the reasonableness of management’s selection and weighting of macroeconomic scenarios used to estimate current expected credit losses and reasonableness of the qualitative adjustments to Puerto Rico portfolios allowance for credit losses.

Goodwill Annual Impairment Assessment – Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and Popular Bank Reporting Units

As described in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Corporation’s consolidated goodwill balance was $671 million as of December 31, 2020, of which a significant portion relates to the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”) and Popular Bank (“PB”) reporting units. Management conducts an impairment test as of July 31 of each year and on a more frequent basis if events or circumstances indicate an impairment could have taken place. In determining the fair value of each reporting unit, management generally uses a combination of methods, including market price multiples of comparable companies and transactions, as well as discounted cash flow analysis. Management evaluates the particular circumstances of each reporting unit in order to determine the most appropriate valuation methodology and the weights applied to each valuation methodology, as applicable. The computations require management to make estimates, assumptions and calculations related to: (i) a selection of comparable publicly traded companies, based on the nature of business, location and size; (ii) calculation of average price multiples of relevant value drivers from a group of selected comparable companies; (iii) the discount rate applied to future earnings, based on an estimate of the cost of equity; (iv) the potential future earnings of the reporting units; and (v) the market growth and new business assumptions. Furthermore, as part of the analyses, management performed a reconciliation of the aggregate fair values determined for the reporting units to the market capitalization of the Corporation concluding that the fair value results determined for the reporting units were reasonable.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to goodwill annual impairment assessments of the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and Popular Bank reporting units is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when determining the fair value measurements of the reporting units which led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating evidence relating to the calculation of average price multiples of relevant value drivers from a group of selected comparable companies; the potential future earnings of the reporting unit; the estimated cost of equity; and the market growth and new business assumptions; and (ii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

underlying data used in the estimates; (iv) evaluating the appropriateness of the calculation of average price multiples of relevant value drivers from a group of selected comparable companies; and (v) evaluating the potential future earnings of the reporting units; the estimated cost of equity; and the market growth and new business assumptions, including whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering, as applicable, (i) the current and past performance of the reporting units; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the appropriateness of the methods and the reasonableness of certain significant assumptions.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

March 1, 2021

We have served as the Corporation’s auditor since 1971, which includes periods before the Corporation became subject to SEC reporting requirements.

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

(OF PUERTO RICO)

License No. LLP-216 Expires Dec. 1, 2022

Stamp E427540 of the P.R. Society of

Certified Public Accountants has been

affixed to the file copy of this report

POPULAR, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

			December 31,		December 31,
(In thousands, except share information)			2020		2019
Assets:
Cash and due from banks			$	491,065	$	388,311
Money market investments:
		Time deposits with other banks		11,640,880		3,262,286
		Total money market investments		11,640,880		3,262,286
Trading account debt securities, at fair value:
		Pledged securities with creditors’ right to repledge		241		598
		Other trading account debt securities		36,433		39,723
Debt securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
		Pledged securities with creditors’ right to repledge		125,819		202,585
		Other debt securities available-for-sale		21,435,333		17,445,888
Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value 2020 - $94,891; 2019 - $105,110)				92,621		97,662
		Less – Allowance for credit losses		10,261		-
		Debt securities held-to-maturity, net		82,360		97,662
Equity securities (realizable value 2020 - $173,929; 2019 - $165,952)				173,737		159,887
Loans held-for-sale, at lower of cost or fair value				99,455		59,203
Loans held-in-portfolio				29,588,430		27,587,856
		Less – Unearned income		203,234		180,983
		Allowance for credit losses		896,250		477,708
		Total loans held-in-portfolio, net		28,488,946		26,929,165
Premises and equipment, net				510,241		556,650
Other real estate				83,146		122,072
Accrued income receivable				209,320		180,871
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value				118,395		150,906
Other assets				1,737,041		1,819,615
Goodwill				671,122		671,122
Other intangible assets				22,466		28,780
Total assets			$	65,926,000	$	52,115,324
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
	Deposits:
		Non-interest bearing	$	13,128,699	$	9,160,173
		Interest bearing		43,737,641		34,598,433
		Total deposits		56,866,340		43,758,606
Assets sold under agreements to repurchase				121,303		193,378
Notes payable				1,224,981		1,101,608
Other liabilities				1,684,689		1,044,953
		Total liabilities		59,897,313		46,098,545
Commitments and contingencies (Refer to Note 23)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 885,726 shares issued and outstanding (2019 - 2,006,391)				22,143		50,160
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 170,000,000 shares authorized;104,508,290 shares issued (2019 - 104,392,222) and 84,244,235 shares outstanding (2019 - 95,589,629)				1,045		1,044
Surplus				4,571,534		4,447,412
Retained earnings				2,260,928		2,147,915
Treasury stock - at cost, 20,264,055 shares (2019 - 8,802,593)				(1,016,954)		(459,814)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				189,991		(169,938)
		Total stockholders’ equity		6,028,687		6,016,779
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity			$	65,926,000	$	52,115,324
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

POPULAR, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

			Years ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share information)			2020		2019		2018
Interest income:
	Loans		$	1,742,390	$	1,802,968	$	1,645,736
	Money market investments			19,721		89,823		111,288
	Investment securities			329,440		368,002		264,824
		Total interest income		2,091,551		2,260,793		2,021,848
Interest expense:
	Deposits			175,855		304,858		204,265
	Short-term borrowings			2,457		6,100		7,210
	Long-term debt			56,626		58,141		75,496
		Total interest expense		234,938		369,099		286,971
Net interest income				1,856,613		1,891,694		1,734,877
Provision for credit losses				292,536		165,779		228,072
Net interest income after provision for credit losses				1,564,077		1,725,915		1,506,805
Service charges on deposit accounts				147,823		160,933		150,677
Other service fees				257,892		285,206		258,020
Mortgage banking activities (Refer to Note 9)				10,401		32,093		52,802
Net gain (loss) on sale of debt securities				41		(20)		-
Net gain (loss), including impairment on equity securities				6,279		2,506		(2,081)
Net profit (loss) on trading account debt securities				1,033		994		(208)
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale				1,234		-		33
Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold				390		(343)		(12,959)
FDIC loss-share income				-		-		94,725
Other operating income				87,219		88,514		111,485
		Total non-interest income		512,312		569,883		652,494
Operating expenses:
Personnel costs				564,205		590,625		562,988
Net occupancy expenses				119,345		96,339		88,329
Equipment expenses				88,932		84,215		71,788
Other taxes				54,454		51,653		46,284
Professional fees				394,122		384,411		349,844
Communications				23,496		23,450		23,107
Business promotion				57,608		75,372		65,918
FDIC deposit insurance				23,868		18,179		27,757
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				-		-		12,522
Other real estate owned (OREO) (income) expenses				(3,480)		4,298		23,338
Other operating expenses				128,882		139,570		140,361
Amortization of intangibles				6,397		9,370		9,326
		Total operating expenses		1,457,829		1,477,482		1,421,562
Income before income tax				618,560		818,316		737,737
Income tax expense				111,938		147,181		119,579
Net Income			$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock			$	504,864	$	667,412	$	614,435
Net Income per Common Share – Basic			$	5.88	$	6.89	$	6.07
Net Income per Common Share – Diluted			$	5.87	$	6.88	$	6.06
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

POPULAR, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2020		2019		2018
Net income		$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158
Reclassification to retained earnings due to cumulative effect of accounting change			-		(50)		(605)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(14,471)		(6,847)		(6,902)
Adjustment of pension and postretirement benefit plans			(9,032)		(21,874)		(15,497)
	Amortization of net losses		21,447		23,508		21,542
	Amortization of prior service credit		-		-		(3,470)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on debt securities arising during the period			419,993		286,063		(71,255)
	Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income		(41)		20		-
Unrealized net (losses) gains on cash flow hedges			(8,872)		(5,741)		536
	Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income		6,379		3,882		(1,110)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax			415,403		278,961		(76,761)
Income tax expense			(55,474)		(20,925)		(561)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			359,929		258,036		(77,322)
Comprehensive income, net of tax		$	866,551	$	929,171	$	540,836

Tax effect allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss):
		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2020		2019		2018
Adjustment of pension and postretirement benefit plans		$	3,387	$	8,203	$	6,044
	Amortization of net losses		(8,042)		(8,817)		(8,401)
	Amortization of prior service credit		-		-		1,354
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on debt securities arising during the period			(51,213)		(20,113)		219
	Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income		6		(4)		-
Unrealized net (losses) gains on cash flow hedges			2,472		1,302		(210)
	Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income		(2,084)		(1,496)		433
Income tax expense		$	(55,474)	$	(20,925)	$	(561)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

POPULAR, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

												Accumulated
													other
		Common			Preferred			Retained		Treasury		comprehensive
(In thousands)		stock		stock		Surplus		earnings		stock		income (loss)		Total
Balance at December 31, 2017		$	1,042	$	50,160	$	4,298,503	$	1,194,994	$	(90,142)	$	(350,652)		5,103,905
Cumulative effect of accounting change									1,935						1,935
Net income									618,158						618,158
Issuance of stock			1				3,340								3,341
Dividends declared:
	Common stock^[1]								(101,293)						(101,293)
	Preferred stock								(3,723)						(3,723)
Common stock purchases ^[2]							(86)				(127,379)				(127,465)
Common stock reissuance							351				3,576				3,927
Stock based compensation							5,158				8,436				13,594
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax													(77,322)		(77,322)
Transfer to statutory reserve							58,340		(58,340)						-
Balance at December 31, 2018		$	1,043	$	50,160	$	4,365,606	$	1,651,731	$	(205,509)	$	(427,974)		5,435,057
Cumulative effect of accounting change									4,905						4,905
Net income									671,135						671,135
Issuance of stock			1				3,496								3,497
Dividends declared:
	Common stock^[1]								(116,022)						(116,022)
	Preferred stock								(3,723)						(3,723)
Common stock purchases^[3]							15,740				(271,752)				(256,012)
Common stock reissuance							374				4,848				5,222
Stock based compensation							2,085				12,599				14,684
Other comprehensive income, net of tax													258,036		258,036
Transfer to statutory reserve							60,111		(60,111)						-
Balance at December 31, 2019		$	1,044	$	50,160	$	4,447,412	$	2,147,915	$	(459,814)	$	(169,938)		6,016,779
Cumulative effect of accounting change									(205,842)						(205,842)
Net income									506,622						506,622
Issuance of stock			1				4,262								4,263
Dividends declared:
	Common stock^[1]								(136,561)						(136,561)
	Preferred stock								(1,758)						(1,758)
Common stock purchases^[4]							76,335				(580,507)				(504,172)
Common stock reissuance							(1,192)				6,022				4,830
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount^[5]					(28,017)										(28,017)
Stock based compensation							(4,731)				17,345				12,614
Other comprehensive income, net of tax													359,929		359,929
Transfer to statutory reserve							49,448		(49,448)						-
Balance at December 31, 2020		$	1,045	$	22,143	$	4,571,534	$	2,260,928	$	(1,016,954)	$	189,991		6,028,687
[1]	Dividends declared per common share during the year ended December 31, 2020 - $1.60 (2019 - $1.20; 2018 - $1.00).
[2]	During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Corporation completed a $125 million accelerated share repurchase transaction with respect to its common stock, which was accounted for as a treasury stock transaction. Refer to Note 19 for additional information.
[3]	During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Corporation completed a $250 million accelerated share repurchase transaction with respect to its common stock, which was accounted for as a treasury stock transaction. Refer to Note 19 for additional information.
[4]	During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation completed a $500 million accelerated share repurchase transaction with respect to its common stock, which was accounted for as a treasury stock transaction. Refer to Note 19 for additional information.
[5]	On February 24, 2020, the Corporation redeemed all the outstanding shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock. Refer to Note 19 for additional information.

											Years ended December 31,
Disclosure of changes in number of shares:											2020		2019		2018
Preferred Stock:
	Balance at beginning of year										2,006,391		2,006,391		2,006,391
	Redemption of stocks										(1,120,665)		-		-
	Balance at end of year										885,726		2,006,391		2,006,391
Common Stock:
	Balance at beginning of year										104,392,222		104,320,303		104,238,159
	Issuance of stock										116,068		71,919		82,144
	Balance at end of year										104,508,290		104,392,222		104,320,303
	Treasury stock										(20,264,055)		(8,802,593)		(4,377,458)
Common Stock – Outstanding											84,244,235		95,589,629		99,942,845
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

POPULAR, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

			Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)				2020		2019		2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income			$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Provision for credit losses			292,536		165,779		228,072
	Amortization of intangibles			6,397		9,370		9,326
	Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment			58,452		58,067		53,300
	Net accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums and deferred fees			(63,300)		(158,070)		(87,154)
	Interest capitalized on loans subject to the temporary payment moratorium			(95,212)		-		(481)
	Share-based compensation			8,254		12,303		10,521
	Impairment losses on right-of-use and long-lived assets			18,004		2,591		272
	Fair value adjustments on mortgage servicing rights			42,055		27,771		8,477
	FDIC loss-share income			-		-		(94,725)
	Adjustments to indemnity reserves on loans sold			(390)		343		12,959
	Earnings from investments under the equity method, net of dividends or distributions			(27,738)		(28,011)		(24,217)
	Deferred income tax expense (benefit)			75,044		141,332		(12,320)
	(Gain) loss on:
		Disposition of premises and equipment and other productive assets		(11,561)		(6,666)		15,984
		Proceeds from insurance claims		(366)		(1,205)		(20,147)
		Early extinguishment of debt		-		-		12,522
		Sale of debt securities		(41)		20		-
		Sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale and mortgage banking activities		(32,449)		(15,888)		(9,681)
		Sale of foreclosed assets, including write-downs		(19,958)		(21,982)		6,833
	Acquisitions of loans held-for-sale			(227,697)		(223,939)		(232,264)
	Proceeds from sale of loans held-for-sale			83,456		71,075		66,687
	Net originations on loans held-for-sale			(391,537)		(289,430)		(254,582)
	Net decrease (increase) in:
		Trading debt securities		493,993		460,969		458,447
		Equity securities		(8,263)		(8,032)		(1,622)
		Accrued income receivable		(35,616)		(8,369)		49,288
		Other assets		114,329		(37,847)		265,322
	Net (decrease) increase in:
		Interest payable		(5,404)		(284)		(9,786)
		Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation		5,898		778		4,558
		Other liabilities		(106,736)		(116,443)		(226,244)
Total adjustments				172,150		34,232		229,345
Net cash provided by operating activities				678,772		705,367		847,503
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Net (increase) decrease in money market investments			(8,378,577)		905,558		1,083,515
	Purchases of investment securities:
		Available-for-sale		(21,033,807)		(18,733,295)		(10,050,165)
		Equity		(30,794)		(16,300)		(13,068)
	Proceeds from calls, paydowns, maturities and redemptions of investment securities:
		Available-for-sale		18,224,362		14,650,440		6,946,209
		Held-to-maturity		6,733		5,913		7,280
	Proceeds from sale of investment securities:
		Available-for-sale		5,103		99,445		-
		Equity		25,206		20,030		24,209
	Net disbursements on loans			(875,941)		(641,029)		(6,665)
	Proceeds from sale of loans			84,385		110,534		29,669
	Acquisition of loan portfolios			(1,138,276)		(619,737)		(601,550)
	Payments to acquire other intangible			(83)		(10,382)		-
	Net payments to FDIC under loss sharing agreements			-		-		(25,012)
	Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired			-		-		(1,843,333)
	Return of capital from equity method investments			959		6,942		4,090
	Payments to acquire equity method investments			(1,778)		-		-
	Acquisition of premises and equipment			(60,073)		(75,665)		(80,549)
	Proceeds from insurance claims			366		1,205		20,147

	Proceeds from sale of:
		Premises and equipment and other productive assets		26,548		18,608		9,185
		Foreclosed assets		77,521		107,881		105,371
Net cash used in investing activities				(13,068,146)		(4,169,852)		(4,390,667)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Net increase (decrease) in:
		Deposits		13,102,028		4,043,955		4,259,651
		Assets sold under agreements to repurchase		(72,076)		(88,151)		(109,391)
		Other short-term borrowings		-		(41)		(96,167)
	Payments of notes payable			(139,920)		(210,377)		(755,966)
	Principal payments of finance leases			(3,145)		(1,726)		-
	Payments for debt extinguishment			-		-		(12,522)
	Proceeds from issuance of notes payable			261,999		75,000		473,819
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock			9,093		8,719		7,268
	Payments for repurchase of redeemable preferred stock			(28,017)		-		-
	Dividends paid			(133,645)		(115,810)		(105,441)
	Net payments for repurchase of common stock			(500,479)		(250,581)		(125,264)
	Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation			(3,693)		(5,431)		(2,201)
Net cash provided by financing activities				12,492,145		3,455,557		3,533,786
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks, and restricted cash				102,771		(8,928)		(9,378)
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash at beginning of period				394,323		403,251		412,629
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash at end of period			$	497,094	$	394,323	$	403,251
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 -	Nature of Operations	83
Note 2 -	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	84
Note 3 -	New Accounting Pronouncements	95
Note 4 -	Restrictions on Cash and Due from Banks and Certain Securities	101
Note 5 -	Debt Securities Available-For-Sale	102
Note 6 -	Debt Securities Held-to-Maturity	105
Note 7 -	Loans	108
Note 8 -	Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans Held-In-Portfolio	117
Note 9 -	Mortgage Banking Activities	137
Note 10 -	Transfers of Financial Assets and Mortgage Servicing Assets	138
Note 11 -	Premises and Equipment	141
Note 12 -	Other Real Estate Owned	142
Note 13 -	Other Assets	143
Note 14 -	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	144
Note 15 -	Deposits	148
Note 16 -	Borrowings	149
Note 17 -	Trust Preferred Securities	151
Note 18 -	Other Liabilities	152
Note 19 -	Stockholders’ Equity	153
Note 20 -	Regulatory Capital Requirements	155
Note 21 -	Other comprehensive Income (Loss)	158
Note 22 -	Guarantees	160
Note 23 -	Commitments and Contingencies	163
Note 24-	Non-consolidated Variable Interest Entities	170
Note 25 -	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	172
Note 26 -	Related Party Transactions	176
Note 27 -	Fair Value Measurement	180
Note 28 -	Fair Value of Financial Instruments	190
Note 29 -	Employee Benefits	193
Note 30 -	Net Income per Common Share	201
Note 31 -	Revenue from Contracts with Customers	202
Note 32 -	Leases	204
Note 33 -	Stock-Based Compensation	206
Note 34 -	Income Taxes	209
Note 35 -	Supplemental Disclosure on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	215
Note 36 -	Segment Reporting	216
Note 37 -	Popular, Inc. (Holding company only) Financial Information	221

Note 1 – Nature of operations

Popular, Inc. (the “Corporation or “Popular”) is a diversified, publicly-owned financial holding company subject to the supervision and regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Corporation has operations in Puerto Rico, the mainland United States (“U.S.”) and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, the Corporation provides retail, mortgage and commercial banking services, through its principal banking subsidiary, Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“BPPR”), as well as investment banking, broker-dealer, auto and equipment leasing and financing, and insurance services through specialized subsidiaries. In the mainland U.S., the Corporation provides retail, mortgage and commercial banking services through its New York-chartered banking subsidiary, Popular Bank (“PB” or “Popular U.S.”), which has branches located in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies

The accounting and financial reporting policies of Popular, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with prevailing practices within the financial services industry.

The following is a description of the most significant of these policies:

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Popular, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In accordance with the consolidation guidance for variable interest entities, the Corporation would also consolidate any variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which it has a controlling financial interest; and therefore, it is the primary beneficiary. Assets held in a fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Corporation and, accordingly, are not included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Unconsolidated investments, in which there is at least 20% ownership and / or the Corporation exercises significant influence, are generally accounted for by the equity method with earnings recorded in other operating income. Limited partnerships are also accounted for by the equity method unless the investor’s interest is so “minor” that the limited partner may have virtually no influence over partnership operating and financial policies. These investments are included in other assets and the Corporation’s proportionate share of income or loss is included in other operating income.

Statutory business trusts that are wholly-owned by the Corporation and are issuers of trust preferred securities are not consolidated in the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

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 reported amounts of assets and liabilities and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair value measurements

The Corporation determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value framework established in the guidance for Fair Value Measurements in ASC Subtopic 820-10, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value which are (1) quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data, and (3) unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.

The guidance in ASC Subtopic 820-10 also addresses measuring fair value in situations where markets are inactive and transactions are not orderly. Transactions or quoted prices for assets and liabilities may not be determinative of fair value when transactions are not orderly, and thus, may require adjustments to estimate fair value. Price quotes based on transactions that are not orderly should be given little, if any, weight in measuring fair value. Price quotes based on transactions that are orderly shall be considered in determining fair value, and the weight given is based on facts and circumstances. If sufficient information is not available to determine if price quotes are based on orderly transactions, less weight should be given to the price quote relative to other transactions that are known to be orderly.

Investment securities

Investment securities are classified in four categories and accounted for as follows:

· Debt securities that the Corporation has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as debt securities held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost. Since the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, an ACL is established for the expected credit losses over the remaining term of debt securities held-to-maturity. The Corporation has established a methodology to estimate credit losses which considers qualitative factors, including internal credit ratings and the underlying source of repayment in determining the amount of expected credit losses. Debt securities held-to-maturity are written-off through the ACL when a portion or the entire amount is deemed uncollectible, based on the information considered to develop expected credit losses through the life of the asset. The ACL is estimated by leveraging the expected loss framework for mortgages in the case of securities collateralized by 2^nd lien loans and the commercial C&I

models for municipal bonds. As part of this framework, internal factors are stressed, as a qualitative adjustment, to reflect current conditions that are not necessarily captured within the historical loss experience. The modeling framework includes a 2-year reasonable and supportable period gradually reverting, over a 1-year horizon, to historical information at the model input level. The Corporation may not sell or transfer held-to-maturity securities without calling into question its intent to hold other debt securities to maturity, unless a nonrecurring or unusual event that could not have been reasonably anticipated has occurred.

· Debt securities classified as trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized and realized gains and losses included in non-interest income.

· Debt securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value. Declines in fair value below the securities’ amortized cost which are not related to estimated credit losses are recorded through other comprehensive income or loss, net of taxes. If the Corporation intends to sell or believes it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security, it is written down to fair value through earnings. Since the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities are recorded through an ACL, which are limited to the difference between the amortized cost and the fair value of the asset. The ACL is established for the expected credit losses over the remaining term of debt security. The Corporation’s portfolio of available-for-sale securities is comprised mainly of U.S. Treasury notes and obligations from the U.S. Government. These securities have an explicit or implicit guarantee from the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. Accordingly, the Corporation applies a zero-credit loss assumption and no ACL for these securities has been established. The Corporation monitors its securities portfolio composition and credit performance on a quarterly basis to determine if any allowance is considered necessary. Debt securities available-for-sale are written-off when a portion or the entire amount is deemed uncollectible, based on the information considered to develop expected credit losses through the life of the asset. The specific identification method is used to determine realized gains and losses on debt securities available-for-sale, which are included in net (loss) gain on sale of debt securities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

· Equity securities that have readily available fair values are reported at fair value. Equity securities that do not have readily available fair values are measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Stock that is owned by the Corporation to comply with regulatory requirements, such as Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock, is included in this category, and their realizable value equals their cost. Unrealized and realized gains and losses and any impairment on equity securities are included in net gain (loss), including impairment on equity securities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Dividend income from investments in equity securities is included in interest income.

The amortization of premiums is deducted and the accretion of discounts is added to net interest income based on the interest method over the outstanding period of the related securities. Purchases and sales of securities are recognized on a trade date basis.

Derivative financial instruments

All derivatives are recognized on the Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. The Corporation’s policy is not to offset the fair value amounts recognized for multiple derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement nor to offset the fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from the same master netting arrangement as the derivative instruments.

For a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded net of taxes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and subsequently reclassified to net income (loss) in the same period(s) that the hedged transaction impacts earnings. For free-standing derivative instruments, changes in fair values are reported in current period earnings.

Prior to entering a hedge transaction, the Corporation 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 to specific assets and liabilities on the Statements of Financial Condition or to specific forecasted transactions or firm commitments 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. Hedge accounting is discontinued when the derivative instrument is not highly effective as a hedge, a derivative expires, is sold, terminated, when it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur or when it is determined that it is no longer appropriate. When hedge accounting is discontinued the derivative continues to be carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings.

For non-exchange traded contracts, fair value is based on dealer quotes, pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques for which the determination of fair value may require significant management judgment or estimation.

The fair value of derivative instruments considers the risk of non-performance by the counterparty or the Corporation, as applicable.

The Corporation obtains or pledges collateral in connection with its derivative activities when applicable under the agreement .

Loans

Loans are classified as loans held-in-portfolio when management has the intent and ability to hold the loan for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff. The foreseeable future is a management judgment which is determined based upon the type of loan, business strategies, current market conditions, balance sheet management and liquidity needs. Management’s view of the foreseeable future may change based on changes in these conditions. When a decision is made to sell or securitize a loan that was not originated or initially acquired with the intent to sell or securitize, the loan is reclassified from held-in-portfolio into held-for-sale. Due to changing market conditions or other strategic initiatives, management’s intent with respect to the disposition of the loan may change, and accordingly, loans previously classified as held-for-sale may be reclassified into held-in-portfolio. Loans transferred between loans held-for-sale and held-in-portfolio classifications are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value at the date of transfer.

Purchased loans with no evidence of credit deterioration since origination are recorded at fair value upon acquisition. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value.

Loans held-for-sale are stated at the lower of cost or fair value, cost being determined based on the outstanding loan balance less unearned income, and fair value determined, generally in the aggregate. Fair value is measured based on current market prices for similar loans, outstanding investor commitments, prices of recent sales or discounted cash flow analyses which utilize inputs and assumptions which are believed to be consistent with market participants’ views. The cost basis also includes consideration of deferred origination fees and costs, which are recognized in earnings at the time of sale. Upon reclassification to held-for-sale, credit related fair value adjustments are recorded as a reduction in the ACL. To the extent that the loan's reduction in value has not already been provided for in the ACL, an additional provision for credit losses is recorded. Subsequent to reclassification to held-for-sale, the amount, by which cost exceeds fair value, if any, is accounted for as a valuation allowance with changes therein included in the determination of net income (loss) for the period in which the change occurs.

Loans held-in-portfolio are reported at their outstanding principal balances net of any unearned income, charge-offs, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, and premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Fees collected and costs incurred in the origination of new loans are deferred and amortized using the interest method or a method which approximates the interest method over the term of the loan as an adjustment to interest yield.

The past due status of a loan is determined in accordance with its contractual repayment terms. Furthermore, loans are reported as past due when either interest or principal remains unpaid for 30 days or more in accordance with its contractual repayment terms.

Recognition of interest income on commercial and construction loans is discontinued when the loans are 90 days or more in arrears on payments of principal or interest or when other factors indicate that the collection of principal and interest is doubtful. The portion of a secured loan deemed uncollectible is charged-off no later than 365 days past due. However, in the case of a collateral dependent loan, the excess of the recorded investment over the fair value of the collateral (portion deemed uncollectible) is generally promptly charged-off, but in any event, not later than the quarter following the quarter in which such excess was first recognized. Commercial unsecured loans are charged-off no later than 180 days past due. Recognition of interest income on mortgage loans is generally discontinued when loans are 90 days or more in arrears on payments of principal or interest. The portion of a mortgage loan deemed uncollectible is charged-off when the loan is 180 days past due. The Corporation discontinues the recognition of interest on residential mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) when 15-months delinquent as to principal or interest. The principal repayment on these loans is insured. Recognition of interest income on closed-end consumer loans and home equity lines of credit is discontinued when the loans are 90 days or more in arrears on payments of principal or interest. Income is generally recognized on open-end consumer loans, except for home equity lines of credit, until the loans are charged-off. Recognition of interest income for lease financing is ceased when loans are 90 days or more in arrears. Closed-end consumer loans and leases are charged-off when they

are 120 days in arrears. Open-end (revolving credit) consumer loans are charged-off when 180 days in arrears. Commercial and consumer overdrafts are generally charged-off no later than 60 days past their due date.

A loan classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) is typically in non-accrual status at the time of the modification. The TDR loan continues in non-accrual status until the borrower has demonstrated a willingness and ability to make the restructured loan payments (at least six months of sustained performance after the modification (or one year for loans providing for quarterly or semi-annual payments)) and management has concluded that it is probable that the borrower would not be in payment default in the foreseeable future.

Lease financing

The Corporation leases passenger and commercial vehicles and equipment to individual and corporate customers. The finance method of accounting is used to recognize revenue on lease contracts that meet the criteria specified in the guidance for leases in ASC Topic 842. Aggregate rentals due over the term of the leases less unearned income are included in finance lease contracts receivable. Unearned income is amortized using a method which results in approximate level rates of return on the principal amounts outstanding. Finance lease origination fees and costs are deferred and amortized over the average life of the lease as an adjustment to the interest yield.

Revenue for other leases is recognized as it becomes due under the terms of the agreement.

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

Purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans are defined as those with evidence of a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. PCD loans are initially recorded at its purchase price plus an estimated allowance for credit losses (“ACL”). Upon the acquisition of a PCD loan, the Corporation makes an estimate of the expected credit losses over the remaining contractual term of each individual loan. The estimated credit losses over the life of the loan are recorded as an ACL with a corresponding addition to the loan purchase price. The amount of the purchased premium or discount which is not related to credit risk is amortized over the life of the loan through net interest income using the effective interest method or a method that approximates the effective interest method. Changes in expected credit losses are recorded as an increase or decrease to the ACL with a corresponding charge (reverse) to the provision for credit losses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Upon transition to the individual loan measurement, these loans follow the same nonaccrual policies as non-PCD loans and are therefore no longer excluded from non-performing status. Modifications of PCD loans that meet the definition of a TDR subsequent to the adoption of ASC Topic 326 are accounted and reported as such following the same processes as non-PCD loans.

Prior to the adoption of CECL, loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality were accounted for under ASC 310-30. Loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 included loans for which it was probable, at the date of acquisition, that the Corporation would not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments and loans which the Corporation elected to account under ASC 310-30 by analogy. Under ASC Subtopic 310-30, these loans were aggregated into pools based on loans that have common risk characteristics. Each loan pool was accounted for as a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flows. Characteristics considered in pooling loans included loan type, interest rate type, accruing status, amortization type, rate index and source type. Once the pools were defined, the Corporation maintained the integrity of the pool of multiple loans accounted for as a single asset. Under ASC Subtopic 310-30, the difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the fair value in the loans, or the “accretable yield,” was recognized as interest income using the effective yield method over the estimated life of the loan if the timing and amount of the future cash flows of the pool was reasonably estimable. Therefore, these loans were not considered non-performing. The non-accretable difference represents the difference between contractually required principal and interest and the cash flows expected to be collected. Subsequent to the acquisition date, increases in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date were recognized as a reduction of any ACL established after the acquisition and then as an increase in the accretable yield for the loans prospectively. Decreases in expected cash flows after the acquisition date were recognized by recording an ACL. Charge-offs on loans accounted under ASC Subtopic 310-30 were recorded only to the extent that losses exceeded the non-accretable difference established with purchase accounting.

Refer to Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information with respect to loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality.

Accrued interest receivable

The amortized basis for loans and investments in debt securities is presented exclusive of accrued interest receivable. The Corporation has elected not to establish an ACL for accrued interest receivable for loans and investments in debt securities, given

the Corporation’s non-accrual policies, in which accrual of interest is discontinued and reversed based on the asset’s delinquency status.

Allowance for credit losses – loans portfolio

Since the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, the Corporation establishes an ACL for its loan portfolio based on its estimate of credit losses over the remaining contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments. An ACL is recognized for all loans including originated and purchased loans, since inception, with a corresponding charge to the provision for credit losses, except for PCD loans for which the ACL at acquisition is recorded as an addition to the purchase price with subsequent changes recorded in earnings. Loan losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the ACL.

The Corporation follows a methodology to estimate the ACL which includes a reasonable and supportable forecast period for estimating credit losses, considering quantitative and qualitative factors as well as the economic outlook. As part of this methodology, management evaluates various macroeconomic scenarios provided by third parties. At December 31, 2020, management applied probability weights to the outcome of the selected scenarios. This evaluation includes benchmarking procedures as well as careful analysis of the underlying assumptions used to build the scenarios. The application of probability weights include baseline, optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. The weights applied are subject to evaluation on a quarterly basis as part of the ACL’s governance process. The Corporation considers additional macroeconomic scenarios as part of its qualitative adjustment framework.

The macroeconomic variables chosen to estimate credit losses were selected by combining quantitative procedures with expert judgment. These variables were determined to be the best predictors of expected credit losses within the Corporation’s loan portfolios and include drivers such as unemployment rate, different measures of employment levels, house prices, gross domestic product and measures of disposable income, amongst others. The loss estimation framework includes a reasonable and supportable period of 2 years for PR portfolios, gradually reverting, over a 1-year horizon, to historical macroeconomic variables at the model input level. For the US portfolio the reasonable and supportable period considers the contractual life of the asset, impacted by prepayments, except for the US CRE portfolio. The US CRE portfolio utilizes a 2-year reasonable and supportable period gradually reverting, over a 1-year horizon, to historical information at the output level.

The Corporation developed loan level quantitative models distributed by geography and loan type. This segmentation was determined by evaluating their risk characteristics, which include default patterns, source of repayment, type of collateral, and lending channels, amongst others. The modeling framework includes competing risk models to generate lifetime defaults and prepayments, and other loan level modeling techniques to estimate loss severity. Recoveries on future losses are contemplated as part of the loss severity modeling. These parameters are estimated by combining internal risk factors with macroeconomic expectations. In order to generate the expected credit losses, the output of these models is combined with loan level repayment information. The internal risk factors contemplated within the models may include borrowers’ credit scores, loan-to-value, delinquency status, risk ratings, interest rate, loan term, loan age and type of collateral, amongst others.

The ACL also includes a qualitative framework that addresses two main components: losses that are expected but not captured within the quantitative modeling framework, and model imprecision. In order to identify potential losses that are not captured through the models, management evaluated model limitations as well as the different risks covered by the variables used in each quantitative model. The Corporation considered additional macroeconomic scenarios to address these risks. This assessment took into consideration factors listed as part of ASC 326-20-55-4. To complement the analysis, management also evaluated sectors that have low levels of historical defaults, but current conditions show the potential for future losses. This type of qualitative adjustment is more prevalent in the commercial portfolios. The model imprecision component of the qualitative adjustments is determined after evaluating model performance for these portfolios through different time periods. This type of qualitative adjustment mainly impacts consumer portfolios.

In the case of troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), the established framework captures the impact of concessions through discounting modified contractual cash flows, both principal and interest, at the loan’s original effective rate. The impact of these

concessions is combined with the expected credit losses generated by the quantitative loss models in order to arrive at the ACL. As a result, the ACL related to TDRs is impacted by the expected macroeconomic conditions.

The Credit Cards portfolio, due to its revolving nature, does not have a specified maturity date. To estimate the average remaining term of this segment, management evaluated the portfolios payment behavior based on internal historical data. These payment behaviors were further classified into sub-categories that accounted for delinquency history and differences between transactors, revolvers and customers that have exhibited mixed transactor/revolver behavior. Transactors are defined as active accounts without any finance charge in the last 6 months. The paydown curves generated for each sub-category are applied to the outstanding exposure at the measurement date using the first-in first-out (FIFO) methodology. These amortization patterns are combined with loan level default and loss severity modeling to arrive at the ACL.

Prior to the adoption of CECL, the Corporation followed a systematic methodology to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the ACL to provide for probable losses in the loan portfolio in accordance with the guidance of loss contingencies in ASC Subtopic 450-20 and loan impairment guidance in ASC Section 310-10-35. This methodology included the consideration of factors such as current economic conditions, portfolio risk characteristics, prior loss experience and results of periodic credit reviews of individual loans. According to the loan impairment accounting guidance in ASC Section 310-10-35, a loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the principal and/or interest are not going to be collected according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Current information and events include “environmental” factors, e.g. existing industry, geographical, economic and political factors. Probable means the future event or events which will confirm the loss or impairment of the loan is likely to occur. Previously, under ASC Section 310-10-35, an allowance for loan impairment was recognized to the extent that the carrying value of an impaired loan exceeded the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective rate, the observable market price of the loan, if available, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan was collateral dependent.

Troubled debt restructurings

A restructuring constitutes a TDR when the Corporation separately concludes that both of the following conditions exist: 1) the restructuring constitute a concession and 2) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. The concessions stem from an agreement between the Corporation and the debtor or are imposed by law or a court. These concessions could include a reduction in the interest rate on the loan, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions intended to maximize collection. A concession has been granted when, as a result of the restructuring, the Corporation does not expect to collect all amounts due, including interest accrued at the original contract rate. If the payment of principal is dependent on the value of collateral, the current value of the collateral is taken into consideration in determining the amount of principal to be collected; therefore, all factors that changed are considered to determine if a concession was granted, including the change in the fair value of the underlying collateral that may be used to repay the loan. Classification of loan modifications as TDRs involves a degree of judgment. Indicators that the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties which are considered include: (i) the borrower is currently in default on any of its debt or it is probable that the borrower would be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification; (ii) the borrower has declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy; (iii) there is significant doubt as to whether the borrower will continue to be a going concern; (iv) the borrower has securities that have been delisted, are in the process of being delisted, or are under threat of being delisted from an exchange; (v) based on estimates and projections that only encompass the borrower’s current business capabilities, it is forecasted that the entity-specific cash flows will be insufficient to service the debt (both interest and principal) in accordance with the contractual terms of the existing agreement through maturity; and (vi) absent the current modification, the borrower cannot obtain funds from sources other than the existing creditors at an effective interest rate equal to the current market interest rate for similar debt for a non-troubled debtor. The identification of TDRs is critical in the determination of the adequacy of the ACL. Loans classified as TDRs may be excluded from TDR status if performance under the restructured terms exists for a reasonable period (at least twelve months of sustained performance) and the loan yields a market rate.

A loan may be restructured in a troubled debt restructuring into two (or more) loan agreements, for example, Note A and Note B. Note A represents the portion of the original loan principal amount that is expected to be fully collected along with contractual interest. Note B represents the portion of the original loan that may be considered uncollectible and charged-off, but the obligation is not forgiven to the borrower. Note A may be returned to accrual status provided all of the conditions for a TDR to be returned to accrual status are met. The modified loans are considered TDRs.

Refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional qualitative information on TDRs and the Corporation’s determination of the ACL.

Reserve for unfunded commitments

The Corporation establishes a reserve for unfunded commitments, based on the estimated losses over the remaining term of the facility. Since the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020, an allowance is not established for commitments that are unconditionally cancellable by the Corporation. Accordingly, no reserve is established for unfunded commitments related to its credit cards portfolio. Reserve for the unfunded portion of credit commitments is presented within other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as provision for credit losses for the current year and as other operating expenses for prior years.

Transfers and servicing of financial assets

The transfer of an entire financial asset, a group of entire financial assets, or a participating interest in an entire financial asset in which the Corporation surrenders control over the assets is accounted for as a sale if all of the following conditions set forth in ASC Topic 860 are met: (1) the assets must be isolated from creditors of the transferor, (2) the transferee must obtain 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 cannot maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. When the Corporation transfers financial assets and the transfer fails any one of these criteria, the Corporation is prevented from derecognizing the transferred financial assets and the transaction is accounted for as a secured borrowing. For federal and Puerto Rico income tax purposes, the Corporation treats the transfers of loans which do not qualify as “true sales” under the applicable accounting guidance, as sales, recognizing a deferred tax asset or liability on the transaction.

For transfers of financial assets that satisfy the conditions to be accounted for as sales, the Corporation derecognizes all assets sold; recognizes all assets obtained and liabilities incurred in consideration as proceeds of the sale, including servicing assets and servicing liabilities, if applicable; initially measures at fair value assets obtained and liabilities incurred in a sale; and recognizes in earnings any gain or loss on the sale.

The guidance on transfer of financial assets requires a true sale analysis of the treatment of the transfer under state law as if the Corporation was a debtor under the bankruptcy code. A true sale legal analysis includes several legally relevant factors, such as the nature and level of recourse to the transferor, and the nature of retained interests in the loans sold. The analytical conclusion as to a true sale is never absolute and unconditional, but contains qualifications based on the inherent equitable powers of a bankruptcy court, as well as the unsettled state of the common law. Once the legal isolation test has been met, other factors concerning the nature and extent of the transferor’s control over the transferred assets are taken into account in order to determine whether derecognition of assets is warranted.

The Corporation sells mortgage loans to the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) in the normal course of business and retains the servicing rights. The GNMA programs under which the loans are sold allow the Corporation to repurchase individual delinquent loans that meet certain criteria. At the Corporation’s option, and without GNMA’s prior authorization, the Corporation may repurchase the delinquent loan for an amount equal to 100% of the remaining principal balance of the loan. Once the Corporation has the unconditional ability to repurchase the delinquent loan, the Corporation is deemed to have regained effective control over the loan and recognizes the loan on its balance sheet as well as an offsetting liability, regardless of the Corporation’s intent to repurchase the loan.

Servicing assets

The Corporation periodically sells or securitizes loans while retaining the obligation to perform the servicing of such loans. In addition, the Corporation may purchase or assume the right to service loans originated by others. Whenever the Corporation undertakes an obligation to service a loan, management assesses whether a servicing asset or liability should be recognized. A servicing asset is recognized whenever the compensation for servicing is expected to more than adequately compensate the servicer for performing the servicing. Likewise, a servicing liability would be recognized in the event that servicing fees to be received are not expected to adequately compensate the Corporation for its expected cost. Mortgage servicing assets recorded at fair value are separately presented on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

All separately recognized servicing assets are initially recognized at fair value. For subsequent measurement of servicing rights, the Corporation has elected the fair value method for mortgage loans servicing rights (“MSRs”). Under the fair value measurement method, MSRs are recorded at fair value each reporting period, and changes in fair value are reported in mortgage banking activities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Contractual servicing fees including ancillary income and late fees, as well as fair value adjustments, are reported in mortgage banking activities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Loan servicing fees, which are based on a percentage of the principal balances of the loans serviced, are credited to income as loan payments are collected.

The fair value of servicing rights is estimated by using a cash flow valuation model which calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, taking into consideration actual and expected loan prepayment rates, discount rates, servicing costs, and other economic factors, which are determined based on current market conditions.

Premises and equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each type of asset. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Costs of maintenance and repairs which do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. Costs of renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are disposed of, their cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in earnings as realized or incurred, respectively.

The Corporation capitalizes interest cost incurred in the construction of significant real estate projects, which consist primarily of facilities for its own use or intended for lease. The amount of interest cost capitalized is to be an allocation of the interest cost incurred during the period required to substantially complete the asset. The interest rate for capitalization purposes is to be based on a weighted average rate on the Corporation’s outstanding borrowings, unless there is a specific new borrowing associated with the asset. Interest cost capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was not significant.

The Corporation recognizes right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”) and lease liabilities relating to operating and finance lease arrangements in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition within other assets and other liabilities, respectively. For finance leases, interest is recognized on the lease liability separately from the amortization of the ROU asset, whereas for operating leases a single lease cost is recognized so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a straight-line basis. Impairments on ROU assets are evaluated under the guidance for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The Corporation recognizes gains on sale and leaseback transactions in earnings when the transfer constitutes a sale, and the transaction was at fair value. Refer to Note 32 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on operating and finance lease arrangements.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Corporation evaluates for impairment its long-lived assets to be held and used, and long-lived assets to be disposed of, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Other real estate

Other real estate, received in satisfaction of a loan, is recorded at fair value less estimated costs of disposal. The difference between the carrying amount of the loan and the fair value less cost to sell is recorded as an adjustment to the ACL. Subsequent to foreclosure, any losses in the carrying value arising from periodic re-evaluations of the properties, and any gains or losses on the sale of these properties are credited or charged to expense in the period incurred and are included as OREO expenses. The cost of maintaining and operating such properties is expensed as incurred.

Updated appraisals are obtained to adjust the value of the other real estate assets. The frequency depends on the loan type and total credit exposure. The appraisal for a commercial or construction other real estate property with a book value equal to or greater than $1 million is updated annually and if lower than $1 million it is updated every two years. For residential mortgage properties, the Corporation requests appraisals annually.

Appraisals may be adjusted due to age, collateral inspections, property profiles, or general market conditions. The adjustments applied are based upon internal information such as other appraisals for the type of properties and/or loss severity information that can provide historical trends in the real estate market, and may change from time to time based on market conditions.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill is recognized when the purchase price is higher than the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations under the purchase method of accounting. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate possible impairment. If the carrying amount of any of the reporting units exceeds its fair value, the Corporation would be required to record an impairment charge for the difference up to the amount of the goodwill. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-04 on January 1, 2020, the goodwill impairment test consisted of a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If needed, the second step consists of comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. In determining the fair value of each reporting unit, the Corporation generally uses a combination of methods, including market price multiples of comparable companies and

transactions, as well as discounted cash flow analysis. Goodwill impairment losses are recorded as part of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite life are not amortized, but are tested for impairment using a one-step process which compares the fair value with the carrying amount of the asset. In determining that an intangible asset has an indefinite life, the Corporation considers expected cash inflows and legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic and other factors, which could limit the intangible asset’s useful life.

Other identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life, mainly core deposits, are amortized using various methods over the periods benefited, which range from 5 to 10 years. These intangibles are evaluated periodically for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairments on intangible assets with a finite useful life are evaluated under the guidance for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets.

Assets sold / purchased under agreements to repurchase / resell

Repurchase and resell agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at the amounts at which the assets will be subsequently reacquired or resold as specified in the respective agreements.

It is the Corporation’s policy to take possession of securities purchased under agreements to resell. However, the counterparties to such agreements maintain effective control over such securities, and accordingly those securities are not reflected in the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Corporation monitors the fair value of the underlying securities as compared to the related receivable, including accrued interest.

It is the Corporation’s policy to maintain effective control over assets sold under agreements to repurchase; accordingly, such securities continue to be carried on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Corporation may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate.

Software

Capitalized software is stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Capitalized software includes purchased software and capitalizable application development costs associated with internally-developed software. Amortization, computed on a straight-line method, is charged to operations over the estimated useful life of the software. Capitalized software is included in “Other assets” in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

Guarantees, including indirect guarantees of indebtedness to others

The estimated losses to be absorbed under the credit recourse arrangements are recorded as a liability when the loans are sold and are updated by accruing or reversing expense (categorized in the line item “Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations) throughout the life of the loan, as necessary, when additional relevant information becomes available. The recourse liability is estimated using loan level statistical techniques. Internal factors that are evaluated include customer credit scores, refreshed loan-to-values, loan age, and outstanding balance, amongst others. The methodology leverages the expected loss framework for mortgage loans and includes macroeconomic expectations based on a 2-year reasonable and supportable period, gradually reverting over a 1-year horizon to historical macroeconomic variables at the input level. Estimated future defaults, prepayments and loss severity are combined with loan level repayment information in order to estimate lifetime expected losses for this portfolio. The reserve for the estimated losses under the credit recourse arrangements is presented separately within other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Refer to Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further disclosures on guarantees.

Treasury stock

Treasury stock is recorded at cost and is carried as a reduction of stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. At the date of retirement or subsequent reissue, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock. At retirement, the excess of the cost of the treasury stock over its par value is recorded entirely to surplus. At reissuance, the difference between the consideration received upon issuance and the specific cost is charged or credited to surplus.

Revenues from contract with customers

Refer to Note 31 for a detailed description of the Corporation’s policies on the recognition and presentation of revenues from contract with customers.

Foreign exchange

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars using prevailing rates of exchange at the end of the period. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using weighted average rates for the period. The resulting

foreign currency translation adjustment from operations for which the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar is reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss, except for highly inflationary environments in which the effects are included in other operating expenses.

The Corporation holds interests in Centro Financiero BHD León, S.A. (“BHD León”) in the Dominican Republic. The business of BHD León is mainly conducted in their country’s foreign currency. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment from these operations is reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Refer to the disclosure of accumulated other comprehensive loss included in Note 21.

Income taxes

The Corporation recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Corporation’s financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined for differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. The computation is based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to periods in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

The guidance for income taxes requires a reduction of the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not (defined as a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically by the Corporation based on the more likely than not realization threshold criterion. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among others, all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, the future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, taxable income in carryback years and tax-planning strategies. In making such assessments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.

The valuation of deferred tax assets requires judgment in assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Corporation’s financial statements or tax returns and future profitability. The Corporation’s accounting for deferred tax consequences represents management’s best estimate of those future events.

Positions taken in the Corporation’s tax returns may be subject to challenge by the taxing authorities upon examination. Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities, assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. The amount of unrecognized tax benefit may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons including adding amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open income tax returns due to the statute of limitations, changes in management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, including addition or elimination of uncertain tax positions, status of examinations, litigation, settlements with tax authorities and legislative activity.

The Corporation accounts for the taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis (excluded from revenues).

Income tax expense or benefit for the year is allocated among continuing operations, discontinued operations, and other comprehensive income, as applicable. The amount allocated to continuing operations is the tax effect of the pre-tax income or loss from continuing operations that occurred during the year, plus or minus income tax effects of (a) changes in circumstances that cause a change in judgment about the realization of deferred tax assets in future years, (b) changes in tax laws or rates, (c) changes in tax status, and (d) tax-deductible dividends paid to shareholders, subject to certain exceptions.

Employees’ retirement and other postretirement benefit plans

Pension costs are computed on the basis of accepted actuarial methods and are charged to current operations. Net pension costs are based on various actuarial assumptions regarding future experience under the plan, which include costs for services rendered during the period, interest costs and return on plan assets, as well as deferral and amortization of certain items such as actuarial gains or losses.

The funding policy is to contribute to the plan, as necessary, to provide for services to date and for those expected to be earned in the future. To the extent that these requirements are fully covered by assets in the plan, a contribution may not be made in a particular year.

The cost of postretirement benefits, which is determined based on actuarial assumptions and estimates of the costs of providing these benefits in the future, is accrued during the years that the employee renders the required service.

The guidance for compensation retirement benefits of ASC Topic 715 requires the recognition of the funded status of each defined pension benefit plan, retiree health care and other postretirement benefit plans on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Stock-based compensation

The Corporation opted to use the fair value method of recording stock-based compensation as described in the guidance for employee share plans in ASC Subtopic 718-50.

Comprehensive income

Comprehensive income (loss) 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. Comprehensive income (loss) is separately presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Net income per common share

Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income adjusted for preferred stock dividends, including undeclared or unpaid dividends if cumulative, and charges or credits related to the extinguishment of preferred stock or induced conversions of preferred stock, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted income per common share takes into consideration the weighted average common shares adjusted for the effect of stock options, restricted stock, performance shares and warrants, if any, using the treasury stock method.

Statement of cash flows

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash includes cash on hand and amounts due from banks, including restricted cash.

Note 3 - New accounting pronouncements


Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Updates

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
FASB ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope	The FASB issued ASU 2021-01 in January 2021 which, among others, permits entities to elect certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 when accounting for derivative contracts and certain hedging relationships affected by the discounting transition.	December 31, 2020	The Corporation was not impacted by the adoption of ASU 2021-01 since it does not hold derivatives affected by the discounting transition.
FASB ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments	The FASB issued ASU 2020-03 in March 2020, which, among other things, provides clarification on issues related to the term that should be used to measure expected credit losses of net investments in leases and that an allowance for credit losses should be recorded once control of financial assets has been regained.	January 1, 2020	The Corporation was not impacted by the adoption of ASU 2020-03 during the first quarter of 2020.
FASB ASU 2019-08, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Codification Improvements – Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer	The FASB issued ASU 2019-08 in November 2019, which requires that an entity measure and classify share-based payment awards granted to a customer in accordance with Topic 718. Therefore, the grant-date fair value of the share-based payment awards will be the basis for the reduction of the transaction price.	January 1, 2020	The Corporation was not impacted by the adoption of ASU 2019-08 during the first quarter of 2020 since it does not grant shared-based payments awards to its customers.


Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
FASB ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606	The FASB issued ASU 2018-18 in November 2018 which, among other things, provides guidance on how to assess whether certain collaborative arrangement transactions should be accounted for under Topic 606.	January 1, 2020	The Corporation was not impacted by the adoption of ASU 2018-18 during the first quarter of 2020 since it does not have collaborative arrangements.
FASB ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities	The FASB issued ASU 2018-17 in October 2018, which requires entities to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis rather than as the equivalent of a direct interest in its entirety when determining whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest.	January 1, 2020	The Corporation was not impacted by the adoption of ASU 2018-17 during the first quarter of 2020.
FASB ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract	The FASB issued ASU 2018-15 in August 2018 which, among other things, aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, and clarifies the term over which such capitalized implementation costs should be amortized.	January 1, 2020	The Corporation adopted ASU 2018-15 during the first quarter of 2020 and was not significantly impacted, since it applied the existing guidance and capitalized implementation costs of cloud computing arrangements. Capitalized implementation costs of cloud computing arrangements are presented as part of “Other assets”. Refer to amended disclosures on Note 13, Other assets.


Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
FASB ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment	The FASB issued ASU 2017-04 in January 2017, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 of the two-step goodwill impairment test under the current guidance. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. Entities will be required to disclose the amount of goodwill at reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.	January 1, 2020	The Corporation adopted ASU 2017-04 during the first quarter of 2020 and, as such, considered this guidance when performing the annual impairment test during 2020. Refer to Note 14, Goodwill and other intangible assets, for additional information.
FASB ASU 2017-03, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250) and Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the September 22, 2016 and November 17, 2016 EITF Meetings (SEC Update)	The FASB issued ASU 2017-03 in January 2017, which incorporates into the Accounting Standards Codification recent SEC guidance about certain investments in qualified affordable housing and disclosing under SEC SAB Topic 11.M the effect on financial statements of adopting the revenue, leases and credit losses standards.	January 1, 2020	The Corporation has considered the guidance in this Update in its disclosures on the effect in its consolidated financial statements of adoption of the new Credit Loss Standard, discussed below.

FASB ASUs Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)

Since June 2016, the FASB has issued a series of ASUs mainly related to credit losses (Topic 326), which replace the incurred loss model with a current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost that are subject to credit losses and certain off-balance sheet exposures. CECL establishes a forward-looking methodology that reflects the expected credit losses over the lives of financial assets, starting when such assets are first acquired or originated. Under the revised methodology, credit losses will be measured based on past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of financial assets. CECL also revises the approach to recognizing credit losses for available-for-sale securities by replacing the direct write-down approach with the allowance approach and limiting the allowance to the amount at which the security’s fair value is less than the amortized cost. In addition, CECL provides that the initial allowance for credit losses on purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) financial assets will be recorded as an increase to the purchase price, with subsequent changes to the allowance recorded as a credit loss expense. The amendments to Topic 326 include the areas of accrued interest receivable, transfers of loans and debt securities between classifications and the inclusion of expected recoveries in the allowance for credit losses including PCD assets. The standards also expand credit quality disclosures. These accounting standards updates were effective on January 1, 2020.

The Corporation adopted the new CECL accounting standard effective on January 1, 2020. As a result of the adoption, the Corporation recorded an increase in its allowance for credit losses related to its loan portfolio of $315 million, and a decrease of $9 million in the allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments and credit recourse guarantees which is recorded in Other Liabilities. The Corporation also recognized an allowance for credit losses of approximately $13 million related to its held-to-maturity debt securities portfolio. The adoption of CECL was recognized under the modified retrospective approach. Therefore, the adjustments to record the increase in the allowance for credit losses was recorded as a decrease to the opening balance of retained earnings of the year of implementation, net of income taxes, except for approximately $17 million related to loans previously accounted under ASC Subtopic 310-30, which resulted in a reclassification between certain contra loan balance accounts to the allowance for credit losses. The total impact to retained earnings, net of tax, related to the adoption of CECL was of $ 205.8 million.

As part of the adoption of CECL, the Corporation has made the election to break the existing pools of purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans previously accounted for under the ASC Subtopic 310-30 guidance. These loans are now accounted for on an individual loan basis under the PCD accounting methodology under CECL. Following the applicable accounting guidance, PCI loans were previously excluded from non-performing status. Upon transition to the individual loan measurement, these loans are no longer excluded from non-performing status, resulting in an increase of $278 million in NPLs at January 1, 2020. This increase included $144 million in loans that were over 90 days past due and $134 million in loans that were not delinquent in their payment terms but were reported as non-performing due to other credit quality considerations.

The Corporation availed itself of the option to phase in over a period of three years, beginning on January 1, 2022, the day-one effects on regulatory capital arising from the adoption of CECL. The Corporation was also impacted by the additional disclosures required by CECL. The CECL accounting standard also requires additional disclosures related to delinquencies, collateral types and other credit metrics for loans and investments. Refer to Note 6, Debt securities held- to- maturity, Note 7 -Loans and Note 8- Allowance for credit losses - loans held-in-portfolio for additional disclosures provided in compliance with the new CECL standard.


Accounting Standards Updates Not Yet Adopted

Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
FASB ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements	The FASB issued ASU 2020-10 in October 2020 which moves all disclosure guidance to the appropriate codification section and makes other improvements and technical corrections.	December 31, 2021	The Corporation does not expect to be impacted as a result of the adoption of this accounting pronouncement.
FASB ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20 – Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs	The FASB issued ASU 2020-08 in October 2020 which clarifies that a reporting entity should assess whether a callable debt security purchased at a premium is within the scope of ASC 310-20-35-33 each reporting period, which impacts the amortization period for nonrefundable fees and other costs.	January 1, 2021	The Corporation will not be impacted by the adoption of this accounting pronouncement since it does not currently hold purchased callable debt securities at a premium.
FASB ASU 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity	The FASB issued ASU 2020-06 in August 2020 which, among other things, simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity and amends the diluted EPS computation for these instruments.	January 1, 2022	Upon adoption of this standard, the Corporation will consider these amendments in its evaluation of contracts in its own equity, including accelerated share repurchase transactions.


Standard	Description	Date of adoption	Effect on the financial statements
FASB ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)	The FASB issued ASU 2020-04 in March 2020, which provides accounting relief from the future impact of the cessation of LIBOR by, among other things, providing optional expedients to treat contract modifications resulting from such reference rate reform as a continuation of the existing contract and for hedging relationships to not be de-designated resulting from such changes provided certain criteria are met.	December 31, 2022	The Corporation is currently in the process of identifying its LIBOR-based contracts that will be impacted by the cessation of LIBOR, incorporating fallback language in negotiated contracts and incorporating non-LIBOR reference rate and/or fallback language in new contracts to prepare for these changes. Notwithstanding these efforts, the Corporation expects to utilize the optional expedients provided by ASU 2020-04 for contracts left unmodified.
FASB ASU 2020-01, Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323 and Topic 815	The FASB issued ASU 2020-01 in January 2020, which clarifies that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 and includes scope considerations for entities that hold certain non-derivative forward contracts and purchased options to acquire equity securities that, upon settlement of the forward contract or exercise of the purchase option, would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting.	January 1, 2021	The Corporation does not expect to be materially impacted by these amendments.
FASB ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	The FASB issued ASU 2019-12 in December 2019, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions such as the incremental approach for intraperiod tax allocation and interim period income tax accounting for year-to-date losses that exceed anticipated losses. In addition, the ASU simplifies GAAP in a number of areas such as when separate financial statements of legal entities are not subject to tax and enacted changes in tax laws in interim periods.	January 1, 2021	The Corporation does not anticipate that the adoption of this accounting pronouncement will have a material effect on its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

100

Note 4 - Restrictions on cash and due from banks and certain securities

The Corporation’s banking subsidiaries, BPPR and PB, are required by federal and state regulatory agencies to maintain average reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Fed”) or other banks. Those required average reserve balances amounted to $ 2.3 billion at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $ 1.6 billion). Cash and due from banks, as well as other highly liquid securities, are used to cover the required average reserve balances.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation held $39 million in restricted assets in the form of funds deposited in money market accounts, debt securities available for sale and equity securities (December 31, 2019 - $ 52 million). The restricted assets held in debt securities available for sale and equity securities consist primarily of assets held for the Corporation’s non-qualified retirement plans and fund deposits guaranteeing possible liens or encumbrances over the title of insured properties.

101

Note 5 – Debt securities available-for-sale

The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, approximate fair value, weighted average yield and contractual maturities of debt securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

		At December 31, 2020
				Gross		Gross				Weighted
		Amortized		unrealized		unrealized		Fair		average
(In thousands)		cost		gains		losses		value		yield
U.S. Treasury securities
	Within 1 year	$	4,900,055	$	16,479	$	-	$	4,916,534	0.69	%
	After 1 to 5 years		5,007,223		259,399		-		5,266,622	2.05
	After 5 to 10 years		567,367		37,517		-		604,884	1.68
Total U.S. Treasury securities			10,474,645		313,395		-		10,788,040	1.40
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities
	Within 1 year		59,993		101		-		60,094	1.46
	After 1 to 5 years		90		-		-		90	5.64
Total obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities			60,083		101		-		60,184	1.47
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
	After 1 to 5 years		1,388		14		-		1,402	2.97
	After 5 to 10 years		61,229		1,050		-		62,279	1.56
	After 10 years		318,292		10,202		43		328,451	2.04
Total collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies			380,909		11,266		43		392,132	1.97
Mortgage-backed securities
	Within 1 year		5,616		56		-		5,672	2.83
	After 1 to 5 years		50,393		1,735		-		52,128	2.35
	After 5 to 10 years		454,880		20,022		6		474,896	1.91
	After 10 years		9,608,860		180,844		1,839		9,787,865	1.94
Total mortgage-backed securities			10,119,749		202,657		1,845		10,320,561	1.94
Other
	After 1 to 5 years		224		11		-		235	3.62
Total other			224		11		-		235	3.62
Total debt securities available-for-sale^[1]		$	21,035,610	$	527,430	$	1,888	$	21,561,152	1.66	%
[1]	Includes $18.2 billion pledged to secure government and trust deposits, assets sold under agreements to repurchase, credit facilities and loan servicing agreements that the secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral, of which $16.9 billion serve as collateral for public funds.

102

		At December 31, 2019
				Gross		Gross				Weighted
		Amortized		unrealized		unrealized		Fair		average
(In thousands)		cost		gains		losses		value		yield
U.S. Treasury securities
	Within 1 year	$	5,071,201	$	3,262	$	567	$	5,073,896	1.58	%
	After 1 to 5 years		5,137,804		75,597		3,435		5,209,966	2.19
	After 5 to 10 years		1,778,568		429		6,604		1,772,393	1.70
Total U.S. Treasury securities			11,987,573		79,288		10,606		12,056,255	1.86
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities
	Within 1 year		62,492		2		21		62,473	1.45
	After 1 to 5 years		60,021		-		90		59,931	1.48
Total obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities			122,513		2		111		122,404	1.47
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
	Within 1 year		6,975		-		-		6,975	-
Total obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions			6,975		-		-		6,975	-
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
	Within 1 year		236		-		-		236	1.83
	After 1 to 5 years		350		1		-		351	2.16
	After 5 to 10 years		85,079		31		1,180		83,930	1.63
	After 10 years		504,391		3,640		6,373		501,658	2.08
Total collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies			590,056		3,672		7,553		586,175	2.02
Mortgage-backed securities
	Within 1 year		16		-		-		16	2.13
	After 1 to 5 years		36,717		852		1		37,568	3.38
	After 5 to 10 years		350,373		1,958		1,303		351,028	2.02
	After 10 years		4,447,561		60,384		20,243		4,487,702	2.60
Total mortgage-backed securities			4,834,667		63,194		21,547		4,876,314	2.57
Other
	After 1 to 5 years		341		9		-		350	3.62
Total other			341		9		-		350	3.62
Total debt securities available-for-sale^[1]		$	17,542,125	$	146,165	$	39,817	$	17,648,473	2.05	%
[1]	Includes $12.2 billion pledged to secure government and trust deposits, assets sold under agreements to repurchase, credit facilities and loan servicing agreements that the secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral, of which $10.9 billion serve as collateral for public funds.

The weighted average yield on debt securities available-for-sale is based on amortized cost; therefore, it does not give effect to changes in fair value.

Securities not due on a single contractual maturity date, such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, are classified in the period of final contractual maturity. The expected maturities of collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and certain other securities may differ from their contractual maturities because they may be subject to prepayments or may be called by the issuer.

The following table presents the aggregate amortized cost and fair value of debt securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2020 by contractual maturity.

(In thousands)		Amortized cost		Fair value
Within 1 year	$	4,965,664	$	4,982,300
After 1 to 5 years		5,059,318		5,320,477
After 5 to 10 years		1,083,476		1,142,059
After 10 years		9,927,152		10,116,316
Total debt securities available-for-sale	$	21,035,610	$	21,561,152

103

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Corporation sold U.S. Treasury Notes and U.S. Treasury Bills, respectively. The proceeds from these sales were $5 million and $ 99 million, respectively. Gross realized gains and losses on the sale of debt securities available-for-sale for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

(In thousands)		2020		2019		2018
Gross realized gains	$	41	$	-	$	-
Gross realized losses		-		(20)		-
Net realized gains (losses) on sale of debt securities available-for-sale	$	41	$	(20)	$	-

The following tables present the Corporation’s fair value and gross unrealized losses of debt securities available-for-sale, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

	At December 31, 2020
	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
	Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized
(In thousands)	value		losses		value		losses		value		losses
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies	$	4,029	$	43	$	-	$	-	$	4,029	$	43
Mortgage-backed securities		886,432		1,834		555		11		886,987		1,845
Total debt securities available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position	$	890,461	$	1,877	$	555	$	11	$	891,016	$	1,888

	At December 31, 2019
	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
	Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized
(In thousands)	value		losses		value		losses		value		losses
U.S. Treasury securities	$	2,439,114	$	9,798	$	452,784	$	808	$	2,891,898	$	10,606
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities		9,973		4		99,846		107		109,819		111
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies		114,603		537		310,315		7,016		424,918		7,553
Mortgage-backed securities		179,312		693		1,784,414		20,854		1,963,726		21,547
Total debt securities available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position	$	2,743,002	$	11,032	$	2,647,359	$	28,785	$	5,390,361	$	39,817

As of December 31, 2020, the portfolio of available-for-sale debt securities reflects gross unrealized losses of approximately $2 million, driven mainly by mortgage-backed securities.

The following table states the name of issuers, and the aggregate amortized cost and fair value of the debt securities of such issuer (includes available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities), in which the aggregate amortized cost of such securities exceeds 10% of stockholders’ equity. This information excludes debt securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Investments in obligations issued by a state of the U.S. and its political subdivisions and agencies, which are payable and secured by the same source of revenue or taxing authority, other than the U.S. Government, are considered securities of a single issuer.

		2020				2019

(In thousands)	Amortized cost		Fair value		Amortized cost		Fair value
FNMA	$	2,242,121	$	2,338,897	$	3,113,373	$	3,129,538
Freddie Mac		3,616,238		3,675,679		1,623,116		1,638,796

104

Note 6 –Debt securities held-to-maturity

		At December 31, 2020
					Allowance			Gross		Gross				Weighted
		Amortized			for Credit		Net of	unrealized		unrealized		Fair		average
(In thousands)		cost			Losses		Allowance	gains		losses		value		yield
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
	Within 1 year	$	3,990	$	50	$	3,940	$	47	$	-	$	3,987	6.05	%
	After 1 to 5 years		16,030		710		15,320		710		-		16,030	6.16
	After 5 to 10 years		14,845		573		14,272		295		23		14,544	2.77
	After 10 years		46,164		8,928		37,236		11,501		-		48,737	1.58
Total obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions			81,029		10,261		70,768		12,553		23		83,298	2.93
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
	After 1 to 5 years		31		-		31		1		-		32	6.44
Total collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies			31		-		31		1		-		32	6.44
Securities in wholly owned statutory business trusts
	After 10 years		11,561		-		11,561		-		-		11,561	6.51
Total securities in wholly owned statutory business trusts			11,561		-		11,561		-		-		11,561	6.51
Total debt securities held-to-maturity		$	92,621	$	10,261	$	82,360	$	12,554	$	23	$	94,891	3.38	%

		At December 31, 2019
				Gross		Gross				Weighted
		Amortized		unrealized		unrealized		Fair		average
(In thousands)		cost		gains		losses		value		yield
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
	Within 1 year	$	3,745	$	-	$	11	$	3,734	6.01	%
	After 1 to 5 years		17,580		-		320		17,260	6.11
	After 5 to 10 years		18,195		-		1,607		16,588	3.11
	After 10 years		46,036		9,384		-		55,420	1.67
Total obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions			85,556		9,384		1,938		93,002	3.08
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies
	After 1 to 5 years		45		2		-		47	6.44
Total collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies			45		2		-		47	6.44
Securities in wholly owned statutory business trusts
	After 10 years		11,561		-		-		11,561	6.51
Total securities in wholly owned statutory business trusts			11,561		-		-		11,561	6.51
Other
	Within 1 year		500		-		-		500	2.97
Total other			500		-		-		500	2.97
Total debt securities held-to-maturity		$	97,662	$	9,386	$	1,938	$	105,110	3.49	%

Securities not due on a single contractual maturity date, such as collateralized mortgage obligations, are classified in the period of final contractual maturity. The expected maturities of collateralized mortgage obligations and certain other securities may differ from their contractual maturities because they may be subject to prepayments or may be called by the issuer.

The following table presents the aggregate amortized cost and fair value of debt securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 by contractual maturity.

105

(In thousands)		Amortized cost		Fair value
Within 1 year	$	3,990	$	3,987
After 1 to 5 years		16,061		16,062
After 5 to 10 years		14,845		14,544
After 10 years		57,725		60,298
Total debt securities held-to-maturity	$	92,621	$	94,891

The following tables present the Corporation’s fair value and gross unrealized losses of debt securities held-to-maturity, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2019 .


	At December 31, 2019
	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
			Gross				Gross				Gross
	Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized
(In thousands)	value		losses		value		losses		value		losses
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions	$	17,544	$	291	$	12,673	$	1,647	$	30,217	$	1,938
Total debt securities held-to-maturity in an unrealized loss position	$	17,544	$	291	$	12,673	$	1,647	$	30,217	$	1,938

Credit Quality Indicators

The following describes the credit quality indicators by major security type that the Corporation considers in its’ estimate to develop the allowance for credit losses for investment securities held-to-maturity.

The “Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions” classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 includes securities issued by municipalities of Puerto Rico that are generally not rated by a credit rating agency. This includes $35 million of general and special obligation bonds issued by three municipalities of Puerto Rico, which are payable primarily from certain property taxes imposed by the issuing municipality. In the case of general obligations, they also benefit from a pledge of the full faith, credit and unlimited taxing power of the issuing municipality, which is required by law to levy property taxes in an amount sufficient for the payment of debt service on such general obligation bonds. The Corporation performs periodic credit quality reviews of these securities and internally assigns standardized credit risk ratings based on its evaluation. The Corporation considers these ratings in its estimate to develop the allowance for credit losses associated with these securities. For the definitions of the obligor risk ratings, refer to the Credit Quality section of Note 8.

The following presents the amortized cost basis of securities held by the Corporation issued by municipalities of Puerto Rico aggregated by the internally assigned standardized credit risk rating:


	At December 31, 2020
(In thousands)		Securities issued by Puerto Rico municipalities
Watch	$	35,315
Total	$	35,315

The portfolio of “Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions” also includes $46 million in securities issued by the Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority (“HFA”), a government instrumentality, for which the underlying source of payment is second mortgage loans in Puerto Rico residential properties (not the government), but for which HFA, provides a guarantee in the event of default and upon the satisfaction of certain other conditions. These securities are not rated by a credit rating agency. The Corporation assesses the credit risk associated with these securities by evaluating the refreshed FICO scores of a representative sample of the underlying borrowers. The average refreshed FICO score for the representative sample, comprised of 66 % of the nominal value of the securities, used for the December 31, 2020 loss estimate was of 697. The loss estimates for this portfolio was

106

based on the methodology established under CECL for similar loan obligations. The Corporation does not consider the government guarantee when estimating the credit losses associated with this portfolio.

A further deterioration of the Puerto Rico economy or of the fiscal health of the Government of Puerto Rico and/or its instrumentalities (including if any of the issuing municipalities become subject to a debt restructuring proceeding under PROMESA) could further affect the value of these securities, resulting in losses to the Corporation.

Refer to Note 23 for additional information on the Corporation’s exposure to the Puerto Rico Government.

Delinquency status

At December 31, 2020 there are no securities held-to-maturity in past due or non-performing status.

Allowance for credit losses on debt securities held-to-maturity

The following table provides the activity in the allowance for credit losses related to debt securities held-to-maturity by security type for the year ended December 31, 2020.



		For the year ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)			Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions
Allowance for credit losses:
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2020	$	-
	Impact of adopting CECL		12,654
	Provision for credit loss expense (reversal of provision)		(2,393)
	Securities charged-off		-
	Recoveries		-
Ending Balance		$	10,261

The allowance for credit losses for the Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions, includes $1.4 million for securities issued by municipalities of Puerto Rico, and $8.9 million for bonds issued by the Puerto Rico HFA, which are secured by second mortgage loans on Puerto Rico residential properties.

107

Note 7 – Loans

For a summary of the accounting policies related to loans, interest recognition and allowance for credit losses refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of this Form 10-K.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recorded purchases (including repurchases) of mortgage loans amounting to $1.3 billion including $160 million in PCD loans, consumer loans of $56 million and commercial loans of $ 26 million; compared to purchases (including repurchases) of mortgage loans of $423 million and consumer loans of $359 million including the acquisition of a credit card portfolio with an unpaid principal balance of $74 million, and commercial loans of $141 million, during the year ended December 31, 2019. During 2020, these mortgage loan repurchases included a bulk repurchase transaction of $688 million in GNMA loans, of which $ 684 million were included in the 90 days past due category. This included $324 million which were part of the Corporation’s ending portfolio balance at June 30, 2020, since due to the delinquency status of the loans the Corporation had the right but not the obligation to repurchase the assets and was required to recognize (rebook) these loans in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The bulk loan repurchases also included $120 million in loans from the FNMA and FHMLC servicing portfolio, subject to credit recourse which were considered PCD loans.

The Corporation performed whole-loan sales involving approximately $150 million of residential mortgage loans and $32 million of commercial loans during the year ended December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $64 million of residential mortgage and $114 million of commercial and construction loans). Also, during the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation securitized approximately $ 332 million of mortgage loans into Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage-backed securities and $ 176 million of mortgage loans into Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) mortgage-backed securities, compared to $347 million and $ 111 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Delinquency status

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans held-in-portfolio (“HIP”), net of unearned income, by past due status, and by loan class including those that are in non-performing status or that are accruing interest but are past due 90 days or more at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

108

December 31, 2020
Puerto Rico

			Past due											Past due 90 days or more
		30-59		60-89		90 days		Total						Non-accrual			Accruing
(In thousands)		days		days		or more^[1]		past due		Current		Loans HIP		loans		loans
Commercial multi-family		$	796	$	-	$	505	$	1,301	$	150,979	$	152,280	$	505	$	-
Commercial real estate:
	Non-owner occupied		2,189		3,503		77,137		82,829		1,924,504		2,007,333		77,137		-
	Owner occupied		8,270		1,218		92,001		101,489		1,497,406		1,598,895		92,001		-
Commercial and industrial			10,223		775		35,012		46,010		4,183,098		4,229,108		34,449		563
Construction			-		-		21,497		21,497		135,609		157,106		21,497		-
Mortgage			195,602		87,726		1,428,824		1,712,152		5,057,991		6,770,143		414,343		1,014,481	^[2]
Leasing			9,141		1,427		3,441		14,009		1,183,652		1,197,661		3,441		-
Consumer:
	Credit cards		6,550		4,619		12,798		23,967		895,968		919,935		-		12,798
	Home equity lines of credit		184		-		48		232		3,947		4,179		-		48
	Personal		11,255		8,097		26,387		45,739		1,232,008		1,277,747		26,387		-
	Auto		53,186		12,696		15,736		81,618		3,050,610		3,132,228		15,736		-
	Other		304		483		15,052		15,839		110,826		126,665		14,881		171
Total		$	297,700	$	120,544	$	1,728,438	$	2,146,682	$	19,426,598	$	21,573,280	$	700,377	$	1,028,061
[1]	Loans included as 90 days or more past due include loans that that are not delinquent in their payment terms but that are reported as non-performing due to other credit quality considerations. As part of the adoption of CECL, at January 1, 2020, the Corporation reclassified to this category $134 million of acquired loans with credit deterioration that were previously accounted for under ASC 310-30 and were excluded from non-performing status. In addition, as part of the CECL transition, an additional $125 million of loans that were 90 days or more past due previously accounted for under ASC 310-30 and excluded from non-performing status are now included as non-performing.
[2]	It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These include $57 million in loans rebooked under the GNMA program at December 31, 2020, in which issuers such as BPPR have the option but not the obligation to repurchase loans that are 90 days or more past due.

December 31, 2020
Popular U.S.

			Past due											Past due 90 days or more
		30-59		60-89		90 days		Total						Non-accrual			Accruing
(In thousands)		days		days		or more		past due		Current		Loans HIP		loans		loans
Commercial multi-family		$	5,273	$	-	$	1,894	$	7,167	$	1,736,544	$	1,743,711	$	1,894	$	-
Commercial real estate:
	Non-owner occupied		924		3,640		669		5,233		1,988,577		1,993,810		669		-
	Owner occupied		191		650		334		1,175		343,205		344,380		334		-
Commercial and industrial			1,112		65		1,580		2,757		1,534,006		1,536,763		1,580		-
Construction			21,312		-		7,560		28,872		732,787		761,659		7,560		-
Mortgage			33,422		15,464		14,864		63,750		1,056,787		1,120,537		14,864		-
Legacy			5		7		1,511		1,523		13,950		15,473		1,511		-
Consumer:
	Credit cards		-		-		3		3		28		31		-		3
	Home equity lines of credit		236		342		7,491		8,069		86,502		94,571		7,491		-
	Personal		1,486		1,342		1,474		4,302		194,936		199,238		1,474		-
	Other		-		-		20		20		1,723		1,743		20		-
Total		$	63,961	$	21,510	$	37,400	$	122,871	$	7,689,045	$	7,811,916	$	37,397	$	3

109

December 31, 2020
Popular, Inc.

			Past due											Past due 90 days or more
		30-59		60-89		90 days		Total						Non-accrual			Accruing
(In thousands)		days		days		or more^[3]		past due		Current		Loans HIP^{[4] [5]}		loans		loans
Commercial multi-family		$	6,069	$	-	$	2,399	$	8,468	$	1,887,523	$	1,895,991	$	2,399	$	-
Commercial real estate:
	Non-owner occupied		3,113		7,143		77,806		88,062		3,913,081		4,001,143		77,806		-
	Owner occupied		8,461		1,868		92,335		102,664		1,840,611		1,943,275		92,335		-
Commercial and industrial			11,335		840		36,592		48,767		5,717,104		5,765,871		36,029		563
Construction			21,312		-		29,057		50,369		868,396		918,765		29,057		-
Mortgage^[1]			229,024		103,190		1,443,688		1,775,902		6,114,778		7,890,680		429,207		1,014,481	^[6]
Leasing			9,141		1,427		3,441		14,009		1,183,652		1,197,661		3,441		-
Legacy^[2]			5		7		1,511		1,523		13,950		15,473		1,511		-
Consumer:
	Credit cards		6,550		4,619		12,801		23,970		895,996		919,966		-		12,801
	Home equity lines of credit		420		342		7,539		8,301		90,449		98,750		7,491		48
	Personal		12,741		9,439		27,861		50,041		1,426,944		1,476,985		27,861		-
	Auto		53,186		12,696		15,736		81,618		3,050,610		3,132,228		15,736		-
	Other		304		483		15,072		15,859		112,549		128,408		14,901		171
Total		$	361,661	$	142,054	$	1,765,838	$	2,269,553	$	27,115,643	$	29,385,196	$	737,774	$	1,028,064

[1]	It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured.
[2]	The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the Popular U.S. segment.
[3]	Loans included as 90 days or more past due include loans that that are not delinquent in their payment terms but that are reported as non-performing due to other credit quality considerations. As part of the adoption of CECL, at January 1, 2020, the Corporation reclassified to this category $134 million of acquired loans with credit deterioration that were previously accounted for under ASC 310-30 and were excluded from non-performing status. In addition, as part of the CECL transition, an additional $144 million of loans that were 90 days or more past due previously accounted for under ASC 310-30 and excluded from non-performing status are now included as non-performing.
[4]	Loans held-in-portfolio are net of $203 million in unearned income and exclude $99 million in loans held-for-sale.
[5]	Includes $6.5 billion pledged to secure credit facilities and public funds that the secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral, of which $4.1 billion were pledged at the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") as collateral for borrowings and $2.4 billion at the Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") for discount window borrowings.
[6]	It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured. These include loans rebooked, which were previously pooled into GNMA securities amounting to $57 million. Under the GNMA program, issuers such as BPPR have the option but not the obligation to repurchase loans that are 90 days or more past due. For accounting purposes, these loans subject to the repurchase option are required to be reflected (rebooked)on the financial statements of BPPR with an offsetting liability. Loans in our serviced GNMA portfolio benefit from payment forbearance programs but continue to reflect the contractual delinquency until the borrower repays deferred payments or completes a payment deferral modification or other borrower assistance alternative.

110

December 31, 2019
Puerto Rico

			Past due											Past due 90 days or more
			30-59		60-89		90 days	Total						Non-accrual			Accruing
(In thousands)			days		days		or more	past due		Current		Loans HIP		loans		loans^[1]
Commercial multi-family		$	2,941	$	129	$	1,512	$	4,582	$	143,267	$	147,849	$	1,473	$	-
Commercial real estate:
	Non-owner occupied		10,439		5,244		43,664		59,347		2,048,871		2,108,218		39,968		-
	Owner occupied		5,704		3,978		84,537		94,219		1,492,110		1,586,329		69,276		-
Commercial and industrial			8,780		1,646		37,156		47,582		3,371,152		3,418,734		36,538		544
Construction			1,555		-		119		1,674		135,796		137,470		119		-
Mortgage			285,006		146,197		837,651		1,268,854		4,897,894		6,166,748		283,708		439,662
Leasing			12,014		3,053		3,657		18,724		1,040,783		1,059,507		3,657		-
Consumer:
	Credit cards		11,358		7,928		19,461		38,747		1,085,053		1,123,800		-		19,461
	Home equity lines of credit		-		85		-		85		4,953		5,038		-		-
	Personal		13,481		9,352		20,296		43,129		1,325,021		1,368,150		19,529		61
	Auto		81,169		23,182		31,148		135,499		2,782,023		2,917,522		31,148		-
	Other		358		1,418		14,189		15,965		124,902		140,867		13,784		405
Total		$	432,805	$	202,212	$	1,093,390	$	1,728,407	$	18,451,825	$	20,180,232	$	499,200	$	460,133
[1]	Loans HIP of $134 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans would accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

December 31, 2019
Popular U.S.

			Past due											Past due 90 days or more
			30-59		60-89		90 days		Total					Non-accrual			Accruing
(In thousands)			days		days		or more		past due		Current		Loans HIP	loans		loans^[1]
Commercial multi-family		$	9	$	-	$	2,097	$	2,106	$	1,645,204	$	1,647,310	$	2,097	$	-
Commercial real estate:
	Non-owner occupied		1,047		-		281		1,328		1,868,968		1,870,296		281		-
	Owner occupied		1,750		-		251		2,001		337,134		339,135		251		-
Commercial and industrial			454		128		19,945		20,527		1,174,353		1,194,880		876		-
Construction			-		-		26		26		693,596		693,622		26		-
Mortgage			15,474		4,024		11,091		30,589		986,195		1,016,784		11,091		-
Legacy			49		8		1,999		2,056		20,049		22,105		1,999		-
Consumer:
	Credit cards		-		-		-		-		36		36		-		-
	Home equity lines of credit		404		267		9,954		10,625		106,718		117,343		9,954		-
	Personal		2,286		1,582		2,066		5,934		318,506		324,440		2,066		-
	Other		3		-		-		3		687		690		-		-
Total		$	21,476	$	6,009	$	47,710	$	75,195	$	7,151,446	$	7,226,641	$	28,641	$	-
[1]	Loans HIP of $19 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans would accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

111

December 31, 2019
Popular, Inc.

			Past due											Past due 90 days or more
			30-59		60-89		90 days		Total					Non-accrual			Accruing
(In thousands)			days		days		or more		past due	Current		Loans HIP^{[3] [4]}		loans		loans^[5]
Commercial multi-family		$	2,950	$	129	$	3,609	$	6,688	$	1,788,471	$	1,795,159	$	3,570	$	-
Commercial real estate:
	Non-owner occupied		11,486		5,244		43,945		60,675		3,917,839		3,978,514		40,249		-
	Owner occupied		7,454		3,978		84,788		96,220		1,829,244		1,925,464		69,527		-
Commercial and industrial			9,234		1,774		57,101		68,109		4,545,505		4,613,614		37,414		544
Construction			1,555		-		145		1,700		829,392		831,092		145		-
Mortgage^[1]			300,480		150,221		848,742		1,299,443		5,884,089		7,183,532		294,799		439,662
Leasing			12,014		3,053		3,657		18,724		1,040,783		1,059,507		3,657		-
Legacy^[2]			49		8		1,999		2,056		20,049		22,105		1,999		-
Consumer:
	Credit cards		11,358		7,928		19,461		38,747		1,085,089		1,123,836		-		19,461
	Home equity lines of credit		404		352		9,954		10,710		111,671		122,381		9,954		-
	Personal		15,767		10,934		22,362		49,063		1,643,527		1,692,590		21,595		61
	Auto		81,169		23,182		31,148		135,499		2,782,023		2,917,522		31,148		-
	Other		361		1,418		14,189		15,968		125,589		141,557		13,784		405
Total		$	454,281	$	208,221	$	1,141,100	$	1,803,602	$	25,603,271	$	27,406,873	$	527,841	$	460,133

[1]	It is the Corporation’s policy to report delinquent residential mortgage loans insured by FHA or guaranteed by the VA as accruing loans past due 90 days or more as opposed to non-performing since the principal repayment is insured.
[2]	The legacy portfolio is comprised of commercial loans, construction loans and lease financings related to certain lending products exited by the Corporation as part of restructuring efforts carried out in prior years at the Popular U.S. segment.
[3]	Loans held-in-portfolio are net of $181 million in unearned income and exclude $59 million in loans held-for-sale.
[4]	Includes $6.7 billion pledged to secure credit facilities and public funds that the secured parties are not permitted to sell or repledge the collateral, of which $4.6 billion were pledged at the FHLB as collateral for borrowings and $2.1 billion at the FRB for discount window borrowings.
[5]	Loans HIP of $153 million accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 are excluded from the above table as they are considered to be performing due to the application of the accretion method, in which these loans would accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using estimated cash flow analysis.

Recognition of interest income on mortgage loans is generally discontinued when loans are 90 days or more in arrears on payments of principal or interest. The Corporation discontinues the recognition of interest income on residential mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) when 15 months delinquent as to principal or interest, since the principal repayment on these loans is insured.

At December 31, 2020, mortgage loans held-in-portfolio include $2.1 billion (December 31, 2019 - $1.4 billion) of loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) of which $ 1.0 billion (December 31, 2019 - $441 million) are 90 days or more past due. These balances include $ 655 million in loans modified under a TDR (December 31, 2019 - $625 million), that are presented as accruing loans. The portfolio of U.S. guaranteed loans includes $ 329 million of residential mortgage loans in Puerto Rico that are no longer accruing interest as of December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $213 million). The Corporation has approximately $60 million in reverse mortgage loans in Puerto Rico which are guaranteed by FHA, but which are currently not accruing interest at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $65 million).

Loans with a delinquency status of 90 days past due as of December 31, 2020 include $57 million in loans previously pooled into GNMA securities (December 31, 2019 - $ 103 million). Under the GNMA program, issuers such as BPPR have the option but not the obligation to repurchase loans that are 90 days or more past due. For accounting purposes, these loans subject to the repurchase option are required to be reflected on the financial statements of BPPR with an offsetting liability. Loans in our serviced GNMA portfolio benefit from payment forbearance programs but continue to reflect the contractual delinquency until the borrower repays deferred payments or completes a payment deferral modification or other borrower assistance alternative.

The components of the net financing leases receivable at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

112

(In thousands)			2020		2019
Total minimum lease payments		$	957,367	$	863,755
Estimated residual value of leased property (unguaranteed)			419,024		356,560
Deferred origination costs, net of fees			18,141		15,422
	Less - Unearned financing income		196,788		176,121
Net minimum lease payments			1,197,744		1,059,616
	Less - Allowance for credit losses		16,863		10,768
Net minimum lease payments, net of allowance for credit losses		$	1,180,881	$	1,048,848

At December 31, 2020, future minimum lease payments are expected to be received as follows:

(In thousands)
2021	$	60,939
2022		90,701
2023		150,169
2024		212,591
2025 and thereafter		442,967
Total	$	957,367

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2020 by class of loans and the related interest income recognized on these loans:

December 31, 2020
	Puerto Rico						Popular U.S.						Popular, Inc.
(In thousands)	Non-accrual with no allowance		Non-accrual with allowance		Interest income recognized		Non-accrual with no allowance		Non-accrual with allowance		Interest income recognized		Non-accrual with no allowance		Non-accrual with allowance		Interest income recognized
Commercial multi-family	$	-	$	505	$	3	$	-	$	1,894	$	1	$	-	$	2,399	$	4
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied		35,968		41,169		276		-		669		4		35,968		41,838		280
Commercial real estate owner occupied		14,825		77,176		697		-		334		-		14,825		77,510		697
Commercial and industrial		1,148		33,301		148		-		1,580		-		1,148		34,881		148
Construction		-		21,497		-		-		7,560		78		-		29,057		78
Mortgage		141,737		272,606		1,843		517		14,347		27		142,254		286,953		1,870
Leasing		-		3,441		24		-		-		-		-		3,441		24
Legacy		-		-		-		-		1,511		-		-		1,511		-
Consumer:
HELOCs		-		-		-		-		7,491		-		-		7,491		-
Personal		9,265		17,122		234		-		1,474		-		9,265		18,596		234
Auto		-		15,736		185		-		-		-		-		15,736		185
Other		-		14,881		133		-		20		-		-		14,901		133
Total	$	202,943	$	497,434	$	3,543	$	517	$	36,880	$	110	$	203,460	$	534,314	$	3,653

Loans in non-accrual status with no allowance include $203 million in collateral dependent loans.

The Corporation has designated loans classified as collateral dependent for which it applies the practical expedient to measure the ACL based on the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, when the repayment is expected to be provided substantially by the sale or operation of the collateral and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The fair value of the collateral is based on appraisals, which may be adjusted due to their age, and the type, location, and condition of the property or area or general market conditions to reflect the expected change in value between the effective date of the appraisal and the measurement date. Appraisals are updated every one to two years depending on the type of loan and the total exposure of the borrower.

The following table present the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by class of loans and type of collateral as of December 31, 2020:

113

		December 31, 2020
(In thousands)			Real Estate		Auto		Equipment		Taxi Medallions		Accounts Receivables		Other		Total
Puerto Rico
Commercial multi-family		$	1,301	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1,301
Commercial real estate:
	Non-owner occupied		299,223		-		-		-		-		-		299,223
	Owner occupied		79,769		-		-		-		-		-		79,769
Commercial and industrial			7,577		-		1,438		-		10,989		12,046		32,050
Construction			21,497		-		-		-		-		-		21,497
Mortgage			181,648		-		-		-		-		-		181,648
Consumer:
	Personal		7,414		-		-		-		-		-		7,414
	Auto		-		4		-		-		-		-		4
Total Puerto Rico		$	598,429	$	4	$	1,438	$	-	$	10,989	$	12,046	$	622,906
Popular U.S.
Commercial multi-family		$	1,755	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1,755
Commercial and industrial			-		-		-		1,545		-		-		1,545
Construction			7,560		-		-		-		-		-		7,560
Mortgage			855		-		-		-		-		-		855
Total Popular U.S.		$	10,170	$	-	$	-	$	1,545	$	-	$	-	$	11,715
Popular, Inc.
Commercial multi-family		$	3,056	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	3,056
Commercial real estate:
	Non-owner occupied		299,223		-		-		-		-		-		299,223
	Owner occupied		79,769		-		-		-		-		-		79,769
Commercial and industrial			7,577		-		1,438		1,545		10,989		12,046		33,595
Construction			29,057		-		-		-		-		-		29,057
Mortgage			182,503		-		-		-		-		-		182,503
Consumer:
	Personal		7,414		-		-		-		-		-		7,414
	Auto		-		4		-		-		-		-		4
Total Popular, Inc.		$	608,599	$	4	$	1,438	$	1,545	$	10,989	$	12,046	$	634,621

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans (PCD)

The Corporation has purchased loans during the year, for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of more than insignificant deterioration of credit quality since origination. The carrying amount of those loans is as follows:


(In thousands)		December 31, 2020
Purchase price of loans at acquisition	$	152,667
Allowance for credit losses at acquisition		7,512
Non-credit premium at acquisition		(6,542)
Par value of acquired loans at acquisition	$	153,637

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality accounted for under ASC 310-30

114

The following provides information of loans acquired with evidence of credit deterioration as of the acquisition date, accounted for under the guidance of ASC 310-30 in 2019.

The outstanding principal balance of acquired loans accounted pursuant to ASC Subtopic 310-30, amounted $1.9 billion at December 31, 2019. The carrying amount of these loans consisted of loans determined to be impaired at the time of acquisition, which are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30 (“credit impaired loans”), and loans that were considered to be performing at the acquisition date, accounted for by analogy to ASC Subtopic 310-30 (“non-credit impaired loans”).

The following table provides the carrying amount of acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 by portfolio at December 31, 2019.

Carrying amount
(In thousands)		December 31, 2019
Commercial real estate	$	670,566
Commercial and industrial		104,756
Mortgage		856,618
Consumer		11,778
Carrying amount		1,643,718
Allowance for loan losses		(74,039)
Carrying amount, net of allowance	$	1,569,679

At December 31, 2019, none of the acquired loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 were considered non-performing loans. Therefore, interest income, through accretion of the difference between the carrying amount of the loans and the expected cash flows, was recognized on all acquired loans.

Changes in the carrying amount and the accretable yield for the loans accounted pursuant to the ASC Subtopic 310-30, for the year ended December 31, 2019, were as follows:

Carrying amount of acquired loans accounted for pursuant to ASC 310-30
(In thousands)		For the year ended December 31, 2019
Beginning balance			$	1,883,556
Additions				39,492
Accretion				144,976
Collections / loan sales / charge-offs				(424,306)
Ending balance^[1]			$	1,643,718
Allowance for loan losses				(74,039)
Ending balance, net of ALLL			$	1,569,679
[1]	At December 31, 2019, includes $1.2 billion of loans considered non-credit impaired at the acquisition date.

Activity in the accretable yield of acquired loans accounted for pursuant to ASC 310-30
(In thousands)		For the year ended December 31, 2019
Beginning balance			$	1,092,504
Additions				23,556
Accretion				(144,976)
Change in expected cash flows				30,258
Ending balance^[1]			$	1,001,342
[1]	At December 31, 2019, includes $0.7 billion for loans considered non-credit impaired at the acquisition date.

116

Note 8 – Allowance for credit losses – loans held-in-portfolio

The Corporation follows the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) to provide for expected losses in the loan portfolio. This model establishes a forward-looking methodology that reflects the expected credit losses over the lives of financial assets, starting when such assets are first acquired or originated. In addition, CECL provides that the initial ACL on purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) financial assets will be recorded as an increase to the purchase price, with subsequent changes to the allowance recorded as a credit loss expense. The provision for credit losses charged to current operations is based on this methodology. Loan losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the ACL. Refer to Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, for a description of the Corporation’s methodology to estimate the ACL.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation applied probability weights to the outcomes of simulations using Moody’s Analytics’ Baseline, S3 (pessimistic) and S1 (optimistic) scenarios. The Baseline scenario carried the highest weight. The remaining weights were assigned based on the evaluation of risks to the Baseline scenario. The S3 (pessimistic) scenario had the second highest probability given the uncertainties in the economic outlook and downside risk.

The following tables present the changes in the ACL of loans held-in-portfolio and unfunded commitments for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

For the year ended December 31, 2020
Puerto Rico


(In thousands)		Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Leasing		Consumer		Total
Allowance for credit losses - loans:
Beginning balance		$	131,063	$	574	$	116,281	$	10,768	$	173,965	$	432,651
	Impact of adopting CECL		62,393		115		86,081		(713)		122,492		270,368
	Provision		48,756		3,228		5,318		14,172		134,391		205,865
	Initial allowance for credit losses - PCD Loans		-		-		7,512		-		-		7,512
	Charge-offs		(27,731)		-		(30,080)		(10,447)		(170,023)		(238,281)
	Recoveries		10,842		954		10,445		3,083		36,311		61,635
Ending balance - loans		$	225,323	$	4,871	$	195,557	$	16,863	$	297,136	$	739,750
Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance		$	678	$	294	$	-	$	-	$	7,467	$	8,439
	Impact of adopting CECL		1,158		(185)		-		-		(7,467)		(6,494)
	Provision (reversal of provision)		3,077		4,501		-		-		-		7,578
Ending balance - unfunded commitments [1]		$	4,913	$	4,610	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	9,523
[1]	Allowance for credit losses of unfunded commitments is presented as part of Other Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

For the year ended December 31, 2020
Popular U.S.


(In thousands)		Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Legacy		Consumer		Total
Allowance for credit losses - loans:
Beginning balance		$	15,989	$	4,204	$	4,827	$	630	$	19,407	$	45,057
	Impact of adopting CECL		29,103		(2,986)		10,431		382		7,809		44,739
	Provision		59,711		8,155		4,891		309		3,405		76,471
	Charge-offs		(1,976)		(1,509)		(59)		(102)		(17,404)		(21,050)
	Recoveries		4,119		1,220		69		174		5,701		11,283
Ending balance - loans		$	106,946	$	9,084	$	20,159	$	1,393	$	18,918	$	156,500
Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance		$	152	$	119	$	-	$	6	$	1	$	278
	Impact of adopting CECL		453		584		-		(2)		(1)		1,034
	Provision (reversal of provision)		1,148		3,765		-		(4)		106		5,015
Ending balance - unfunded commitments [1]		$	1,753	$	4,468	$	-	$	-	$	106	$	6,327
[1]	Allowance for credit losses of unfunded commitments is presented as part of Other Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

117

For the year ended December 31, 2020
Popular, Inc.


(In thousands)		Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Legacy		Leasing		Consumer		Total
Allowance for credit losses - loans:
Beginning balance		$	147,052	$	4,778	$	121,108	$	630	$	10,768	$	193,372	$	477,708
	Impact of adopting CECL		91,496		(2,871)		96,512		382		(713)		130,301		315,107
	Provision		108,467		11,383		10,209		309		14,172		137,796		282,336
	Initial allowance for credit losses - PCD Loans		-		-		7,512		-		-		-		7,512
	Charge-offs		(29,707)		(1,509)		(30,139)		(102)		(10,447)		(187,427)		(259,331)
	Recoveries		14,961		2,174		10,514		174		3,083		42,012		72,918
Ending balance - loans		$	332,269	$	13,955	$	215,716	$	1,393	$	16,863	$	316,054	$	896,250
Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance		$	830	$	413	$	-	$	6	$	-	$	7,468	$	8,717
	Impact of adopting CECL		1,611		399		-		(2)		-		(7,468)		(5,460)
	Provision (reversal of provision)		4,225		8,266		-		(4)		-		106		12,593
Ending balance - unfunded commitments [1]		$	6,666	$	9,078	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	106	$	15,850
[1]	Allowance for credit losses of unfunded commitments is presented as part of Other Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

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For the year ended December 31, 2019
Puerto Rico


(In thousands)		Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Leasing		Consumer		Total
Allowance for credit losses - loans:
Beginning balance		$	207,214	$	886	$	142,978	$	11,486	$	144,594	$	507,158
	Provision (reversal of provision)		(41,440)		(3,417)		14,658		8,619		157,331		135,751
	Charge-offs		(53,852)		(109)		(47,577)		(11,834)		(167,983)		(281,355)
	Recoveries		19,141		3,214		6,222		2,497		40,023		71,097
Ending balance - loans		$	131,063	$	574	$	116,281	$	10,768	$	173,965	$	432,651
Specific ACL		$	20,533	$	6	$	40,596	$	61	$	20,259	$	81,455
General ACL		$	110,530	$	568	$	75,685	$	10,707	$	153,706	$	351,196
Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance		$	742	$	42	$	-	$	-	$	7,199	$	7,983
	Provision (reversal of provision)		(64)		252		-		-		268		456
Ending balance - unfunded commitments [1]		$	678	$	294	$	-	$	-	$	7,467	$	8,439
Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired loans		$	397,452	$	119	$	522,469	$	507	$	91,157	$	1,011,704
Loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired loans			6,863,678		137,351		5,644,279		1,059,000		5,464,220		19,168,528
Total loans held-in-portfolio		$	7,261,130	$	137,470	$	6,166,748	$	1,059,507	$	5,555,377	$	20,180,232
[1]	Allowance for credit losses of unfunded commitments is presented as part of Other Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

For the year ended December 31, 2019
Popular U.S.


(In thousands)		Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Legacy		Consumer		Total
Allowance for credit losses - loans:
Beginning balance		$	31,901	$	6,538	$	4,434	$	969	$	18,348	$	62,190
	Provision (reversal of provision)		15,496		(127)		828		(1,738)		15,569		30,028
	Charge-offs		(40,329)		(2,215)		(605)		105		(21,280)		(64,324)
	Recoveries		8,921		8		170		1,294		6,770		17,163
Ending balance - loans		$	15,989	$	4,204	$	4,827	$	630	$	19,407	$	45,057
Specific ACL		$	-	$	-	$	2,208	$	-	$	1,563	$	3,771
General ACL		$	15,989	$	4,204	$	2,619	$	630	$	17,844	$	41,286
Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance		$	132	$	101	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	233
	Provision (reversal of provision)		20		18		-		6		1		45
Ending balance - unfunded commitments [1]		$	152	$	119	$	-	$	6	$	1	$	278
Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired loans		$	2,097	$	-	$	9,386	$	-	$	9,634	$	21,117
Loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired loans			5,049,524		693,622		1,007,398		22,105		432,875		7,205,524
Total loans held-in-portfolio		$	5,051,621	$	693,622	$	1,016,784	$	22,105	$	442,509	$	7,226,641
[1]	Allowance for credit losses of unfunded commitments is presented as part of Other Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

119

For the year ended December 31, 2019
Popular, Inc.


(In thousands)		Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Legacy		Leasing		Consumer		Total
Allowance for credit losses - loans:
Beginning balance		$	239,115	$	7,424	$	147,412	$	969	$	11,486	$	162,942	$	569,348
	Provision (reversal of provision)		(25,944)		(3,544)		15,486		(1,738)		8,619		172,900		165,779
	Charge-offs		(94,181)		(2,324)		(48,182)		105		(11,834)		(189,263)		(345,679)
	Recoveries		28,062		3,222		6,392		1,294		2,497		46,793		88,260
Ending balance - loans		$	147,052	$	4,778	$	121,108	$	630	$	10,768	$	193,372	$	477,708
Specific ACL		$	20,533	$	6	$	42,804	$	-	$	61	$	21,822	$	85,226
General ACL		$	126,519	$	4,772	$	78,304	$	630	$	10,707	$	171,550	$	392,482
Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments:
Beginning balance		$	874	$	143	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	7,199	$	8,216
	Provision (reversal of provision)		(44)		270		-		6		-		269		501
Ending balance - unfunded commitments [1]		$	830	$	413	$	-	$	6	$	-	$	7,468	$	8,717
Loans held-in-portfolio:
Impaired loans		$	399,549	$	119	$	531,855	$	-	$	507	$	100,791	$	1,032,821
Loans held-in-portfolio excluding impaired loans			11,913,202		830,973		6,651,677		22,105		1,059,000		5,897,095		26,374,052
Total loans held-in-portfolio		$	12,312,751	$	831,092	$	7,183,532	$	22,105	$	1,059,507	$	5,997,886	$	27,406,873
[1]	Allowance for credit losses of unfunded commitments is presented as part of Other Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The following table provides the activity in the allowance for credit losses related to loans accounted for pursuant to ASC Subtopic 310-30.

	ASC 310-30
(In thousands)	For the year ended December 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	122,135
Provision		1,119
Net charge-offs		(49,215)
Balance at end of period	$	74,039

Modifications

A modification of a loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the modification constitutes a concession. For a summary of the accounting policy related to troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), refer to the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in Note 2 to these Consolidated Financial Statements.

The outstanding balance of loans classified as TDRs amounted to $ 1.7 billion at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $ 1.6 billion). The amount of outstanding commitments to lend additional funds to debtors owing receivables whose terms have been modified in TDRs amounted to $14 million related to the commercial loan portfolio at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $14 million).

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation has entered into loan modifications with eligible customers in mortgage, personal loans, credit cards, auto loans and leases and certain commercial credit facilities, comprised mainly of payment deferrals of up to six months, subject to certain terms and conditions. These loan modifications do not affect the asset quality measures as the deferred payments are not deemed to be delinquent and the Corporation continues to accrue interest on these loans. The Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly enacted legislation in April 2020 that required financial institutions to offer through June 2020 moratoriums on consumer financial products to clients impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and extended relief with respect to mortgage products through August 2020. Additionally, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), signed by the President of the United States as part of an economic stimulus package, provides relief related to U.S. GAAP requirements for loan modifications related to COVID-19 relief measures. This relief was subsequently extended until the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the national COVID-19 emergency ends. In addition, the Federal Reserve, along with other U.S. banking regulators, also issued interagency guidance to financial institutions that offers some practical expedients for evaluating whether loan modifications that occur in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are TDRs. According to the interagency guidance,

120

COVID-19 related short-term modifications (i.e., six months or less) granted to consumer or commercial loans that were current as of the date of the loan modification are not TDRs, since the lender can conclude that the borrower is current on their loan and thus not experiencing financial difficulties and furthermore the period of the deferral granted does not represent a more than insignificant concession on the part of the lender. In addition, a modification or deferral program that is mandated by the federal government or a state government (e.g., a state program that requires all institutions within that state to suspend mortgage payments for a specified period) does not represent a TDR.

The Corporation implemented a relief program to work with customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the Corporation had granted loan payment moratoriums under the program to 127,117 eligible retail customers with an aggregate book value of $4.4 billion, and to 5,099 eligible commercial clients with an aggregate book value of $3.9 billion. In addition, certain participating clients impacted by the seismic activity in the Southern region of the island also benefitted from other loan payment moratoriums offered by the Corporation since mid-January 2020. As of December 31, 2020, 127,857 loans in the COVID-19 relief program with an aggregate book value of $7.8 billion had already completed their payment moratorium period, while 4,359 loans with an aggregate book value of $ 0.5 billion are still under the moratorium. Out of the approximately $8.3 billion in loans modified under this program, approximately $35 million have been classified as TDRs. In making this determination, the Corporation considered the criteria of whether the borrower was in financial difficulty at the time of the deferral and whether the deferral period was more than insignificant, as discussed above.

At December 31, 2020, 97% of COVID-19 payment deferrals had expired. After excluding government guaranteed loans, 115,079 of remaining loans, or 94 %, with an aggregate book value of $6.9 billion were current on their payments as of December 31, 2020. Loans considered current exclude those loans for which the COVID-19 related modification has expired but have subsequently been subject to other loss mitigation alternatives. The Corporation will continue to monitor and assess the post-moratorium payment behavior of these borrowers to recognize any deterioration in these loans, and potential loss exposure, in a timely manner.

The following table presents the outstanding balance of loans classified as TDRs according to their accruing status and the related allowance at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

	December 31, 2020								December 31, 2019
(In thousands)		Accruing		Non-Accruing		Total		Related Allowance		Accruing		Non-Accruing		Total		Related Allowance
Loans held-in-portfolio:
Commercial	$	259,246	$	103,551	$	362,797	$	15,236	$	237,861	$	111,587	$	349,448	$	16,443
Construction		-		21,497		21,497		4,397		-		119		119		6
Mortgage^[1]		1,060,193		135,772		1,195,965		71,018		1,013,561		126,036		1,139,597		42,012
Leases		392		218		610		150		264		243		507		61
Consumer		74,707		12,792		87,499		22,508		82,205		15,808		98,013		21,404
Loans held-in-portfolio	$	1,394,538	$	273,830	$	1,668,368	$	113,309	$	1,333,891	$	253,793	$	1,587,684	$	79,926
[1] At December 31, 2020, accruing mortgage loan TDRs include $655 million guaranteed by U.S. sponsored entities at BPPR, compared to $625 million at December 31, 2019.

121

The following tables present the loan count by type of modification for those loans modified in a TDR during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Loans modified as TDRs for the U.S. operations are considered insignificant to the Corporation.

For the year ended December 31, 2020
	Reduction in interest rate	Extension of maturity date	Combination of reduction in interest rate and extension of maturity date	Other
Commercial multi-family	-	2	-	-
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied	2	10	-	1
Commercial real estate owner occupied	-	37	-	-
Commercial and industrial	3	50	-	-
Construction	-	1	-	-
Mortgage	3	68	331	411
Leasing	-	-	5	17
Consumer:
Credit cards	659	-	-	93
HELOCs	-	2	1	-
Personal	355	5	1	1
Auto	-	2	2	38
Other	3	-	-	-
Total	1,025	177	340	561

For the year ended December 31, 2019
	Reduction in interest rate	Extension of maturity date	Combination of reduction in interest rate and extension of maturity date	Other
Commercial multi-family	-	3	-	-
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied	-	13	-	-
Commercial real estate owner occupied	1	29	-	-
Commercial and industrial	2	67	-	-
Mortgage	37	130	672	6
Leasing	-	1	2	-
Consumer:
Credit cards	515	-	2	189
HELOCs	-	16	12	-
Personal	668	4	-	3
Auto	-	6	2	-
Other	31	-	-	-
Total	1,254	269	690	198

122

The following tables present, by class, quantitative information related to loans modified as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Popular, Inc.
For the year ended December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)	Loan count	Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment		Post-modification outstanding recorded investment		Increase (decrease) in the allowance for credit losses as a result of modification
Commercial multi-family	2	$	1,133	$	1,115	$	(18)
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied	13		25,217		22,065		(969)
Commercial real estate owner occupied	37		10,955		10,914		137
Commercial and industrial	53		3,140		3,178		34
Construction	1		21,514		21,514		4,370
Mortgage	813		102,559		85,394		6,875
Leasing	22		720		732		65
Consumer:
Credit cards	752		7,048		7,097		286
HELOCs	3		510		396		33
Personal	362		6,194		6,188		1,043
Auto	42		836		838		131
Other	3		25		25		6
Total	2,103	$	179,851	$	159,456	$	11,993

Popular, Inc.
For the year ended December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)	Loan count	Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment		Post-modification outstanding recorded investment		Increase (decrease) in the allowance for credit losses as a result of modification
Commercial multi-family	3	$	346	$	295	$	(40)
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied	13		58,142		58,116		2,811
Commercial real estate owner occupied	30		7,533		7,249		81
Commercial and industrial	69		14,991		15,435		1,368
Mortgage	845		83,833		77,308		2,814
Leasing	3		264		266		7
Consumer:
Credit cards	706		5,702		5,867		554
HELOCs	28		2,725		2,423		364
Personal	675		10,831		10,835		3,023
Auto	8		121		128		21
Other	31		206		206		30
Total	2,411	$	184,694	$	178,128	$	11,033

123

During the year ended December 31, 2020, ten loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $ 35.1 million were restructured into multiple notes (“Note A / B split”), of which a discounted payoff for one loan with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $1.7 million was completed after the restructuring, compared to four loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $9.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. The Corporation recorded $ 0.3 million in charge-offs as part of Note A / B restructurings during 2020, compared to $0 million in charge-offs during 2019. The recorded investment on these commercial TDRs amounted to approximately $ 32.9 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $9.0 million at December 31, 2019. These loans were restructured after analyzing the borrowers’ capacity to repay the debt, collateral and ability to perform under the modified terms.

The following tables present, by class, TDRs that were subject to payment default and that had been modified as a TDR during the twelve months preceding the default date. Payment default is defined as a restructured loan becoming 90 days past due after being modified, foreclosed or charged-off, whichever occurs first. The recorded investment as of period end is inclusive of all partial paydowns and charge-offs since the modification date. Loans modified as a TDR that were fully paid down, charged-off or foreclosed upon by period end are not reported.

Defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)	Loan count	Recorded investment as of first default date
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied	1	$	1,700
Commercial real estate owner occupied	6		933
Commercial and industrial	4		141
Construction	1		21,497
Mortgage	249		26,925
Consumer:
Credit cards	317		2,560
Personal	99		1,660
Other	2		1
Total	679	$	55,417

Defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)	Loan count	Recorded investment as of first default date
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied	1	$	47
Commercial real estate owner occupied	3		495
Commercial and industrial	9		7,281
Mortgage	63		4,424
Leasing	1		22
Consumer:
Credit cards	302		2,808
HELOCs	1		135
Personal	197		5,640
Auto	2		24
Other	3		8
Total	582	$	20,884

124

Commercial, consumer and mortgage loans modified in a TDR are closely monitored for delinquency as an early indicator of possible future default. If loans modified in a TDR subsequently default, the allowance for credit losses may be increased or partial charge-offs may be taken to further write-down the carrying value of the loan.

Credit Quality

The Corporation has defined a risk rating system to assign a rating to all credit exposures, particularly for the commercial and construction loan portfolios. Risk ratings in the aggregate provide the Corporation’s management the asset quality profile for the loan portfolio. The risk rating system provides for the assignment of ratings at the obligor level based on the financial condition of the borrower. The risk rating analysis process is performed at least once a year or more frequently if events or conditions change which may deteriorate the credit quality. In the case of consumer and mortgage loans, these loans are classified considering their delinquency status at the end of the reporting period.

The Corporation’s obligor risk rating scales range from rating 1 (Excellent) to rating 14 (Loss). The obligor risk rating reflects the risk of payment default of a borrower in the ordinary course of business.

Pass Credit Classifications:

Pass (Scales 1 through 8) – Loans classified as pass have a well defined primary source of repayment, with no apparent risk, strong financial position, minimal operating risk, profitability, liquidity and strong capitalization.

Watch (Scale 9) – Loans classified as watch have acceptable business credit, but borrower’s operations, cash flow or financial condition evidence more than average risk, requires above average levels of supervision and attention from Loan Officers.

Special Mention (Scale 10) - Loans classified as special mention have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Corporation’s credit position at some future date.

Adversely Classified Classifications:

Substandard (Scales 11 and 12) - Loans classified as substandard are deemed to be inadequately protected by the current net worth and payment capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as such have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful (Scale 13) - Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make the collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loss (Scale 14) - Uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this asset even though partial recovery may be effected in the future.

Risk ratings scales 10 through 14 conform to regulatory ratings. The assignment of the obligor risk rating is based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debts such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors.

The following table presents the amortized cost basis, net of unearned income, of loans held-in-portfolio based on the Corporation’s assignment of obligor risk ratings as defined at December 31, 2020 by vintage year.

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December 31, 2020
				Term Loans													Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis
				Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In thousands)					2020		2019		2018		2017		2016		Prior Years						Total
Puerto Rico
	Commercial:
		Commercial multi-family
			Watch	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	460	$	-	$	-	$	460
			Special mention		-		-		-		-		-		4,160		-		-		4,160
			Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		400		100		-		500
			Pass		5,216		36,433		26,051		2,106		2,563		74,791		-		-		147,160
		Total commercial multi-family		$	5,216	$	36,433	$	26,051	$	2,106	$	2,563	$	79,811	$	100	$	-	$	152,280

		Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
			Watch	$	160,960	$	73,561	$	27,592	$	40,654	$	33,277	$	197,912	$	2,100	$	-	$	536,056
			Special Mention		-		26,331		124,560		29,711		19,895		62,839		836		-		264,172
			Substandard		43,399		74,303		26,799		4,932		29,974		130,218		95		-		309,720
			Pass		88,324		53,385		39,814		60,585		124,643		527,282		3,352		-		897,385
		Total commercial real estate non-owner occupied		$	292,683	$	227,580	$	218,765	$	135,882	$	207,789	$	918,251	$	6,383	$	-	$	2,007,333

		Commercial real estate owner occupied
			Watch	$	96,046	$	10,319	$	14,412	$	9,760	$	9,584	$	146,445	$	2,627	$	-	$	289,193
			Special Mention		850		6,638		249		6,571		282		172,078		-		-		186,668
			Substandard		1,774		2,181		37,686		1,878		27,094		145,193		-		-		215,806
			Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		1,714		-		-		1,714
			Pass		204,840		54,274		31,917		57,854		128,392		417,376		10,861		-		905,514
		Total commercial real estate owner occupied		$	303,510	$	73,412	$	84,264	$	76,063	$	165,352	$	882,806	$	13,488	$	-	$	1,598,895

	Commercial and industrial
		Watch	$	131,556	$	77,821	$	182,776	$	40,318	$	63,968	$	267,856	$	243,335	$	-	$	1,007,630
		Special Mention		28,310		10,297		19,220		45,861		910		28,507		86,263		-		219,368
		Substandard		32,941		2,180		26,921		26,769		1,824		55,220		49,036		-		194,891
		Doubtful		-		67		-		1		-		54		1		-		123
		Loss		-		-		-		-		-		-		13		-		13
		Pass		1,181,399		492,778		119,709		168,174		105,442		218,716		520,865		-		2,807,083
	Total commercial and industrial		$	1,374,206	$	583,143	$	348,626	$	281,123	$	172,144	$	570,353	$	899,513	$	-	$	4,229,108

Construction
		Watch	$	-	$	105	$	4,895	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	960	$	-	$	5,960
		Substandard		-		-		-		21,497		-		-		-		-		21,497
		Pass		15,723		22,408		3,423		63,582		-		-		24,513		-		129,649
Total construction			$	15,723	$	22,513	$	8,318	$	85,079	$	-	$	-	$	25,473	$	-	$	157,106

Mortgage
		Substandard	$	754	$	903	$	1,172	$	3,129	$	4,374	$	159,359	$	-	$	-	$	169,691
		Pass		263,473		224,390		177,537		212,650		225,824		5,496,578		-		-		6,600,452
Total mortgage			$	264,227	$	225,293	$	178,709	$	215,779	$	230,198	$	5,655,937	$	-	$	-	$	6,770,143

Leasing
		Substandard	$	200	$	822	$	748	$	913	$	617	$	136	$	-	$	-	$	3,436
		Pass		480,964		315,022		209,340		109,708		63,955		15,236		-		-		1,194,225
Total leasing			$	481,164	$	315,844	$	210,088	$	110,621	$	64,572	$	15,372	$	-	$	-	$	1,197,661

126

December 31, 2020
				Term Loans													Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis
				Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In thousands)					2020		2019		2018		2017		2016		Prior Years						Total
Puerto Rico
	Consumer:
		Credit cards
			Substandard	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	12,798	$	-	$	12,798
			Pass		-		-		-		-		-		-		907,137		-		907,137
	Total credit cards			$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	919,935	$	-	$	919,935

		HELOCs
			Pass	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	540	$	3,639	$	-	$	4,179
	Total HELOCs			$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	540	$	3,639	$	-	$	4,179

		Personal
			Substandard	$	1,288	$	4,782	$	1,741	$	1,022	$	971	$	18,647	$	152	$	1,545	$	30,148
			Pass		323,170		413,973		168,142		99,768		57,319		137,693		2,144		45,390		1,247,599
	Total Personal			$	324,458	$	418,755	$	169,883	$	100,790	$	58,290	$	156,340	$	2,296	$	46,935	$	1,277,747

		Auto
			Substandard	$	1,975	$	6,029	$	3,612	$	1,760	$	1,369	$	990	$	-	$	-	$	15,735
			Pass		1,064,082		881,343		628,657		299,677		168,157		74,577		-		-		3,116,493
	Total Auto			$	1,066,057	$	887,372	$	632,269	$	301,437	$	169,526	$	75,567	$	-	$	-	$	3,132,228

		Other consumer
			Substandard	$	-	$	16	$	1,376	$	240	$	174	$	13,075	$	-	$	-	$	14,881
			Pass		16,912		15,698		13,158		4,966		2,828		3,785		54,437		-		111,784
	Total Other consumer			$	16,912	$	15,714	$	14,534	$	5,206	$	3,002	$	16,860	$	54,437	$	-	$	126,665
Total Puerto Rico				$	4,144,156	$	2,806,059	$	1,891,507	$	1,314,086	$	1,073,436	$	8,371,837	$	1,925,264	$	46,935	$	21,573,280

127

December 31, 2020
				Term Loans													Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis
				Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In thousands)					2020		2019		2018		2017		2016		Prior Years						Total
Popular U.S.
	Commercial:
		Commercial multi-family
			Watch	$	1,643	$	16,787	$	39,980	$	39,713	$	52,989	$	61,369	$	-	$	-	$	212,481
			Special mention		3,122		30,708		4,380		19,593		37,745		20,463		-		-		116,011
			Substandard		-		17,376		21,771		1,755		20,085		6,247		-		-		67,234
			Pass		326,008		289,652		163,812		100,555		132,400		332,709		2,849		-		1,347,985
		Total commercial multi-family		$	330,773	$	354,523	$	229,943	$	161,616	$	243,219	$	420,788	$	2,849	$	-	$	1,743,711

		Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
			Watch	$	10,057	$	23,877	$	76,629	$	56,112	$	49,166	$	62,766	$	1,055	$	-	$	279,662
			Special Mention		-		4,760		15,304		14,623		70,224		20,028		350		-		125,289
			Substandard		771		18,642		36,495		11,007		40,528		28,984		-		-		136,427
			Pass		397,686		231,904		224,256		236,008		142,432		214,495		5,651		-		1,452,432
		Total commercial real estate non-owner occupied		$	408,514	$	279,183	$	352,684	$	317,750	$	302,350	$	326,273	$	7,056	$	-	$	1,993,810

		Commercial real estate owner occupied
			Watch	$	393	$	8,266	$	7,941	$	4,060	$	16,689	$	16,108	$	4,222	$	-	$	57,679
			Special Mention		-		-		192		-		-		1,467		-		-		1,659
			Substandard		-		1,152		2,361		-		1,348		20,305		-		-		25,166
			Pass		48,684		47,484		47,451		28,761		18,296		68,739		461		-		259,876
		Total commercial real estate owner occupied		$	49,077	$	56,902	$	57,945	$	32,821	$	36,333	$	106,619	$	4,683	$	-	$	344,380

	Commercial and industrial
		Watch	$	16,126	$	1,973	$	30	$	3,621	$	1,196	$	7,557	$	3,972	$	-	$	34,475
		Special Mention		14,056		-		-		1,634		4,807		4,577		1,637		-		26,711
		Substandard		2,029		6,568		-		-		-		2,232		2,394		-		13,223
		Pass		410,265		196,958		198,249		132,993		123,762		298,877		101,250		-		1,462,354
	Total commercial and industrial		$	442,476	$	205,499	$	198,279	$	138,248	$	129,765	$	313,243	$	109,253	$	-	$	1,536,763

Construction
		Watch	$	8,451	$	-	$	-	$	37,015	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	45,466
		Special Mention		-		-		-		3,089		-		30,083		-		-		33,172
		Substandard		-		-		20,655		9,372		7,560		-		-		-		37,587
		Pass		79,489		288,865		168,411		99,814		8,392		463		-		-		645,434
Total construction			$	87,940	$	288,865	$	189,066	$	149,290	$	15,952	$	30,546	$	-	$	-	$	761,659

Mortgage
		Substandard	$	29	$	-	$	1,221	$	-	$	328	$	13,287	$	-	$	-	$	14,865
		Pass		356,839		275,289		103,160		9,337		9,530		351,517		-		-		1,105,672
Total mortgage			$	356,868	$	275,289	$	104,381	$	9,337	$	9,858	$	364,804	$	-	$	-	$	1,120,537

Legacy
		Watch	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	2,996	$	-	$	-	$	2,996
		Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		179		-		-		179
		Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		3,748		-		-		3,748
		Pass		84		-		-		-		-		7,347		1,119		-		8,550
Total legacy			$	84	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	14,270	$	1,119	$	-	$	15,473

128

December 31, 2020
				Term Loans													Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis
				Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In thousands)					2020		2019		2018		2017		2016		Prior Years						Total
Popular U.S.
	Consumer:
		Credit cards
			Pass	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	31	$	-	$	31
	Total credit cards			$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	31	$	-	$	31

		HELOCs
			Substandard	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	112	$	-	$	357	$	469
			Loss		-		-		-		-		-		156		-		6,867		7,023
			Pass		-		-		-		-		-		11,907		39,366		35,806		87,079
	Total HELOCs			$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	12,175	$	39,366	$	43,030	$	94,571

		Personal
			Substandard	$	83	$	784	$	165	$	74	$	18	$	6	$	-	$	-	$	1,130
			Loss		-		17		63		12		6		244		2		-		344
			Pass		40,539		109,606		27,693		9,623		1,855		8,256		192		-		197,764
	Total Personal			$	40,622	$	110,407	$	27,921	$	9,709	$	1,879	$	8,506	$	194	$	-	$	199,238

		Other consumer
			Substandard	$	-		-		-		-		-		-		20		-		20
			Pass	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1,723	$	-	$	1,723
	Total Other consumer			$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1,743	$	-	$	1,743
Total Popular U.S.				$	1,716,354	$	1,570,668	$	1,160,219	$	818,771	$	739,356	$	1,597,224	$	166,294	$	43,030	$	7,811,916

129

December 31, 2020
				Term Loans													Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis
				Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In thousands)					2020		2019		2018		2017		2016		Prior Years						Total
Popular, Inc.
	Commercial:
		Commercial multi-family
			Watch	$	1,643	$	16,787	$	39,980	$	39,713	$	52,989	$	61,829	$	-	$	-	$	212,941
			Special mention		3,122		30,708		4,380		19,593		37,745		24,623		-		-		120,171
			Substandard		-		17,376		21,771		1,755		20,085		6,647		100		-		67,734
			Pass		331,224		326,085		189,863		102,661		134,963		407,500		2,849		-		1,495,145
		Total commercial multi-family		$	335,989	$	390,956	$	255,994	$	163,722	$	245,782	$	500,599	$	2,949	$	-	$	1,895,991

		Commercial real estate non-owner occupied
			Watch	$	171,017	$	97,438	$	104,221	$	96,766	$	82,443	$	260,678	$	3,155	$	-	$	815,718
			Special Mention		-		31,091		139,864		44,334		90,119		82,867		1,186		-		389,461
			Substandard		44,170		92,945		63,294		15,939		70,502		159,202		95		-		446,147
			Pass		486,010		285,289		264,070		296,593		267,075		741,777		9,003		-		2,349,817
		Total commercial real estate non-owner occupied		$	701,197	$	506,763	$	571,449	$	453,632	$	510,139	$	1,244,524	$	13,439	$	-	$	4,001,143

		Commercial real estate owner occupied
			Watch	$	96,439	$	18,585	$	22,353	$	13,820	$	26,273	$	162,553	$	6,849	$	-	$	346,872
			Special Mention		850		6,638		441		6,571		282		173,545		-		-		188,327
			Substandard		1,774		3,333		40,047		1,878		28,442		165,498		-		-		240,972
			Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		1,714		-		-		1,714
			Pass		253,524		101,758		79,368		86,615		146,688		486,115		11,322		-		1,165,390
		Total commercial real estate owner occupied		$	352,587	$	130,314	$	142,209	$	108,884	$	201,685	$	989,425	$	18,171	$	-	$	1,943,275

		Commercial and industrial
			Watch	$	147,682	$	79,794	$	182,806	$	43,939	$	65,164	$	275,413	$	247,307	$	-	$	1,042,105
			Special Mention		42,366		10,297		19,220		47,495		5,717		33,084		87,900		-		246,079
			Substandard		34,970		8,748		26,921		26,769		1,824		57,452		51,430		-		208,114
			Doubtful		-		67		-		1		-		54		1		-		123
			Loss		-		-		-		-		-		-		13		-		13
			Pass		1,591,664		689,736		317,958		301,167		229,204		517,593		622,115		-		4,269,437
		Total commercial and industrial		$	1,816,682	$	788,642	$	546,905	$	419,371	$	301,909	$	883,596	$	1,008,766	$	-	$	5,765,871

130

December 31, 2020
			Term Loans													Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis
			Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In thousands)				2020		2019		2018		2017		2016		Prior Years						Total
Popular, Inc.

	Construction
		Watch	$	8,451	$	105	$	4,895	$	37,015	$	-	$	-	$	960	$	-	$	51,426
		Special Mention		-		-		-		3,089		-		30,083		-		-		33,172
		Substandard		-		-		20,655		30,869		7,560		-		-		-		59,084
		Pass		95,212		311,273		171,834		163,396		8,392		463		24,513		-		775,083
	Total construction		$	103,663	$	311,378	$	197,384	$	234,369	$	15,952	$	30,546	$	25,473	$	-	$	918,765

	Mortgage
		Substandard	$	783	$	903	$	2,393	$	3,129	$	4,702	$	172,646	$	-	$	-	$	184,556
		Pass		620,312		499,679		280,697		221,987		235,354		5,848,095		-		-		7,706,124
	Total mortgage		$	621,095	$	500,582	$	283,090	$	225,116	$	240,056	$	6,020,741	$	-	$	-	$	7,890,680

	Legacy
		Watch	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	2,996	$	-	$	-	$	2,996
		Special Mention		-		-		-		-		-		179		-		-		179
		Substandard		-		-		-		-		-		3,748		-		-		3,748
		Pass		84		-		-		-		-		7,347		1,119		-		8,550
	Total legacy		$	84	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	14,270	$	1,119	$	-	$	15,473

	Leasing
		Substandard	$	200	$	822	$	748	$	913	$	617	$	136	$	-	$	-	$	3,436
		Pass		480,964		315,022		209,340		109,708		63,955		15,236		-		-		1,194,225
	Total leasing		$	481,164	$	315,844	$	210,088	$	110,621	$	64,572	$	15,372	$	-	$	-	$	1,197,661

131

December 31, 2020
				Term Loans													Revolving Loans Amortized Cost Basis		Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis
				Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
(In thousands)					2020		2019		2018		2017		2016		Prior Years						Total
Popular, Inc.
	Consumer:
		Credit cards
			Substandard	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	12,798	$	-	$	12,798
			Pass		-		-		-		-		-		-		907,168		-		907,168
	Total credit cards			$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	919,966	$	-	$	919,966

		HELOCs
			Substandard	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	112	$	-	$	357	$	469
			Loss		-		-		-		-		-		156		-		6,867		7,023
			Pass		-		-		-		-		-		12,447		43,005		35,806		91,258
	Total HELOCs			$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	12,715	$	43,005	$	43,030	$	98,750

		Personal
			Substandard	$	1,371	$	5,566	$	1,906	$	1,096	$	989	$	18,653	$	152	$	1,545	$	31,278
			Loss		-		17		63		12		6		244		2		-		344
			Pass		363,709		523,579		195,835		109,391		59,174		145,949		2,336		45,390		1,445,363
	Total Personal			$	365,080	$	529,162	$	197,804	$	110,499	$	60,169	$	164,846	$	2,490	$	46,935	$	1,476,985

		Auto
			Substandard	$	1,975	$	6,029	$	3,612	$	1,760	$	1,369	$	990	$	-	$	-	$	15,735
			Pass		1,064,082		881,343		628,657		299,677		168,157		74,577		-		-		3,116,493
	Total Auto			$	1,066,057	$	887,372	$	632,269	$	301,437	$	169,526	$	75,567	$	-	$	-	$	3,132,228

		Other consumer
			Substandard	$	-	$	16	$	1,376	$	240	$	174	$	13,075	$	20	$	-	$	14,901
			Pass		16,912		15,698		13,158		4,966		2,828		3,785		56,160		-		113,507
	Total Other consumer			$	16,912	$	15,714	$	14,534	$	5,206	$	3,002	$	16,860	$	56,180	$	-	$	128,408
Total Popular Inc.				$	5,860,510	$	4,376,727	$	3,051,726	$	2,132,857	$	1,812,792	$	9,969,061	$	2,091,558	$	89,965	$	29,385,196

The following table presents the outstanding balance, net of unearned income, of loans held-in-portfolio based on the Corporation’s assignment of obligor risk ratings as defined at December 31, 2019.

132

December 31, 2019
				Special
(In thousands)		Watch		Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Loss		Sub-total		Pass		Total
Puerto Rico
Commercial multi-family		$	1,341	$	3,870	$	1,793	$	-	$	-	$	7,004	$	140,845	$	147,849
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied			492,357		166,810		239,448		3,290		-		901,905		1,206,313		2,108,218
Commercial real estate owner occupied			192,895		184,678		183,377		1,629		-		562,579		1,023,750		1,586,329
Commercial and industrial			592,861		170,183		130,872		148		16		894,080		2,524,654		3,418,734
	Total Commercial		1,279,454		525,541		555,490		5,067		16		2,365,568		4,895,562		7,261,130
Construction			340		649		20,771		-		-		21,760		115,710		137,470
Mortgage			2,187		2,218		127,621		-		-		132,026		6,034,722		6,166,748
Leasing			-		-		3,590		-		68		3,658		1,055,849		1,059,507
Consumer:
	Credit cards		-		-		19,461		-		-		19,461		1,104,339		1,123,800
	HELOCs		-		-		-		-		-		-		5,038		5,038
	Personal		77		-		19,558		-		-		19,635		1,348,515		1,368,150
	Auto		-		-		30,775		-		372		31,147		2,886,375		2,917,522
	Other		459		11		15,020		-		53		15,543		125,324		140,867
	Total Consumer		536		11		84,814		-		425		85,786		5,469,591		5,555,377
Total Puerto Rico		$	1,282,517	$	528,419	$	792,286	$	5,067	$	509	$	2,608,798	$	17,571,434	$	20,180,232
Popular U.S.
Commercial multi-family		$	48,359	$	13,827	$	8,433	$	-	$	-	$	70,619	$	1,576,691	$	1,647,310
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied			80,608		24,383		100,658		-		-		205,649		1,664,647		1,870,296
Commercial real estate owner occupied			27,298		5,709		13,826		-		-		46,833		292,302		339,135
Commercial and industrial			25,679		1,460		20,386		-		-		47,525		1,147,355		1,194,880
	Total Commercial		181,944		45,379		143,303		-		-		370,626		4,680,995		5,051,621
Construction			46,644		17,291		44,798		-		-		108,733		584,889		693,622
Mortgage			-		-		11,091		-		-		11,091		1,005,693		1,016,784
Legacy			388		202		1,528		-		-		2,118		19,987		22,105
Consumer:
	Credit cards		-		-		-		-		-		-		36		36
	HELOCs		-		-		2,024		-		7,930		9,954		107,389		117,343
	Personal		-		-		1,664		-		403		2,067		322,373		324,440
	Other		-		-		-		-		-		-		690		690
	Total Consumer		-		-		3,688		-		8,333		12,021		430,488		442,509
Total Popular U.S.		$	228,976	$	62,872	$	204,408	$	-	$	8,333	$	504,589	$	6,722,052	$	7,226,641
Popular, Inc.
Commercial multi-family		$	49,700	$	17,697	$	10,226	$	-	$	-	$	77,623	$	1,717,536	$	1,795,159
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied			572,965		191,193		340,106		3,290		-		1,107,554		2,870,960		3,978,514
Commercial real estate owner occupied			220,193		190,387		197,203		1,629		-		609,412		1,316,052		1,925,464
Commercial and industrial			618,540		171,643		151,258		148		16		941,605		3,672,009		4,613,614
	Total Commercial		1,461,398		570,920		698,793		5,067		16		2,736,194		9,576,557		12,312,751
Construction			46,984		17,940		65,569		-		-		130,493		700,599		831,092
Mortgage			2,187		2,218		138,712		-		-		143,117		7,040,415		7,183,532
Legacy			388		202		1,528		-		-		2,118		19,987		22,105
Leasing			-		-		3,590		-		68		3,658		1,055,849		1,059,507
Consumer:
	Credit cards		-		-		19,461		-		-		19,461		1,104,375		1,123,836
	HELOCs		-		-		2,024		-		7,930		9,954		112,427		122,381
	Personal		77		-		21,222		-		403		21,702		1,670,888		1,692,590
	Auto		-		-		30,775		-		372		31,147		2,886,375		2,917,522
	Other		459		11		15,020		-		53		15,543		126,014		141,557
	Total Consumer		536		11		88,502		-		8,758		97,807		5,900,079		5,997,886
Total Popular, Inc.		$	1,511,493	$	591,291	$	996,694	$	5,067	$	8,842	$	3,113,387	$	24,293,486	$	27,406,873

The following table presents the weighted average obligor risk rating at December 31, 2019 for those classifications that consider a range of rating scales.

133

Weighted average obligor risk rating		(Scales 11 and 12)			(Scales 1 through 8)
Puerto Rico:			Substandard			Pass
Commercial multi-family				11.82		6.02
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied				11.17		6.77
Commercial real estate owner occupied				11.36		7.30
Commercial and industrial				11.26		7.20
	Total Commercial			11.25		7.10
Construction				11.01		7.85

Popular U.S.:			Substandard			Pass
Commercial multi-family				11.25		7.37
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied				11.00		6.94
Commercial real estate owner occupied				11.02		7.48
Commercial and industrial				11.01		6.63
	Total Commercial			11.02		7.04
Construction				11.00		7.74
Legacy				11.25		7.95

For changes in the allowance for credit losses, loan ending balances and whether such loans and the allowance pertained to loans individually or collectively evaluated for impairment for the year ended December 31, 2019, refer to the allowance activity section of this note.

Impaired loans

The following tables present loans individually evaluated for impairment at December 31, 2019.

134

December 31, 2019
Puerto Rico
	Impaired Loans – With an						Impaired Loans
	Allowance						With No Allowance				Impaired Loans - Total
			Unpaid						Unpaid				Unpaid
	Recorded		principal		Related		Recorded		principal		Recorded		principal			Related
(In thousands)	investment		balance		allowance		investment		balance		investment		balance			allowance
Commercial multi-family	$	1,196	$	1,229	$	4	$	1,017	$	1,247	$	2,213	$	2,476	$	4
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied		44,975		45,803		12,281		149,587		173,124		194,562		218,927		12,281
Commercial real estate owner occupied		105,841		122,814		5,077		26,365		58,540		132,206		181,354		5,077
Commercial and industrial		43,640		47,611		3,171		24,831		44,255		68,471		91,866		3,171
Construction		119		119		6		-		-		119		119		6
Mortgage		420,949		479,936		40,596		101,520		134,331		522,469		614,267		40,596
Leasing		507		507		61		-		-		507		507		61
Consumer:
Credit cards		24,475		24,475		2,957		-		-		24,475		24,475		2,957
Personal		65,521		65,521		17,142		-		-		65,521		65,521		17,142
Auto		310		310		51		-		-		310		310		51
Other		851		851		109		-		-		851		851		109
Total Puerto Rico	$	708,384	$	789,176	$	81,455	$	303,320	$	411,497	$	1,011,704	$	1,200,673	$	81,455

December 31, 2019
Popular U.S.
	Impaired Loans – With an						Impaired Loans
	Allowance						With No Allowance				Impaired Loans - Total
			Unpaid						Unpaid				Unpaid
	Recorded		principal		Related		Recorded		principal		Recorded		principal		Related
(In thousands)	investment		balance		allowance		investment		balance		investment		balance		allowance
Commercial multi-family	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	2,097	$	2,539	$	2,097	$	2,539	$	-
Mortgage		6,906		7,257		2,208		2,480		2,844		9,386		10,101		2,208
Consumer:
HELOCs		6,691		6,691		1,560		2,829		3,087		9,520		9,778		1,560
Personal		26		26		3		88		88		114		114		3
Total Popular U.S.	$	13,623	$	13,974	$	3,771	$	7,494	$	8,558	$	21,117	$	22,532	$	3,771

December 31, 2019
Popular, Inc.
	Impaired Loans – With an						Impaired Loans
	Allowance						With No Allowance				Impaired Loans - Total
			Unpaid						Unpaid				Unpaid
	Recorded		principal		Related		Recorded		principal		Recorded		principal		Related
(In thousands)	investment		balance		allowance		investment		balance		investment		balance		allowance
Commercial multi-family	$	1,196	$	1,229	$	4	$	3,114	$	3,786	$	4,310	$	5,015	$	4
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied		44,975		45,803		12,281		149,587		173,124		194,562		218,927		12,281
Commercial real estate owner occupied		105,841		122,814		5,077		26,365		58,540		132,206		181,354		5,077
Commercial and industrial		43,640		47,611		3,171		24,831		44,255		68,471		91,866		3,171
Construction		119		119		6		-		-		119		119		6
Mortgage		427,855		487,193		42,804		104,000		137,175		531,855		624,368		42,804
Leasing		507		507		61		-		-		507		507		61
Consumer:
Credit cards		24,475		24,475		2,957		-		-		24,475		24,475		2,957
HELOCs		6,691		6,691		1,560		2,829		3,087		9,520		9,778		1,560
Personal		65,547		65,547		17,145		88		88		65,635		65,635		17,145
Auto		310		310		51		-		-		310		310		51
Other		851		851		109		-		-		851		851		109
Total Popular, Inc.	$	722,007	$	803,150	$	85,226	$	310,814	$	420,055	$	1,032,821	$	1,223,205	$	85,226

135

The following table presents the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the year ended December 31, 2019.

For the year ended December 31, 2019
	Puerto Rico				Popular U.S.				Popular, Inc.
	Average		Interest		Average		Interest		Average		Interest
	recorded		income		recorded		income		recorded		income
(In thousands)	investment		recognized		investment		recognized		investment		recognized
Commercial multi-family	$	1,470	$	50	$	1,343	$	-	$	2,813	$	50
Commercial real estate non-owner occupied		183,233		5,742		-		-		183,233		5,742
Commercial real estate owner occupied		137,710		6,528		626		-		138,336		6,528
Commercial and industrial		71,828		4,097		-		-		71,828		4,097
Construction		1,151		25		9,248		-		10,399		25
Mortgage		518,487		16,810		9,416		153		527,903		16,963
Leasing		823		-		-		-		823		-
Consumer:
Credit cards		26,775		-		-		-		26,775		-
HELOCs		-		-		8,988		-		8,988		-
Personal		69,664		282		380		-		70,044		282
Auto		823		-		-		-		823		-
Other		1,044		-		-		-		1,044		-
Total Popular, Inc.	$	1,013,008	$	33,534	$	30,001	$	153	$	1,043,009	$	33,687

136

Note 9 – Mortgage banking activities

Income from mortgage banking activities includes mortgage servicing fees earned in connection with administering residential mortgage loans and valuation adjustments on mortgage servicing rights. It also includes gain on sales and securitizations of residential mortgage loans, losses on repurchased loans, including interest advances, and trading gains and losses on derivative contracts used to hedge the Corporation’s securitization activities. In addition, lower-of-cost-or-market valuation adjustments to residential mortgage loans held for sale, if any, are recorded as part of the mortgage banking activities.

The following table presents the components of mortgage banking activities:

		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)			2020		2019		2018
Mortgage servicing fees, net of fair value adjustments:
	Mortgage servicing fees	$	43,234	$	46,952	$	49,532
	Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustments		(42,055)		(27,430)		(8,477)
Total mortgage servicing fees, net of fair value adjustments			1,179		19,522		41,055
Net gain on sale of loans, including valuation on loans held for sale			31,215		18,817		9,424
Trading account (loss) profit:
	Unrealized (losses) gains on outstanding derivative positions		-		-		(253)
	Realized (losses) gains on closed derivative positions		(10,586)		(6,246)		2,576
Total trading account (loss) profit			(10,586)		(6,246)		2,323
Losses on repurchased loans, including interest advances [1]			(11,407)		-		-
Total mortgage banking activities		$	10,401	$	32,093	$	52,802
[1]	The Corporation, from time to time, repurchases delinquent loans from its GNMA servicing portfolio, in compliance with Guarantor guidelines, and may incur in losses related to previously advanced interest on delinquent loans. During the quarter ended September 30, 2020 the Corporation repurchased $687.9 million of GNMA loans and recorded a loss of $10.5 million for previously advanced interest on delinquent loans. Effective for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the Corporation has determined to present these losses as part of its Mortgage Banking Activities, which were previously presented within the indemnity reserves on loans sold component of non-interest income. The amount of these losses for prior years were considered immaterial for reclassification.

137

Note 10 – Transfers of financial assets and mortgage servicing assets

The Corporation typically transfers conforming residential mortgage loans in conjunction with GNMA and FNMA securitization transactions whereby the loans are exchanged for cash or securities and servicing rights. As seller, the Corporation has made certain representations and warranties with respect to the originally transferred loans and, in the past, has sold certain loans with credit recourse to a government-sponsored entity, namely FNMA. Refer to Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of such arrangements.

No liabilities were incurred as a result of these securitizations during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 because they did not contain any credit recourse arrangements. The Corporation recorded a net gain of $27.3 million and $ 17.2 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 related to the residential mortgage loans securitized.

The following tables present the initial fair value of the assets obtained as proceeds from residential mortgage loans securitized during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

		Proceeds Obtained During the Year Ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Initial fair value
Assets
Trading account debt securities:
Mortgage-backed securities - GNMA	$	-	$	332,207	$	-	$	332,207
Mortgage-backed securities - FNMA		-		175,864		-		175,864
Total trading account debt securities	$	-	$	508,071	$	-	$	508,071
Mortgage servicing rights	$	-	$	-	$	7,236	$	7,236
Total	$	-	$	508,071	$	7,236	$	515,307

		Proceeds Obtained During the Year Ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Initial fair value
Assets
Trading account debt securities:
Mortgage-backed securities - GNMA	$	-	$	347,396	$	-	$	347,396
Mortgage-backed securities - FNMA		-		111,362		-		111,362
Total trading account debt securities	$	-	$	458,758	$	-	$	458,758
Mortgage servicing rights	$	-	$	-	$	8,185	$	8,185
Total	$	-	$	458,758	$	8,185	$	466,943

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation retained servicing rights on whole loan sales involving approximately $147 million in principal balance outstanding (2019 - $63 million), with net realized gains of approximately $3.9 million (2019 - $1.6 million). All loan sales performed during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were without credit recourse agreements.

The Corporation recognizes as assets the rights to service loans for others, whether these rights are purchased or result from asset transfers such as sales and securitizations. These mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) are measured at fair value.

The Corporation uses a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of MSRs. The discounted cash flow model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of prepayment speeds, discount rate, cost to service, escrow account earnings, contractual servicing fee income, prepayment and late fees, among other considerations. Prepayment speeds are adjusted for the Corporation’s loan characteristics and portfolio behavior.

The following table presents the changes in MSRs measured using the fair value method for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

138

Residential MSRs
(In thousands)		December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Fair value at beginning of period		$	150,906	$	169,777
Additions			9,544		9,143
Changes due to payments on loans^[1]			(11,692)		(11,549)
Reduction due to loan repurchases			(11,060)		(1,777)
Changes in fair value due to changes in valuation model inputs or assumptions			(19,327)		(14,190)
Other disposals			24		(498)
Fair value at end of period		$	118,395	$	150,906
[1]	Represents changes due to collection / realization of expected cash flows over time.

Residential mortgage loans serviced for others were $12.9 billion at December 31, 2020 (2019 - $14.8 billion).

Net mortgage servicing fees, a component of mortgage banking activities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, include the changes from period to period in the fair value of the MSRs, including changes due to collection / realization of expected cash flows. The banking subsidiaries receive servicing fees based on a percentage of the outstanding loan balance. These servicing fees are credited to income when they are collected. At December 31, 2020, those weighted average mortgage servicing fees were 0.31% (2019 – 0.30%). Under these servicing agreements, the banking subsidiaries do not generally earn significant prepayment penalty fees on the underlying loans serviced.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2020, PB commenced selling whole loans with servicing retained. At December 31, 2020, PB had MSRs amounting to $ 0.7 million.

The section below includes information on assumptions used in the valuation model of the MSRs, originated and purchased. Key economic assumptions used in measuring the servicing rights derived from loans securitized or sold by the Corporation during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	Years ended
	December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
	BPPR		PB		BPPR		PB
Prepayment speed	7.6	%	21.9	%	7.0	%	-	%
Weighted average life (in years)	8.7		3.6		9.5		-
Discount rate (annual rate)	10.9	%	10.5	%	10.9	%	-	%

Key economic assumptions used to estimate the fair value of MSRs derived from sales and securitizations of mortgage loans performed by the banking subsidiaries and servicing rights purchased from other financial institutions, and the sensitivity to immediate changes in those assumptions, were as follows as of the end of the periods reported:

		Originated MSRs						Purchased MSRs
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
(In thousands)		2020			2019			2020			2019
Fair value of servicing rights		$	44,129		$	58,842		$	74,266		$	92,064
Weighted average life (in years)			6.2			6.7			5.9			6.3
Weighted average prepayment speed (annual rate)			6.6	%		5.7	%		7.1	%		6.2	%
	Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change	$	(1,115)		$	(1,303)		$	(2,206)		$	(2,306)
	Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change	$	(2,194)		$	(2,568)		$	(4,312)		$	(4,525)
Weighted average discount rate (annual rate)			11.3	%		11.4	%		11.1	%		11.0	%
	Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change	$	(1,640)		$	(2,381)		$	(2,740)		$	(3,603)
	Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change	$	(3,175)		$	(4,596)		$	(5,301)		$	(6,959)

139

The sensitivity analyses presented in the table above for servicing rights are hypothetical and should be used with caution. As the figures indicate, changes in fair value based on a 10 and 20 percent variation in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also, in the sensitivity tables included herein, the effect of a variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of the retained interest is calculated without changing any other assumption. In reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in another (for example, increases in market interest rates may result in lower prepayments and increased credit losses), which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation serviced $0.9 billion (2019 - $ 1.2 billion) in residential mortgage loans with credit recourse to the Corporation, from which $52 million was 60 days or more past due (2019 - $73 million). The reduction was mainly related to a bulk loan repurchase from FNMA and FHLMC loan servicing portfolio discussed in Note 7 - Loans. Also refer to Note 22 for information on changes in the Corporation’s liability of estimated losses related to loans serviced with credit recourse.

Under the GNMA securitizations, the Corporation, as servicer, has the right to repurchase (but not the obligation), at its option and without GNMA’s prior authorization, any loan that is collateral for a GNMA guaranteed mortgage-backed security when certain delinquency criteria are met. At the time that individual loans meet GNMA’s specified delinquency criteria and are eligible for repurchase, the Corporation is deemed to have regained effective control over these loans if the Corporation was the pool issuer. At December 31, 2020, the Corporation had recorded $57 million in mortgage loans on its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition related to this buy-back option program (2019 - $103 million). Loans in our serviced GNMA portfolio benefit from payment forbearance programs but continue to reflect the contractual delinquency until the borrower repays deferred payments or completes a payment deferral modification or other borrower assistance alternative. As long as the Corporation continues to service the loans that continue to be collateral in a GNMA guaranteed mortgage-backed security, the MSR is recognized by the Corporation.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation repurchased approximately $862 million of mortgage loans from its GNMA servicing portfolio (2019 - $104 million). The determination to repurchase these loans was based on the economic benefits of the transaction, which results in a reduction of the servicing costs for these severely delinquent loans, mostly related to principal and interest advances. The risk associated with the loans is reduced due to their guaranteed nature. The Corporation may place these loans under COVID-19 modification programs offered by FHA, VA or USDA or other loss mitigation programs offered by the Corporation, and once brought back to current status, these may be either retained in portfolio or re-sold in the secondary market.

140

Note 11 - Premises and equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization as follows:

(In thousands)		Useful life in years		2020		2019
Premises and equipment:
	Land		$	109,780	$	114,481
	Buildings	10-50		512,131		535,602
	Equipment	2-10		350,014		362,543
	Leasehold improvements	3-10		87,289		92,923
				949,434		991,068
	Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization			574,835		561,742
	Subtotal			374,599		429,326
	Construction in progress			25,862		12,843
Premises and equipment, net			$	510,241	$	556,650

Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment for the year 2020 was $58.4 million (2019 -$58.1 million; 2018 - $52.5 million), of which $27.2 million (2019 - $27.3 million; 2018 - $24.3 million) was charged to occupancy expense and $31.2 million (2019 - $30.8 million; 2018 - $28.2 million) was charged to equipment, communications and other operating expenses. Occupancy expense of premises and equipment is net of rental income of $15.5 million (2019 - $19.3 million; 2018 - $28.2 million). For information related to the amortization expense of finance leases, refer to Note 32 - Leases.

141

Note 12 – Other real estate owned

The following tables present the activity related to Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”), for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

		For the year ended December 31, 2020
		OREO		OREO
(In thousands)		Commercial/Construction		Mortgage		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	16,959	$	105,113	$	122,072
Write-downs in value		(1,564)		(3,060)		(4,624)
Additions		2,223		17,785		20,008
Sales		(4,359)		(49,797)		(54,156)
Other adjustments		(45)		(109)		(154)
Ending balance	$	13,214	$	69,932	$	83,146

		For the year ended December 31, 2019
		OREO		OREO
(In thousands)		Commercial/Construction		Mortgage		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	21,794	$	114,911	$	136,705
Write-downs in value		(1,584)		(4,541)		(6,125)
Additions		6,801		62,630		69,431
Sales		(9,892)		(67,137)		(77,029)
Other adjustments		(160)		(750)		(910)
Ending balance	$	16,959	$	105,113	$	122,072

			For the year ended December 31, 2018
			Non-covered		Non-covered		Covered
			OREO		OREO		OREO
(In thousands)			Commercial/ Construction		Mortgage		Mortgage		Total
Balance at beginning of period		$	21,411	$	147,849	$	19,595	$	188,855
Write-downs in value			(2,974)		(10,380)		(287)		(13,641)
Additions			10,688		41,167		-		51,855
Sales			(8,108)		(78,330)		(3,282)		(89,720)
Other adjustments			777		(728)		(693)		(644)
Transfer to non-covered status^[1]			-		15,333		(15,333)		-
Ending balance		$	21,794	$	114,911	$	-	$	136,705
[1]	Represents the reclassification of OREOs to the non-covered category, pursuant to the Termination Agreement of all shared-loss agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation related to loans acquired from Westernbank, that was completed on May 22, 2018.

142

Note 13 − Other assets

The caption of other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition consists of the following major categories:

(In thousands)	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Net deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance)	$	851,592	$	886,353
Investments under the equity method		250,467		237,081
Prepaid taxes		32,615		47,226
Other prepaid expenses		74,572		82,425
Derivative assets		20,785		17,966
Trades receivable from brokers and counterparties		65,429		47,049
Principal, interest and escrow servicing advances		65,671		77,800
Guaranteed mortgage loan claims receivable		80,477		108,946
Operating ROU assets (Note 32)		131,921		149,849
Finance ROU assets (Note 32)		15,464		12,888
Others		148,048		152,032
Total other assets	$	1,737,041	$	1,819,615

The Corporation enters in the ordinary course of business into technology hosting arrangements that are service contracts. These arrangements can include capitalizable implementation costs that are amortized during the term of the hosting arrangement. The Corporation recognizes capitalizable implementation costs related to hosting arrangements that are service contracts within Others in the table above. As of December 31, 2020, the total capitalized implementation costs amounted to $17.4 million with an accumulated amortization of $4.9 million for a net value of $12.5 million. Total amortization expense for all capitalized implementation costs of hosting arrangements that are service contracts for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $ 2.2 million.

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Note 14 – Goodwill and other intangible assets

There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Corporation had $6.1 million of identifiable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, mostly associated with the E-LOAN trademark.

The following table reflects the components of other intangible assets subject to amortization:

		Gross				Net
		Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
(In thousands)		Amount		Amortization		Value
December 31, 2020
	Core deposits	$	12,810	$	7,473	$	5,337
	Other customer relationships		26,397		15,684		10,713
	Trademark		488		236		252
Total other intangible assets		$	39,695	$	23,393	$	16,302
December 31, 2019
	Core deposits	$	37,224	$	29,792	$	7,432
	Other customer relationships		42,909		28,075		14,834
	Trademark		488		138		350
Total other intangible assets		$	80,621	$	58,005	$	22,616

During the year ended December 31, 2020, $24.4 million in core deposits recognized as part of the Westernbank FDIC-assisted transaction during 2010 and $16.3 million in other customer relationships related to the purchase of the Doral Insurance Agency portfolio during 2015 became fully amortized and thus were removed from the Corporation’s intangible assets.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Corporation recognized $9.6 million in customer relationship intangibles in connection with the acquisition of a credit card portfolio in Puerto Rico.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recognized $ 6.4 million in amortization expense related to other intangible assets with definite useful lives (2019 - $ 9.4 million; 2018 - $ 9.3 million).

The following table presents the estimated amortization of the intangible assets with definite useful lives for each of the following periods:

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(In thousands)
Year 2021	$	3,575
Year 2022		2,700
Year 2023		2,659
Year 2024		2,361
Year 2025		1,172
Later years		3,835

Results of the Annual Goodwill Impairment Test

The Corporation’s goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets having an indefinite useful life are tested for impairment, at least annually and on a more frequent basis if events or circumstances indicate impairment could have taken place. Such events could include, among others, a significant adverse change in the business climate, an adverse action by a regulator, an unanticipated change in the competitive environment and a decision to change the operations or dispose of a reporting unit.

Management monitors events or changes in circumstances between annual tests to determine if these events or changes in circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of its reporting units below their carrying amounts.

The Corporation performed the annual goodwill impairment evaluation for the entire organization during the third quarter of 2020 using July 31, 2020 as the annual evaluation date. The reporting units utilized for this evaluation were those that are one level below the business segments, which are the legal entities within the reportable segment. The Corporation follows push-down accounting, as such all goodwill is assigned to the reporting units when carrying out a business combination.

As discussed in Note 3, “New accounting pronouncements”, effective on January 1, 2020, the Corporation adopted ASU 2017-04, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 of the two-step goodwill impairment test under the previous guidance. Accordingly, if the carrying amount of any of the reporting units exceeds its fair value, the Corporation would be required to record an impairment charge for the difference up to the amount of the goodwill.

In determining the fair value of each reporting unit, the Corporation generally uses a combination of methods, including market price multiples of comparable companies and transactions, as well as discounted cash flow analysis. Management evaluates the particular circumstances of each reporting unit in order to determine the most appropriate valuation methodology and the weights applied to each valuation methodology, as applicable. The Corporation evaluates the results obtained under each valuation methodology to identify and understand the key value drivers in order to ascertain that the results obtained are reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. Elements considered include current market and economic conditions, developments in specific lines of business, and any particular features in the individual reporting units.

The computations require management to make estimates and assumptions. Critical assumptions that are used as part of these evaluations include:

· a selection of comparable publicly traded companies, based on nature of business, location and size;

· a selection of comparable acquisitions;

· the discount rate applied to future earnings, based on an estimate of the cost of equity;

· the potential future earnings of the reporting unit; and

· the market growth and new business assumptions.

For purposes of the market comparable companies’ approach, valuations were determined by calculating average price multiples of relevant value drivers from a group of companies that are comparable to the reporting unit being analyzed and applying those price multiples to the value drivers of the reporting unit. Management uses judgment in the determination of which value drivers are considered more appropriate for each reporting unit. Comparable companies’ price multiples represent minority-based multiples and thus, a control premium adjustment is added to the comparable companies’ market multiples applied to the reporting unit’s value drivers. For purposes of the market comparable transactions’ approach, valuations had been previously determined by the Corporation by calculating average price multiples of relevant value drivers from a group of transactions for which the target companies are comparable to the reporting unit being analyzed and applying those price multiples to the value drivers of the reporting unit. For the July 31, 2020 annual goodwill impairment test, and after considering the effects of COVID-19 in the M&A

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market and uncertainties regarding the comparability and reliability of those few transactions completed, management decided to give zero weight to the market comparable transactions approach.

For purposes of the discounted cash flows (“DCF”) approach, the valuation is based on estimated future cash flows. The financial projections used in the DCF valuation analysis for each reporting unit are based on the most recent (as of the valuation date) financial projections presented to the Corporation’s Asset / Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”). The growth assumptions included in these projections are based on management’s expectations for each reporting unit’s financial prospects considering economic and industry conditions as well as particular plans of each entity (i.e. restructuring plans, de-leveraging, etc.). The cost of equity used to discount the cash flows was calculated using the Ibbotson Build-Up Method and ranged from 10.72% to 15.13 % for the 2020 analysis. The Ibbotson Build-Up Method builds up a cost of equity starting with the rate of return of a “risk-free” asset (20-year U.S. Treasury note) and adds to it additional risk elements such as equity risk premium, size premium, industry risk premium, and a specific geographic risk premium (as applicable). The resulting discount rates were analyzed in terms of reasonability given the current market conditions.

No impairment was recognized by the Corporation from the annual test as of July 31, 2020. The results of the BPPR annual goodwill impairment test as of July 31, 2020 indicated that the average estimated fair value using the DCF and market comparable companies methodologies exceeded BPPR’s equity value by approximately $282 million or 9% compared to $1.2 billion or 37%, for the annual goodwill impairment test completed as of July 31, 2019. PB’s annual goodwill impairment test results as of such dates indicated that the average estimated fair value using the DCF and market comparable companies methodologies exceeded PB’s equity value by approximately $215 million or 13%, compared to $338 million or 21%, for the annual goodwill impairment test completed as of July 31, 2019. The goodwill balance of BPPR and PB, as legal entities, represented approximately 91% of the Corporation’s total goodwill balance as of the July 31, 2020 valuation date.

Furthermore, as part of the analyses, management performed a reconciliation of the aggregate fair values determined for the reporting units to the market capitalization of the Corporation concluding that the fair value results determined for the reporting units in the July 31, 2020 annual assessment were reasonable.

The goodwill impairment evaluation process requires the Corporation to make estimates and assumptions with regard to the fair value of the reporting units. Actual values may differ significantly from these estimates. Such differences could result in future impairment of goodwill that would, in turn, negatively impact the Corporation’s results of operations and the reporting units where the goodwill is recorded. Declines in the Corporation’s market capitalization and adverse economic conditions sustained over a longer period of time negatively affecting forecasted cash flows could increase the risk of goodwill impairment in the future.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic further impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as the operations of our clients, customers, service providers and suppliers, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and is difficult to predict, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response thereto. A further decline in the Corporation’s stock price related to global and/or regional macroeconomic conditions, the continued weakness in the Puerto Rico economy and fiscal situation, reduced future earnings estimates, additional expenses and higher credit losses, and the continuance of the current interest rate environment could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material impact on the determination of the fair value of our reporting units, which could in turn result in an impairment of goodwill in the future. An impairment of goodwill would result in a non-cash expense, net of tax impact. A charge to earnings related to a goodwill impairment would not impact regulatory capital calculations.

The following tables present the gross amount of goodwill and accumulated impairment losses by reportable segments.

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December 31, 2020
	Balance at				Balance at
	December 31,		Accumulated		December 31,
	2020		impairment		2020
(In thousands)	(gross amounts)		losses		(net amounts)
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico	$	324,049	$	3,801	$	320,248
Popular U.S.		515,285		164,411		350,874
Total Popular, Inc.	$	839,334	$	168,212	$	671,122

December 31, 2019
	Balance at				Balance at
	December 31,		Accumulated		December 31,
	2019		impairment		2019
(In thousands)	(gross amounts)		losses		(net amounts)
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico	$	324,049	$	3,801	$	320,248
Popular U.S.		515,285		164,411		350,874
Total Popular, Inc.	$	839,334	$	168,212	$	671,122

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Note 15 – Deposits

Total interest bearing deposits as of the end of the periods presented consisted of:

(In thousands)		December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Savings accounts		$	14,031,736	$	10,618,629
NOW, money market and other interest bearing demand deposits			22,398,057		16,305,007
Total savings, NOW, money market and other interest bearing demand deposits			36,429,793		26,923,636
Certificates of deposit:
	Under $100,000		2,917,700		3,133,840
	$100,000 and over		4,390,148		4,540,957
Total certificates of deposit			7,307,848		7,674,797
Total interest bearing deposits		$	43,737,641	$	34,598,433

A summary of certificates of deposit by maturity at December 31, 2020 follows:

(In thousands)
2021	$	4,486,877
2022		964,179
2023		658,383
2024		562,093
2025		568,047
2026 and thereafter		68,269
Total certificates of deposit	$	7,307,848

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation had brokered deposits amounting to $0.8 billion (December 31, 2019 - $ 0.5 billion).

The aggregate amount of overdrafts in demand deposit accounts that were reclassified to loans was $3 million at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $4 million)

At December 31, 2020, public sector deposits amounted to $15.1 billion. These balances are expected to decline over the long term, however, the receipt by the P.R. Government of additional COVID-19 and hurricane relief related Federal assistance, and seasonal tax collections are likely to increase public deposit balances at BPPR in the near term. The rate at which public deposit balances will decline is uncertain and difficult to predict. The amount and timing of any such reduction is likely to be impacted by, for example, the timeline of current debt restructuring efforts under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”) and the speed at which the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act “CARES Act” assistance is distributed.

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Note 16 – Borrowings

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase amounted to $121 million at December 31, 2020 and $193 million December 31, 2019.

The Corporation’s repurchase transactions are overcollateralized with the securities detailed in the table below. The Corporation’s repurchase agreements have a right of set-off with the respective counterparty under the supplemental terms of the master repurchase agreements. In an event of default each party has a right of set-off against the other party for amounts owed in the related agreement and any other amount or obligation owed in respect of any other agreement or transaction between them. Pursuant to the Corporation’s accounting policy, the repurchase agreements are not offset with other repurchase agreements held with the same counterparty.

The following table presents information related to the Corporation’s repurchase transactions accounted for as secured borrowings that are collateralized with debt securities available-for-sale, other assets held-for-trading purposes or which have been obtained under agreements to resell. It is the Corporation’s policy to maintain effective control over assets sold under agreements to repurchase; accordingly, such securities continue to be carried on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Repurchase agreements accounted for as secured borrowings

		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
				Repurchase liability				Repurchase liability
			Repurchase	weighted average			Repurchase	weighted average
(Dollars in thousands)			liability	interest rate			liability	interest rate
U.S. Treasury securities
	Within 30 days	$	67,157	1.16	%	$	88,646	2.59	%
	After 30 to 90 days		39,318	1.20			78,061	2.36
	After 90 days		9,979	0.33			24,538	2.52
Total U.S. Treasury securities			116,454	1.10			191,245	2.49
Mortgage-backed securities
	Within 30 days		3,778	0.28			1,235	0.30
	After 30 to 90 days		268	1.50			-	-
Total mortgage-backed securities			4,046	0.36			1,235	0.30
Collateralized mortgage obligations
	Within 30 days		803	0.24			898	0.24
Total collateralized mortgage obligations			803	0.24			898	0.24
Total		$	121,303	1.07	%	$	193,378	2.46	%

Repurchase agreements in this portfolio are generally short-term, often overnight. As such our risk is very limited. We manage the liquidity risks arising from secured funding by sourcing funding globally from a diverse group of counterparties, providing a range of securities collateral and pursuing longer durations, when appropriate.

Assets sold under agreements to repurchase:

(Dollars in thousands)			2020			2019
Maximum aggregate balance outstanding at any month-end		$	195,498		$	281,833
Average monthly aggregate balance outstanding		$	143,718		$	222,565
Weighted average interest rate:
	For the year		1.63	%		2.64	%
	At December 31		1.11	%		2.50	%

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There were no other short-term borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The following table presents additional information related to the Corporation’s other short-term borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Other short-term borrowings:

(Dollars in thousands)			2020			2019
Maximum aggregate balance outstanding at any month-end		$	100,000		$	160,000
Average monthly aggregate balance outstanding		$	21,557		$	8,703
Weighted average interest rate:
	For the year		0.56	%		2.50	%
	At December 31		0.73	%		1.85	%

The following table presents the composition of notes payable at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

(In thousands)	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Advances with the FHLB with maturities ranging from 2021 through 2029 paying interest at monthly fixed rates ranging from 0.39% to 4.19% (2019 - 1.14% to 4.19%)	$	542,469	$	421,399
Advances with the FRB maturing on 2022 paying interest at annual fixed rate of 0.35%		1,009		-
Unsecured senior debt securities maturing on 2023 paying interest semiannually at a fixed rate of 6.125%, net of debt issuance costs of $3,426 (2019 - $4,693)		296,574		295,307
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (related to trust preferred securities) with maturities ranging from 2033 to 2034 with fixed interest rates ranging from 6.125% to 6.7%, net of debt issuance costs of $369 (2019 - $396)		384,929		384,902
Total notes payable	$	1,224,981	$	1,101,608

A breakdown of borrowings by contractual maturities at December 31, 2020 is included in the table below.

		Assets sold under
(In thousands)		agreements to repurchase		Notes payable	Total
2021	$	121,303	$	50,040	$	171,343
2022		-		104,156		104,156
2023		-		339,835		339,835
2024		-		91,944		91,944
2025		-		139,920		139,920
Later years		-		499,086		499,086
Total borrowings	$	121,303	$	1,224,981	$	1,346,284

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Corporation had FHLB borrowing facilities whereby the Corporation could borrow up to $3.0 billion and $ 3.6 billion, respectively, of which $0.5 billion and $ 0.4 billion, respectively, were used. In addition, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Corporation had placed $ 0.9 billion of the available FHLB credit facility as collateral for municipal letters of credit to secure deposits. The FHLB borrowing facilities are collateralized with loans held-in-portfolio, and do not have restrictive covenants or callable features.

Also, at December 31, 2020, the Corporation has a borrowing facility at the discount window of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York amounting to $1.4 billion (2019 - $1.1 billion), which remained unused at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

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Note 17 – Trust preferred securities

Statutory trusts established by the Corporation (Popular Capital Trust I, Popular North America Capital Trust I and Popular Capital Trust II) had issued trust preferred securities (also referred to as “capital securities”) to the public. The proceeds from such issuances, together with the proceeds of the related issuances of common securities of the trusts (the “common securities”), were used by the trusts to purchase junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (the “junior subordinated debentures”) issued by the Corporation.

The sole assets of the trusts consisted of the junior subordinated debentures of the Corporation and the related accrued interest receivable. These trusts are not consolidated by the Corporation pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The junior subordinated debentures are included by the Corporation as notes payable in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, while the common securities issued by the issuer trusts are included as debt securities held-to-maturity. The common securities of each trust are wholly-owned, or indirectly wholly-owned, by the Corporation.

The following table presents financial data pertaining to the different trusts at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

(Dollars in thousands)
						Popular
		Popular			North America					Popular
Issuer	Capital Trust I				Capital Trust I				Capital Trust Il
Capital securities		$	181,063			$	91,651			$	101,023
Distribution rate			6.700	%			6.564	%			6.125	%
Common securities		$	5,601			$	2,835			$	3,125
Junior subordinated debentures aggregate liquidation amount		$	186,664			$	94,486			$	104,148
Stated maturity date		November 2033				September 2034				December 2034
Reference notes			[2],[4],[5]				[1],[3],[5]				[2],[4],[5]

[1] Statutory business trust that is wholly-owned by PNA and indirectly wholly-owned by the Corporation.

[2] Statutory business trust that is wholly-owned by the Corporation.

[3] The obligations of PNA under the junior subordinated debentures and its guarantees of the capital securities under the trust are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Corporation to the extent set forth in the applicable guarantee agreement.

[4] These capital securities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Corporation to the extent set forth in the applicable guarantee agreement.

[5] The Corporation has the right, subject to any required prior approval from the Federal Reserve, to redeem after certain dates or upon the occurrence of certain events mentioned below, the junior subordinated debentures at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption . The maturity of the junior subordinated debentures may be shortened at the option of the Corporation prior to their stated maturity dates (i) on or after the stated optional redemption dates stipulated in the agreements, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, or (ii) in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following the occurrence and during the continuation of a tax event, an investment company event or a capital treatment event as set forth in the indentures relating to the capital securities, in each case subject to regulatory approval.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Corporation’s $374 million in trust preferred securities outstanding do not qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment, but instead qualify for Tier 2 capital treatment.

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Note 18 − Other liabilities

The caption of other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition consists of the following major categories:

(In thousands)	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accrued expenses	$	235,449	$	273,184
Accrued interest payable		38,622		44,026
Accounts payable		69,784		65,688
Dividends payable		33,701		29,027
Trades payable		720,212		4,084
Liability for GNMA loans sold with an option to repurchase		57,189		102,663
Reserves for loan indemnifications		24,781		38,074
Reserve for operational losses		41,452		35,665
Operating lease liabilities (Note 32)		152,588		165,139
Finance lease liabilities (Note 32)		22,572		19,810
Pension benefit obligation		35,568		52,616
Postretirement benefit obligation		179,211		168,681
Others		73,560		46,296
Total other liabilities	$	1,684,689	$	1,044,953

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Note 19 – Stockholders’ equity

The Corporation’s common stock ranks junior to all series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and / or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. Dividends on each series of preferred stocks are payable if declared. The Corporation’s ability to declare or pay dividends on, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, its common stock is subject to certain restrictions in the event that the Corporation fails to pay or set aside full dividends on the preferred stock for the latest dividend period. The ability of the Corporation to pay dividends in the future is limited by regulatory requirements, legal availability of funds, recent and projected financial results, capital levels and liquidity of the Corporation, general business conditions and other factors deemed relevant by the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

The Corporation’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the “NASDAQ”) under the symbol BPOP. The 2003 Series A Preferred Stock are not listed on NASDAQ.

Preferred stocks

The Corporation has 30,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock that may be issued in one or more series, and the shares of each series shall have such rights and preferences as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors when authorizing the issuance of that particular series. The Corporation’s shares of preferred stock at December 31, 2020 consisted of:

· 6.375% non-cumulative monthly income preferred stock, 2003 Series A, no par value, liquidation preference value of $25 per share. Holders on record of the 2003 Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or an authorized committee thereof, out of funds legally available, non-cumulative cash dividends at the annual rate per share of 6.375 % of their liquidation preference value, or $0.1328125 per share per month. These shares of preferred stock are perpetual, nonconvertible, have no preferential rights to purchase any securities of the Corporation and are redeemable solely at the option of the Corporation with the consent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The redemption price per share is $ 25.00. The shares of 2003 Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except for certain rights in instances when the Corporation does not pay dividends for a defined period. These shares are not subject to any sinking fund requirement. Cash dividends declared and paid on the 2003 Series A Preferred Stock amounted to $ 1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Outstanding shares of 2003 Series A Preferred Stock amounted to 885,726 at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

On February 24, 2020, the Corporation redeemed all the outstanding shares of the 2008 Series B Preferred Stock. The redemption price of the 2008 Series B Preferred Stock was $25.00 per share, plus $0.1375 (representing the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends for the current monthly dividend period to the redemption date), for a total payment per share in the amount of $25.1375.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Corporation had 1,120,665 outstanding shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock, described as follows:

· 8.25% non-cumulative monthly income preferred stock, 2008 Series B, no par value, liquidation preference value of $25 per share. The shares of 2008 Series B Preferred Stock were issued in May 2008. Holders of record of the 2008 Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or an authorized committee thereof, out of funds legally available, non-cumulative cash dividends at the annual rate per share of 8.25% of their liquidation preferences, or $0.171875 per share per month. These shares of preferred stock are perpetual, nonconvertible, have no preferential rights to purchase any securities of the Corporation and are redeemable solely at the option of the Corporation with the consent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System beginning on May 28, 2013. Cash dividends declared and paid on the 2008 Series B Preferred Stock amounted to $ 2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Common stocks

Dividends

During the year 2020, cash dividends of $1.60 (2019 - $1.20 ; 2018 - $1.00) per common share outstanding were declared amounting to $136.6 million (2019 - $116.0 million; 2018 - $101.3 million) of which $33.7 million were payable to shareholders of common stock at December 31, 2020 (2019 - $ 29.0 million; 2018 - $25.1 million). The quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share declared to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 11, 2020, was paid on January 4, 2021. On February 26, 2021, the Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share on its outstanding common stock, payable on April 1, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 18, 2021.

Accelerated share repurchase transaction (“ASR”)

On January 30, 2020, the Corporation entered into a $500 million ASR transaction with respect to its common stock, which was accounted for as a treasury stock transaction. As a result of the receipt of the initial 7,055,919 shares, the Corporation recognized in stockholders’ equity approximately $400 million in treasury stock and $ 100 million as a reduction in capital surplus. On March 19, 2020 (the “early termination date”), the dealer counterparty to the ASR exercised its right to terminate the ASR as a result of the trading price of the Corporation’s common stock falling below a specified level due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global markets. As a result of such early termination, the final settlement of the ASR, which was expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2020, occurred during the second quarter of 2020. The Corporation completed the transaction on May 27, 2020 and received 4,763,216 additional shares of common stock after the early termination date. In total the Corporation repurchased 11,819,135 shares at an average price per share of $42.3043 under the ASR.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Corporation completed a $250 million ASR. In connection therewith, the Corporation received an initial delivery of 3,500,000 shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2019 and received 1,165,607 additional shares of common stock during the fourth quarter of 2019. The final number of shares delivered at settlement was based on the average daily volume weighted average prince (“VWAP”) of its common stock, net of a discount, during the term of the ASR of $53.58 . In connection with the transaction, the Corporation recognized $266 million in treasury stock, offset by $ 16 million adjustment to capital surplus. During 2018, the Corporation completed a $125 million ASR receiving 2,438,180 shares and recording $125 million in treasury stock.

Statutory reserve

The Banking Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico requires that a minimum of 10% of BPPR’s net income for the year be transferred to a statutory reserve account until such statutory reserve equals the total of paid-in capital on common and preferred stock. Any losses incurred by a bank must first be charged to retained earnings and then to the reserve fund. Amounts credited to the reserve fund may not be used to pay dividends without the prior consent of the Puerto Rico Commissioner of Financial Institutions. The failure to maintain sufficient statutory reserves would preclude BPPR from paying dividends. BPPR’s statutory reserve fund amounted to $ 708 million at December 31, 2020 (2019 - $659 million; 2018 - $599 million). During 2020, $49 million was transferred to the statutory reserve account (2019 - $60 million, 2018 - $58 million). BPPR was in compliance with the statutory reserve requirement in 2020, 2019 and 2018.

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Note 20 – Regulatory capital requirements

The Corporation, BPPR and PB are subject to various regulatory capital requirements imposed by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can lead to certain mandatory and additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. Popular, Inc., BPPR and PB are subject to Basel III capital requirements, including also revised minimum and well capitalized regulatory capital ratios and compliance with the standardized approach for determining risk-weighted assets.

The Basel III Capital Rules established a Common Equity Tier I (“CET1”) capital measure and related regulatory capital ratio CET1 to risk-weighted assets.

The Basel III Capital Rules provide that a depository institution will be deemed to be well capitalized if it maintained a leverage ratio of at least 5 %, a CET1 ratio of at least 6.5 %, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8 % and a total risk-based ratio of at least 10 %. Management has determined that at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Corporation exceeded all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

The Corporation has been designated by the Federal Reserve Board as a Financial Holding Company (“FHC”) and is eligible to engage in certain financial activities permitted under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999.

Pursuant to the adoption of the CECL accounting standard on January 1, 2020, the Corporation elected to use a five-year transition period option as permitted in the final interim regulatory capital rules effective March 31, 2020. The five-year transition period provision delays for two years the estimated impact of the adoption of the CECL accounting standard on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period to phase out the aggregate amount of the capital benefit provided during the initial two-year delay.

On April 9, 2020, federal banking regulators issued an interim final rule to modify the Basel III regulatory capital rules applicable to banking organizations to allow those organizations participating in the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) to neutralize the regulatory capital effects of participating in the program. Specifically, the agencies have clarified that banking organizations, including the Corporation and its Bank subsidiaries, are permitted to assign a zero percent risk weight to PPP loans for purposes of determining risk-weighted assets and risk-based capital ratios. Additionally, in order to facilitate use of the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (the “PPPL Facility”), which provides Federal Reserve Bank loans to eligible financial institutions such as the Corporation’s Bank subsidiaries to fund PPP loans, the agencies further clarified that, for purposes of determining leverage ratios, a banking organization is permitted to exclude from total average assets PPP loans that have been pledged as collateral for a PPPL Facility. As of December 31, 2020, the Corporation has $1.3 billion in PPP loans and $ 1 million pledged as collateral for PPPL Facilities.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, BPPR and PB were well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

The following tables present the Corporation’s risk-based capital and leverage ratios at December 31, 2020 and 2019 under the Basel III regulatory guidance.

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		Actual				Capital adequacy minimum requirement (including conservation capital buffer)
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount	Ratio			Amount	Ratio
		2020
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
Corporation	$	5,773,919	18.81	%	$	3,223,720	10.500	%
BPPR		4,226,887	18.58			2,388,394	10.500
PB		1,283,332	17.34			776,975	10.500

Common Equity Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
Corporation	$	4,992,096	16.26	%	$	2,149,146	7.000	%
BPPR		3,940,385	17.32			1,592,262	7.000
PB		1,190,758	16.09			517,983	7.000

Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
Corporation	$	5,014,239	16.33	%	$	2,609,678	8.500	%
BPPR		3,940,385	17.32			1,933,461	8.500
PB		1,190,758	16.09			628,980	8.500

Tier I Capital (to Average Assets):
Corporation	$	5,014,239	7.80	%	$	2,572,201	4	%
BPPR		3,940,385	7.26			2,169,835	4
PB		1,190,758	12.35			385,685	4

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		Actual				Capital adequacy minimum requirement (including conservation capital buffer)
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount	Ratio			Amount	Ratio
		2019
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
Corporation	$	5,858,615	20.31	%	$	3,028,239	10.500	%
BPPR		4,226,374	19.98			2,220,908	10.500
PB		1,211,045	16.98			748,836	10.500

Common Equity Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
Corporation	$	5,121,240	17.76	%	$	2,018,826	7.000	%
BPPR		3,958,518	18.72			1,480,605	7.000
PB		1,165,710	16.35			499,224	7.000

Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
Corporation	$	5,121,240	17.76	%	$	2,451,431	8.500	%
BPPR		3,958,518	18.72			1,797,878	8.500
PB		1,165,710	16.35			606,200	8.500

Tier I Capital (to Average Assets):
Corporation	$	5,121,240	10.03	%	$	2,042,299	4	%
BPPR		3,958,518	9.62			1,645,851	4
PB		1,165,710	12.33			378,041	4

The following table presents the minimum amounts and ratios for the Corporation’s banks to be categorized as well-capitalized.

		2020				2019
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount	Ratio			Amount	Ratio
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
BPPR	$	2,274,660	10	%	$	2,115,150	10	%
PB		739,976	10			713,177	10

Common Equity Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
BPPR	$	1,478,529	6.5	%	$	1,374,848	6.5	%
PB		480,985	6.5			463,565	6.5

Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
BPPR	$	1,819,728	8	%	$	1,692,120	8	%
PB		591,981	8			570,542	8

Tier I Capital (to Average Assets):
BPPR	$	2,712,294	5	%	$	2,057,314	5	%
PB		482,106	5			472,551	5

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Note 21 – Other comprehensive income (loss)

The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component [1]
		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)			2020		2019		2018
Foreign currency translation	Beginning Balance	$	(56,783)	$	(49,936)	$	(43,034)
	Other comprehensive loss		(14,471)		(6,847)		(6,902)
	Net change		(14,471)		(6,847)		(6,902)
	Ending balance	$	(71,254)	$	(56,783)	$	(49,936)
Adjustment of pension and postretirement benefit plans	Beginning Balance	$	(202,816)	$	(203,836)	$	(205,408)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(5,645)		(13,671)		(9,453)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for amortization of net losses		13,405		14,691		13,141
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for amortization of prior service credit		-		-		(2,116)
	Net change		7,760		1,020		1,572
	Ending balance	$	(195,056)	$	(202,816)	$	(203,836)
Unrealized net holding gains (losses) on debt securities	Beginning Balance	$	92,155	$	(173,811)	$	(102,775)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		368,780		265,950		(71,036)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for (gains) losses on securities		(35)		16		-
	Net change		368,745		265,966		(71,036)
	Ending balance	$	460,900	$	92,155	$	(173,811)
Unrealized net holding gains on equity securities	Beginning Balance	$	-	$	-	$	605
	Reclassification to retained earnings due to cumulative effect adjustment of accounting change		-		-		(605)
	Net change		-		-		(605)
	Ending balance	$	-	$	-	$	-
Unrealized net losses on cash flow hedges	Beginning Balance	$	(2,494)	$	(391)	$	(40)
	Reclassification to retained earnings due to cumulative effect adjustment of accounting change		-		(50)		-
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(6,400)		(4,439)		326
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		4,295		2,386		(677)
	Net change		(2,105)		(2,103)		(351)
	Ending balance	$	(4,599)	$	(2,494)	$	(391)
	Total	$	189,991	$	(169,938)	$	(427,974)
[1] All amounts presented are net of tax.

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The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

		Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
		Affected Line Item in the	Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)		Consolidated Statements of Operations	2020		2019		2018
Adjustment of pension and postretirement benefit plans
	Amortization of net losses	Other operating expenses	$	(21,447)	$	(23,508)	$	(21,542)
	Amortization of prior service credit	Other operating expenses		-		-		3,470
		Total before tax		(21,447)		(23,508)		(18,072)
		Income tax benefit		8,042		8,817		7,047
		Total net of tax	$	(13,405)	$	(14,691)	$	(11,025)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on debt securities
	Realized gain (loss) on sale of debt securities	Net gain (loss) on sale of debt securities	$	41	$	(20)	$	-
		Total before tax		41		(20)		-
		Income tax (expense) benefit		(6)		4		-
		Total net of tax	$	35	$	(16)	$	-
Unrealized net losses on cash flow hedges
	Forward contracts	Mortgage banking activities	$	(5,559)	$	(3,992)	$	1,110
	Interest rate swaps	Other operating income		(820)		110		-
		Total before tax		(6,379)		(3,882)		1,110
		Income tax benefit (expense)		2,084		1,496		(433)
		Total net of tax	$	(4,295)	$	(2,386)	$	677
		Total reclassification adjustments, net of tax	$	(17,665)	$	(17,093)	$	(10,348)

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Note 22 – Guarantees

The Corporation has obligations upon the occurrence of certain events under financial guarantees provided in certain contractual agreements as summarized below.

The Corporation issues financial standby letters of credit and has risk participation in standby letters of credit issued by other financial institutions, in each case to guarantee the performance of various customers to third parties. If the customers failed to meet its financial or performance obligation to the third party under the terms of the contract, then, upon their request, the Corporation would be obligated to make the payment to the guaranteed party. At December 31, 2020, the Corporation recorded a liability of $ 0.2 million (December 31, 2019 - $0.3 million), which represents the unamortized balance of the obligations undertaken in issuing the guarantees under the standby letters of credit. In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 460, the Corporation recognizes at fair value the obligation at inception of the standby letters of credit. The fair value approximates the fee received from the customer for issuing such commitments. These fees are deferred and are recognized over the commitment period. The contracted amounts in standby letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, shown in Note 23, represent the maximum potential amount of future payments that the Corporation 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 customers as a credit enhancement and typically expire without being drawn upon. The Corporation’s standby letters of credit are generally secured, and in the event of nonperformance by the customers, the Corporation has rights to the underlying collateral provided, which normally includes cash, marketable securities, real estate, receivables, and others. Management does not anticipate any material losses related to these instruments.

Also, from time to time, the Corporation securitized mortgage loans into guaranteed mortgage-backed securities subject in certain instances, to lifetime credit recourse on the loans that serve as collateral for the mortgage-backed securities. The Corporation has not sold any mortgage loans subject to credit recourse since 2009. Also, from time to time, the Corporation may sell, in bulk sale transactions, residential mortgage loans and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) commercial loans subject to credit recourse or to certain representations and warranties from the Corporation to the purchaser. These representations and warranties may relate, for example, to borrower creditworthiness, loan documentation, collateral, prepayment and early payment defaults. The Corporation may be required to repurchase the loans under the credit recourse agreements or representation and warranties.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation serviced $0.9 billion (December 31, 2019 - $1.2 billion) in residential mortgage loans subject to credit recourse provisions, principally loans associated with FNMA and FHLMC residential mortgage loan securitization programs. In the event of any customer default, pursuant to the credit recourse provided, the Corporation is required to repurchase the loan or reimburse the third party investor for the incurred loss. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Corporation would be required to make under the recourse arrangements in the event of nonperformance by the borrowers is equivalent to the total outstanding balance of the residential mortgage loans serviced with recourse and interest, if applicable. During 2020, the Corporation repurchased approximately $161 million of unpaid principal balance in mortgage loans subject to the credit recourse provisions (2019 - $57 million). These included $120 million as part of the bulk loan repurchase from FNMA and FHLMC during the third quarter of 2020, for which the Corporation recorded a release of $5.1 million in its reserve for credit recourse. In the event of nonperformance by the borrower, the Corporation has rights to the underlying collateral securing the mortgage loan. The Corporation suffers losses on these loans when the proceeds from a foreclosure sale of the property underlying a defaulted mortgage loan are less than the outstanding principal balance of the loan plus any uncollected interest advanced and the costs of holding and disposing the related property. At December 31, 2020, the Corporation’s liability established to cover the estimated credit loss exposure related to loans sold or serviced with credit recourse amounted to $ 22 million (December 31, 2019 - $35 million). The following table shows the changes in the Corporation’s liability of estimated losses from these credit recourses agreements, included in the consolidated statements of financial condition during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2020		2019
Balance as of beginning of period	$	34,862	$	56,230
Impact of adopting CECL		(3,831)		-
Provision (reversal) for recourse liability		(104)		2,122
Net charge-offs		(8,443)		(23,490)
Balance as of end of period	$	22,484	$	34,862

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The estimated losses to be absorbed under the credit recourse arrangements are recorded as a liability when the loans are sold and are updated by accruing or reversing expense (categorized in the line item “Adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold” in the consolidated statements of operations) throughout the life of the loan, as necessary, when additional relevant information becomes available. The methodology used to estimate the recourse liability is a function of the recourse arrangements given and considers a variety of factors, which include actual defaults and historical loss experience, foreclosure rate, estimated future defaults and the probability that a loan would be delinquent. Statistical methods are used to estimate the recourse liability. Expected loss rates are applied to different loan segmentations. The expected loss, which represents the amount expected to be lost on a given loan, considers the probability of default and loss severity. The probability of default represents the probability that a loan in good standing would become 90 days delinquent within the following twelve-month period. Regression analysis quantifies the relationship between the default event and loan-specific characteristics, including credit scores, loan-to-value ratios, and loan aging, among others.

When the Corporation sells or securitizes mortgage loans, it generally makes customary representations and warranties regarding the characteristics of the loans sold. The Corporation’s mortgage operations in Puerto Rico group conforming mortgage loans into pools which are exchanged for FNMA and GNMA mortgage-backed securities, which are generally sold to private investors, or are sold directly to FNMA for cash. As required under the government agency programs, quality review procedures are performed by the Corporation to ensure that asset guideline qualifications are met. To the extent the loans do not meet specified characteristics, the Corporation may be required to repurchase such loans or indemnify for losses and bear any subsequent loss related to the loans. There were no repurchases under BPPR’s representation and warranty arrangements during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. A substantial amount of these loans reinstate to performing status or have mortgage insurance, and thus the ultimate losses on the loans are not deemed significant.

During the second quarter of 2019, the Corporation recorded the release of a $4.4 million reserve taken in connection with a sale of loans completed during the year 2013.

The following table presents the changes in the Corporation’s liability for estimated losses associated with the indemnifications and representations and warranties related to loans sold during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2020		2019
Balance as of beginning of period	$	3,212	$	10,837
Provision (reversal) for representation and warranties		(915)		(5,020)
Net charge-offs		-		(75)
Settlements paid		-		(2,530)
Balance as of end of period	$	2,297	$	3,212

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Servicing agreements relating to the mortgage-backed securities programs of FNMA and GNMA, and to mortgage loans sold or serviced to certain other investors, including FHLMC, require the Corporation to advance funds to make scheduled payments of principal, interest, taxes and insurance, if such payments have not been received from the borrowers. At December 31, 2020, the Corporation serviced $ 12.9 billion in mortgage loans for third-parties, including the loans serviced with credit recourse (December 31, 2019 - $14.8 billion). The Corporation generally recovers funds advanced pursuant to these arrangements from the mortgage owner, from liquidation proceeds when the mortgage loan is foreclosed or, in the case of FHA/VA loans, under the applicable FHA and VA insurance and guarantees programs. However, in the meantime, the Corporation must absorb the cost of the funds it advances during the time the advance is outstanding. The Corporation must also bear the costs of attempting to collect on delinquent and defaulted mortgage loans. In addition, if a defaulted loan is not cured, the mortgage loan would be canceled as part of the foreclosure proceedings and the Corporation would not receive any future servicing income with respect to that loan. At December 31, 2020, the outstanding balance of funds advanced by the Corporation under such mortgage loan servicing agreements was approximately $66 million (December 31, 2019 - $78 million). To the extent the mortgage loans underlying the Corporation’s servicing portfolio experience increased delinquencies, the Corporation would be required to dedicate additional cash resources to comply with its obligation to advance funds as well as incur additional administrative costs related to increases in collection efforts.

Popular, Inc. Holding Company (“PIHC”) fully and unconditionally guarantees certain borrowing obligations issued by certain of its 100% owned consolidated subsidiaries amounting to $ 94 million at both December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. In addition, at both December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, PIHC fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a subordinated basis $374 million of capital securities (trust preferred securities) issued by wholly-owned issuing trust entities to the extent set forth in the applicable guarantee agreement. Refer to Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on the trust preferred securities.

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Note 23 – Commitments and contingencies

Off-balance sheet risk

The Corporation is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of its customers. These financial instruments include loan commitments, letters of credit and standby 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 Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees is represented by the contractual notional amounts of those instruments. The Corporation uses the same credit policies in making these commitments and conditional obligations as it does for those reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk, whose contract amounts represent potential credit risk as of the end of the periods presented were as follows:

(In thousands)		December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Commitments to extend credit:
	Credit card lines	$	5,226,660	$	4,889,694
	Commercial and construction lines of credit		3,805,459		3,205,306
	Other consumer unused credit commitments		257,312		262,516
Commercial letters of credit			1,864		2,629
Standby letters of credit			22,266		75,186
Commitments to originate or fund mortgage loans			96,786		96,653

At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Corporation maintained a reserve of approximately $16 million and $9 million, respectively, for potential losses associated with unfunded loan commitments related to commercial and consumer lines of credit.

Other commitments

At December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Corporation’s also maintained other non-credit commitments for approximately $1.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, primarily for the acquisition of other investments.

Business concentration

Since the Corporation’s business activities are concentrated primarily in Puerto Rico, its results of operations and financial condition are dependent upon the general trends of the Puerto Rico economy and, in particular, the residential and commercial real estate markets. The concentration of the Corporation’s operations in Puerto Rico exposes it to greater risk than other banking companies with a wider geographic base. Its asset and revenue composition by geographical area is presented in Note 36 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Puerto Rico remains in the midst of a profound fiscal and economic crisis. In response to such crisis, the U.S. Congress enacted the Puerto Rico Oversight Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”) in 2016, which, among other things, established a Fiscal Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (the “Oversight Board”) and a framework for the restructuring of the debts of the Commonwealth, its instrumentalities and municipalities. The Commonwealth and several of its instrumentalities have commenced debt restructuring proceedings under PROMESA. As of the date of this report, while municipalities have been recently designated as covered entities under PROMESA, no municipality has commenced, or has been authorized by the Oversight Board to commence, any such debt restructuring proceeding under PROMESA.

At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Corporation’s direct exposure to the Puerto Rico government and its instrumentalities and municipalities totaled $377 million and $ 432 million, respectively, which amounts were fully outstanding on such dates. Of this amount, $342 million consists of loans and $35 million are securities ($391 million and $ 41 million at December 31, 2019). Substantially all of the amount outstanding at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were obligations from various Puerto Rico municipalities. In most cases, these were “general obligations” of a municipality, to which the applicable municipality has pledged its good faith, credit and unlimited taxing power, or “special obligations” of a municipality, to which the applicable municipality has pledged other revenues. At December 31, 2020, 74% of the Corporation’s exposure to municipal loans and securities was concentrated in the municipalities of San Juan, Guaynabo, Carolina and Bayamón. On July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2019

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the Corporation received principal payments amounting to $ 58 million and $22 million, respectively, from various obligations from Puerto Rico municipalities.

The following table details the loans and investments representing the Corporation’s direct exposure to the Puerto Rico government according to their maturities as of December 31, 2020:

(In thousands)		Investment Portfolio		Loans		Total Outstanding		Total Exposure
Central Government
After 1 to 5 years	$	11	$	-	$	11	$	11
After 5 to 10 years		14		-		14		14
After 10 years		35		-		35		35
Total Central Government		60		-		60		60
Municipalities
Within 1 year		3,990		17,147		21,137		21,137
After 1 to 5 years		16,030		133,445		149,475		149,475
After 5 to 10 years		14,845		120,935		135,780		135,780
After 10 years		450		70,478		70,928		70,928
Total Municipalities		35,315		342,005		377,320		377,320
Total Direct Government Exposure	$	35,375	$	342,005	$	377,380	$	377,380

In addition, at December 31, 2020, the Corporation had $317 million in loans insured or securities issued by Puerto Rico governmental entities but for which the principal source of repayment is non-governmental ($350 million at December 31, 2019). These included $260 million in residential mortgage loans insured by the Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority (“HFA”), a governmental instrumentality that has been designated as a covered entity under PROMESA (December 31, 2019 - $276 million). These mortgage loans are secured by first mortgages on Puerto Rico residential properties and the HFA insurance covers losses in the event of a borrower default and upon the satisfaction of certain other conditions. The Corporation also had at December 31, 2020, $ 46 million in bonds issued by HFA which are secured by second mortgage loans on Puerto Rico residential properties, and for which HFA also provides insurance to cover losses in the event of a borrower default and upon the satisfaction of certain other conditions (December 31, 2019 - $46 million). In the event that the mortgage loans insured by HFA and held by the Corporation directly or those serving as collateral for the HFA bonds default and the collateral is insufficient to satisfy the outstanding balance of these loans, HFA’s ability to honor its insurance will depend, among other factors, on the financial condition of HFA at the time such obligations become due and payable. The Corporation does not consider the government guarantee when estimating the credit losses associated with this portfolio. Although the Governor is currently authorized by local legislation to impose a temporary moratorium on the financial obligations of the HFA, the Governor has not exercised this power as of the date hereof. In addition, at December 31, 2020, the Corporation had $11 million of commercial real estate notes issued by government entities but that are payable from rent paid by non-governmental parties (December 31, 2019 - $21 million). On January 1, 2020, the Corporation received a payment amounting to $7 million upon the maturity of securities issued by HFA which had been economically defeased and refunded and for which securities consisting of U.S. agencies and Treasury obligations had been escrowed (December 31, 2019 - $ 7 million).

BPPR’s commercial loan portfolio also includes loans to private borrowers who are service providers, lessors, suppliers or have other relationships with the government. These borrowers could be negatively affected by the fiscal measures to be implemented to address the Commonwealth’s fiscal crisis and the ongoing Title III proceedings under PROMESA described above. Similarly, BPPR’s mortgage and consumer loan portfolios include loans to government employees which could also be negatively affected by fiscal measures such as employee layoffs or furloughs.

In addition, $1.8 billion of residential mortgages, $1.3 billion of SBA loans under the PPP program and $60 million commercial loans were insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies at December 31, 2020 (compared to $1.1 billion, $0 and $66 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019).

The Corporation has operations in the United States Virgin Islands (the “USVI”) and has approximately $105 million in direct exposure to USVI government entities. The USVI has been experiencing a number of fiscal and economic challenges that could adversely affect the ability of its public corporations and instrumentalities to service their outstanding debt obligations.

164

The Corporation has operations in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), which has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as a reduction in the tourism activity which accounts for a significant portion of its economy. Although the Corporation has no significant exposure to a single borrower in the BVI, it has a loan portfolio amounting to approximately $ 251 million comprised of various retail and commercial clients, including a loan of approximately $19 million with the government of the BVI.

Legal Proceedings

The nature of Popular’s business ordinarily generates claims, litigation, investigations, and legal and administrative cases and proceedings (collectively, “Legal Proceedings”). When the Corporation determines that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted, it vigorously defends itself. The Corporation will consider the settlement of cases (including cases where it has meritorious defenses) when, in management’s judgment, it is in the best interest of the Corporation and its shareholders to do so. On at least a quarterly basis, Popular assesses its liabilities and contingencies relating to outstanding Legal Proceedings utilizing the most current information available. For matters where it is probable that the Corporation will incur a material loss and the amount can be reasonably estimated, the Corporation establishes an accrual for the loss. Once established, the accrual is adjusted on at least a quarterly basis to reflect any relevant developments, as appropriate. For matters where a material loss is not probable, or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, no accrual is established.

In certain cases, exposure to loss exists in excess of the accrual to the extent such loss is reasonably possible, but not probable. Management believes and estimates that the range of reasonably possible losses (with respect to those matters where such limits may be determined, in excess of amounts accrued) for current Legal Proceedings ranged from $0 to approximately $33.9 million as of December 31, 2020. In certain cases, management cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss at this time. Any estimate involves significant judgment, given the varying stages of the Legal Proceedings (including the fact that many of them are currently in preliminary stages), the existence of multiple defendants in several of the current Legal Proceedings whose share of liability has yet to be determined, the numerous unresolved issues in many of the Legal Proceedings, and the inherent uncertainty of the various potential outcomes of such Legal Proceedings. Accordingly, management’s estimate will change from time-to-time, and actual losses may be more or less than the current estimate.

While the outcome of Legal Proceedings is inherently uncertain, based on information currently available, advice of counsel, and available insurance coverage, management believes that the amount it has already accrued is adequate and any incremental liability arising from the Legal Proceedings in matters in which a loss amount can be reasonably estimated will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these matters in a reporting period, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position for that period.

Set forth below is a description of the Corporation’s significant Legal Proceedings.

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Hazard Insurance Commission-Related Litigation

Popular, Inc., BPPR and Popular Insurance, LLC (the “Popular Defendants”) have been named defendants in a class action complaint captioned Pérez Díaz v. Popular, Inc., et al, filed before the Court of First Instance, Arecibo Part. The complaint seeks damages and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief on behalf of the class against the Popular Defendants, as well as Antilles Insurance Company and MAPFRE-PRAICO Insurance Company (the “Defendant Insurance Companies”). Plaintiffs allege that the Popular Defendants have been unjustly enriched by failing to reimburse them for commissions paid by the Defendant Insurance Companies to the insurance agent and/or mortgagee for policy years when no claims were filed against their hazard insurance policies. They demand the reimbursement to the purported “class” of an estimated $400 million plus legal interest, for the “good experience” commissions allegedly paid by the Defendant Insurance Companies during the relevant time period, as well as injunctive relief seeking to enjoin the Defendant Insurance Companies from paying commissions to the insurance agent/mortgagee and ordering them to pay those fees directly to the insured. A motion for dismissal on the merits filed by the Defendant Insurance

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Companies was denied with a right to replead following limited targeted discovery. Each of the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals and the Puerto Rico Supreme Court denied the Popular Defendants’ request to review the lower court’s denial of the motion to dismiss. In December 2017, plaintiffs amended the complaint, and, in January 2018, defendants filed an answer thereto. Separately, in October 2017, the Court entered an order whereby it broadly certified the class, after which the Popular Defendants filed a certiorari petition before the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals in relation to the class certification, which the Court declined to entertain. In November 2018 and in January 2019, plaintiffs filed voluntary dismissal petitions against MAPFRE-PRAICO Insurance Company and Antilles Insurance Company, respectively, leaving the Popular Defendants as the sole remaining defendants in the action.

In April 2019, the Court amended the class definition to limit it to individual homeowners whose residential units were subject to a mortgage from BPPR who, in turn, obtained risk insurance policies with Antilles Insurance or MAPFRE Insurance through Popular Insurance from 2002 to 2015, and who did not make insurance claims against said policies during their effective term. The Court approved on September 24, 2020 the notice to the class, which is yet to be published, by Plaintiffs, and set the deadline for the filing of dispositive motions for May 2021, the Pre-Trial hearing for August 2021 and several dates for trial between the end of August and the beginning of October 2021. Expert discovery remains ongoing.

Mortgage-Related Litigation and Claims

BPPR has been named a defendant in a putative class action captioned Lilliam González Camacho, et al. v. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, et al., filed before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico on behalf of mortgage-holders who have allegedly been subjected to illegal foreclosures and/or loan modifications through their mortgage servicers. Plaintiffs maintain that when they sought to reduce their loan payments, defendants failed to provide them with such reduced loan payments, instead subjecting them to lengthy loss mitigation processes while filing foreclosure claims against them in parallel (or dual tracking). Plaintiffs assert that such actions violate the Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”), the Home Affordable Refinance Program (“HARP”) and other federally sponsored loan modification programs, as well as the Puerto Rico Mortgage Debtor Assistance Act and the Truth in Lending Act (“TILA”). For the alleged violations stated above, plaintiffs request that all defendants (over 20, including all local banks) be held jointly and severally liable in an amount no less than $400 million. BPPR filed a motion to dismiss in August 2017, as did most co-defendants, and, in March 2018, the District Court dismissed the complaint in its entirety. After being denied reconsideration by the District Court, in August 2018, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. On July 21, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the District Court’s decision dismissing the complaint. On September 4, 2020, the Appellants filed a petition for rehearing and for rehearing en banc, which was denied on December 9, 2020. Proceedings before the First Circuit Court of Appeals have concluded, although Plaintiffs have until March 9, 2021 to seek certiorari review before the U.S. Supreme Court.

BPPR has also been named a defendant in another putative class action captioned Yiries Josef Saad Maura v. Banco Popular, et al., filed by the same counsel who filed the González Camacho action referenced above, on behalf of residential customers of the defendant banks who have allegedly been subject to illegal foreclosures and/or loan modifications through their mortgage servicers. As in González Camacho, plaintiffs contend that when they sought to reduce their loan payments, defendants failed to provide them with such reduced loan payments, instead subjecting them to lengthy loss mitigation processes while filing foreclosure claims against them in parallel, all in violation of TILA, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) and other consumer-protection laws and regulations. Plaintiffs did not include a specific amount of damages in their complaint. After waiving service of process, BPPR filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on the same grounds as those asserted in the González Camacho action (as did most co-defendants, separately). BPPR further filed a motion to oppose class certification, which the Court granted in September 2018. In April 2019, the Court entered an Opinion and Order granting BPPR’s and several other defendants’ motions to dismiss with prejudice. Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Reconsideration in April 2019, which Popular timely opposed. In September 2019, the Court issued an Amended Opinion and Order dismissing plaintiffs’ claims against all defendants, denying the reconsideration requests and other pending motions, and issuing final judgment. In October 2019, plaintiffs filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the Court’s Amended Opinion and Order, which was denied in December 2019. On January 13, 2020, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Plaintiffs filed their appeal brief on July 8, 2020, Appellees filed their brief on September 21, 2020, and Appellants filed their reply brief on January 21, 2021. The appeal is now fully briefed and pending resolution.

Insufficient Funds and Overdraft Fees Class Actions

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In February 2020, BPPR was served with a putative class action complaint captioned Soto-Melendez v. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, filed before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. The complaint alleges breach of contract due to BPPR’s purported practice of (a) assessing more than one insufficient funds fee (“NSF Fees”) on the same “item” or transaction and (b) charging both NSF Fees and overdraft fees (“OD Fees”) on the same item or transaction, and is filed on behalf of all persons who during the applicable statute of limitations period were charged NSF Fees and/or OD Fees pursuant to these purported practices. In April 2020, BPPR filed a Motion to Dismiss in the case, which is now fully briefed and pending resolution.

Popular has been also named as a defendant on a putative class action complaint captioned Golden v. Popular, Inc. filed in March 2020 before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking damages, restitution and injunctive relief. Plaintiff alleges breach of contract, violation of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment and violation of New York consumer protection law due to Popular’s purported practice of charging OD Fees on transactions that, under plaintiffs’ theory, do not overdraw the account. Plaintiff describes Popular’s purported practice of charging OD Fees as “Authorize Positive, Purportedly Settle Negative Transactions” (“APPSN”) and states that Popular assesses OD Fees over authorized transactions for which sufficient funds are held for settlement. In August 2020, Popular filed a Motion to Dismiss on several grounds, including failure to state a claim against Popular, Inc. and improper venue. On October 2, 2020, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and, on that same date, filed an identical complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands against Popular, Inc., Popular Bank and BPPR. On October 27, 2020, a Motion to Dismiss was filed on behalf of Popular, Inc. and Popular Bank, arguing failure to state a claim and lack of minimum contacts of such parties with the U.S.V.I. district court jurisdiction. On November 23, 2020, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal against Popular, Inc. and Popular Bank following the Motion to Dismiss. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, the only defendant remaining in the case, was served with process on November 13, 2020 and filed a Motion to Dismiss on January 4, 2021. Plaintiff opposed to such Motion to Dismiss on February 8, 2021 and BPPR expects to reply on or before March 8, 2021.

Other Proceedings

In June 2017, a syndicate comprised of BPPR and other local banks (the “Lenders”) filed an involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding against Betteroads Asphalt and Betterecycling Corporation (the “Involuntary Debtors”). This filing followed attempts by the Lenders to restructure and resolve the Involuntary Debtors’ obligations and outstanding defaults under a certain credit agreement, first through good faith negotiations and subsequently, through the filing of a collection action against the Involuntary Debtors in local court. The Involuntary Debtors subsequently counterclaimed, asserting damages in excess of $900 million. The Lenders ultimately joined in the commencement of these involuntary bankruptcy proceedings against the Debtors in order to preserve and recover the Involuntary Debtors’ assets, having confirmed that the Involuntary Debtors were transferring assets out of their estate for little or no consideration.

The Involuntary Debtors filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings and for damages against the syndicate, arguing both that this petition was filed in bad faith and that there was a bona fide dispute as to the petitioners’ claims, as set forth in the counterclaim filed by the Involuntary Debtors in local court. After the Court held hearings in June and July 2019 to consider whether the involuntary petitions were filed in bad faith, that is, for an improper purpose that constitutes an abuse of the bankruptcy process in October 2019, the Court entered an Opinion and Order determining that the involuntary petitions were not filed in bad faith and issued an order for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code granting the involuntary petitions. In October 2019, the debtors filed a Notice of Appeal to the U.S. District Court. On November 30, 2020, the U.S. District Court issued an opinion affirming the order for relief issued by the Bankruptcy Court under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code granting the involuntary petitions. On January 2, 2021, Debtors filed a Notice of Appeal from this decision before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The Court of Appeals has not yet set a briefing schedule.

In February 2020, the Debtors initiated an adversary proceeding seeking in excess of $80 million in damages, alleging that in 2016 the Lenders illegally foreclosed on their accounts receivable and as a result illegally interfered with contracts entered with third parties, forcing the Debtors into bankruptcy. Debtors further seek a judgment declaring that Lenders do not possess security interests over certain personal property of the Debtors because either such security interests were not adequately perfected according to Puerto Rico law, or the security interests were lost upon the lapsing date of the financing statements that the Lenders had originally perfected in connection with such interests. Debtors amended their adversary complaint to include references to the Lenders’ Syndicate and Banco Popular’s proof of claims and formally object to such proof of claims, as well as to demand that the District Court, not the Bankruptcy Court, entertains the complaint, requesting trial by jury on all counts. Lenders filed a Motion to

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dismiss in June 2020. On September 18, 2020, the Court granted the parties an extension of all pending deadlines for 30 days in furtherance of settlement negotiations, and, thereafter, the Court has granted, at the request of the parties, multiple additional 30-day extensions for the parties to continue settlement conversations. Parties now have until March 19, 2021 to inform the Court the result of such negotiations.

POPULAR BANK

Employment-Related Litigation

In July 2019, Popular Bank (“PB”) was served in a putative class complaint in which it was named as a defendant along with five ( 5) current PB employees (collectively, the “AB Defendants”), captioned Aileen Betances, et al. v. Popular Bank, et al., filed before the Supreme Court of the State of New York (the “AB Action”). The complaint, filed by five (5) current and former PB employees, seeks to recover damages for the AB Defendants' alleged violation of local and state sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation laws. Additionally, in July 2019, PB was served in a putative class complaint in which it was named as a defendant along with six (6) current PB employees (collectively, the “DR Defendants”), captioned Damian Reyes, et al. v. Popular Bank, et al., filed before the Supreme Court of the State of New York (the “DR Action”). The DR Action, filed by three (3) current and former PB employees, seeks to recover damages for the DR Defendants’ alleged violation of local and state discrimination and retaliation laws. Plaintiffs in both complaints are represented by the same legal counsel, and five of the six named individual defendants in the DR Action are the same named individual defendants in the AB Action. Both complaints are related, among other things, to allegations of purported sexual harassment and/or misconduct by a former PB employee as well as PB’s actions in connection thereto and seek no less than $100 million in damages each. In October 2019, PB and the other defendants filed several Motions to Dismiss. Plaintiffs opposed the motions in December 2019 and PB and the other defendants replied in January 2020. In July 2020, a hearing to discuss the motions to dismiss filed by PB in both actions was held, at which the Court dismissed one of the causes of action included by plaintiffs in the AB Action and ordered the parties to submit a copy of the court reporter’s transcript. The parties submitted a copy of the court reporter’s transcript in August 2020 and the motions to dismiss are pending resolution.

POPULAR SECURITIES

Puerto Rico Bonds and Closed-End Investment Funds

The volatility in prices and declines in value that Puerto Rico municipal bonds and closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in Puerto Rico municipal bonds have experienced since August 2013 have led to regulatory inquiries, customer complaints and arbitrations for most broker-dealers in Puerto Rico, including Popular Securities. Popular Securities has received customer complaints and, as of December 31, 2020, is named as a respondent (among other broker-dealers) in 137 pending arbitration proceedings with aggregate claimed amounts of approximately $141 million, including one arbitration with claimed damages of approximately $30 million. While Popular Securities believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted in these proceedings, it has often determined that it is in its best interest to settle certain claims rather than expend the money and resources required to see such cases to completion. The Puerto Rico Government’s defaults and non-payment of its various debt obligations, as well as the Commonwealth’s and the Financial Oversight Management Board’s (the “Oversight Board”) decision to pursue restructurings under Title III and Title VI of PROMESA, have impacted the number of customer complaints (and claimed damages) filed against Popular Securities concerning Puerto Rico bonds and closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in Puerto Rico bonds. An adverse result in the arbitration proceedings described above, or a significant increase in customer complaints, could have a material adverse effect on Popular.

PROMESA Title III Proceedings

In 2017, the Oversight Board engaged the law firm of Kobre & Kim to carry out an independent investigation on behalf of the Oversight Board regarding, among other things, the causes of the Puerto Rico financial crisis. Popular, Inc., BPPR and Popular Securities (collectively, the “Popular Companies”) were served by, and cooperated with, the Oversight Board in connection with requests for the preservation and voluntary production of certain documents and witnesses with respect to Kobre & Kim’s independent investigation.

On August 20, 2018, Kobre & Kim issued its Final Report, which contained various references to the Popular Companies, including an allegation that Popular Securities participated as an underwriter in the Commonwealth’s 2014 issuance of government obligation

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bonds notwithstanding having allegedly advised against it. The report noted that such allegation could give rise to an unjust enrichment claim against the Corporation and could also serve as a basis to equitably subordinate claims filed by the Corporation in the Title III proceeding to other third-party claims.

After the publication of the Final Report, the Oversight Board created a special claims committee (“SCC”) and, before the end of the applicable two-year statute of limitations for the filing of such claims pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the SCC, along with the Commonwealth’s Unsecured Creditors’ Committee (“UCC”), filed various avoidance, fraudulent transfer and other claims against third parties, including government vendors and financial institutions and other professionals involved in bond issuances being challenged as invalid by the SCC and the UCC. The Popular Companies, the SCC and the UCC have entered into a tolling agreement with respect to potential claims the SCC and the UCC, on behalf of the Commonwealth or other Title III debtors, may assert against the Popular Companies for the avoidance and recovery of payments and/or transfers made to the Popular Companies or as a result of any role of the Popular Companies in the offering of the aforementioned challenged bond issuances.

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Note 24 – Non-consolidated variable interest entities

The Corporation is involved with three statutory trusts which it established to issue trust preferred securities to the public. These trusts are deemed to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”) since the equity investors at risk have no substantial decision-making rights. The Corporation does not hold any variable interest in the trusts, and therefore, cannot be the trusts’ primary beneficiary. Furthermore, the Corporation concluded that it did not hold a controlling financial interest in these trusts since the decisions of the trusts are predetermined through the trust documents and the guarantee of the trust preferred securities is irrelevant since in substance the sponsor is guaranteeing its own debt.

Also, the Corporation is involved with various special purpose entities mainly in guaranteed mortgage securitization transactions, including GNMA and FNMA. These special purpose entities are deemed to be VIEs since they lack equity investments at risk. The Corporation’s continuing involvement in these guaranteed loan securitizations includes owning certain beneficial interests in the form of securities as well as the servicing rights retained. The Corporation is not required to provide additional financial support to any of the variable interest entities to which it has transferred the financial assets. The mortgage-backed securities, to the extent retained, are classified in the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as available-for-sale or trading securities. The Corporation concluded that, essentially, these entities (FNMA and GNMA) control the design of their respective VIEs, dictate the quality and nature of the collateral, require the underlying insurance, set the servicing standards via the servicing guides and can change them at will, and can remove a primary servicer with cause, and without cause in the case of FNMA. Moreover, through their guarantee obligations, agencies (FNMA and GNMA) have the obligation to absorb losses that could be potentially significant to the VIE.

The Corporation holds variable interests in these VIEs in the form of agency mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, including those securities originated by the Corporation and those acquired from third parties. Additionally, the Corporation holds agency mortgage-backed securities and agency collateralized mortgage obligations issued by third party VIEs in which it has no other form of continuing involvement. Refer to Note 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, which are classified as available-for-sale and trading securities in the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. In addition, the Corporation holds variable interests in the form of servicing fees, since it retains the right to service the transferred loans in those government-sponsored special purpose entities (“SPEs”) and may also purchase the right to service loans in other government-sponsored SPEs that were transferred to those SPEs by a third-party.

The following table presents the carrying amount and classification of the assets related to the Corporation’s variable interests in non-consolidated VIEs and the maximum exposure to loss as a result of the Corporation’s involvement as servicer of GNMA and FNMA loans at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

(In thousands)		December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets
Servicing assets:
	Mortgage servicing rights	$	90,273	$	115,718
Total servicing assets		$	90,273	$	115,718
Other assets:
	Servicing advances	$	8,769	$	29,212
Total other assets		$	8,769	$	29,212
Total assets		$	99,042	$	144,930
Maximum exposure to loss		$	99,042	$	144,930

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The size of the non-consolidated VIEs, in which the Corporation has a variable interest in the form of servicing fees, measured as the total unpaid principal balance of the loans, amounted to $8.7 billion at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $9.9 billion).

The Corporation determined that the maximum exposure to loss includes the fair value of the MSRs and the assumption that the servicing advances at December 31, 2020 and 2019 will not be recovered. The agency debt securities are not included as part of the maximum exposure to loss since they are guaranteed by the related agencies.

ASU 2009-17 requires that an ongoing primary beneficiary assessment should be made to determine whether the Corporation is the primary beneficiary of any of the VIEs it is involved with. The conclusion on the assessment of these non-consolidated VIEs has not changed since their initial evaluation. The Corporation concluded that it is still not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, and therefore, these VIEs are not required to be consolidated in the Corporation’s financial statements at December 31, 2020.

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Note 25 – Derivative instruments and hedging activities

The use of derivatives is incorporated as part of the Corporation’s overall interest rate risk management strategy to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings and cash flows that are caused by interest rate volatility. The Corporation’s goal is to manage interest rate sensitivity by modifying the repricing or maturity characteristics of certain balance sheet assets and liabilities so that the net interest income is not materially affected by movements in interest rates. The Corporation uses derivatives in its trading activities to facilitate customer transactions, and as a means of risk management. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, hedged fixed and variable interest rate assets and liabilities will appreciate or depreciate in fair value. The effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation is expected to be substantially offset by the Corporation’s gains or losses on the derivative instruments that are linked to these hedged assets and liabilities. As a matter of policy, the Corporation does not use highly leveraged derivative instruments for interest rate risk management.

Market risk is the adverse effect that a change in interest rates, currency exchange rates, or implied volatility rates might have on the value of a financial instrument. The Corporation manages the market risk associated with interest rates and, to a limited extent, with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates by establishing and monitoring limits for the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken.

By using derivative instruments, the Corporation exposes itself to credit and market risk. If a counterparty fails to fulfill its performance obligations under a derivative contract, the Corporation’s credit risk will equal the fair value of the derivative asset. Generally, when the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this indicates that the counterparty owes the Corporation, thus creating a repayment risk for the Corporation. To manage the level of credit risk, the Corporation deals with counterparties of good credit standing, enters into master netting agreements whenever possible and, when appropriate, obtains collateral. On the other hand, when the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, the Corporation owes the counterparty and, therefore, the fair value of derivatives liabilities incorporates nonperformance risk or the risk that the obligation will not be fulfilled.

The credit risk attributed to the counterparty’s nonperformance risk is incorporated in the fair value of the derivatives. Additionally, as required by the fair value measurements guidance, the fair value of the Corporation’s own credit standing is considered in the fair value of the derivative liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2020, inclusion of the credit risk in the fair value of the derivatives resulted in a gain of $0.7 million from the Corporation’s credit standing adjustment. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Corporation recognized a gain of $0.2 million and a loss of $0.6 million, respectively, from the Corporation’s credit standing adjustment.

The Corporation’s derivatives are subject to agreements which allow a right of set-off with each respective counterparty. In an event of default each party has a right of set-off against the other party for amounts owed in the related agreement and any other amount or obligation owed in respect of any other agreement or transaction between them. Pursuant to the Corporation’s accounting policy, the fair value of derivatives is not offset with the fair value of other derivatives held with the same counterparty even if these agreements allow a right of set-off. In addition, the fair value of derivatives is not offset with the amounts for the right to reclaim financial collateral or the obligation to return financial collateral.

Financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges or non-hedging derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

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		Notional amount			Derivative assets					Derivative liabilities

					Statement of		Fair value at			Statement of		Fair value at
		At December 31,			condition		December 31,			condition		December 31,
(In thousands)		2020		2019	classification		2020		2019	classification		2020		2019
Derivatives designated as
hedging instruments:
Forward contracts	$	188,800	$	97,600	Other assets	$	-	$	32	Other liabilities	$	1,267	$	264
Total derivatives designated
as hedging instruments	$	188,800	$	97,600		$	-	$	32		$	1,267	$	264
Derivatives not designated
as hedging instruments:
Interest rate caps		29,248		169,962	Other assets		-		1	Other liabilities		-		1
Indexed options on deposits		69,054		69,354	Other assets		20,785		17,933	-		-		-
Bifurcated embedded options		63,121		66,755	-		-		-	Interest bearing deposits		17,658		16,354
Total derivatives not
designated as
hedging instruments	$	161,423	$	306,071		$	20,785	$	17,934		$	17,658	$	16,355
Total derivative assets
and liabilities	$	350,223	$	403,671		$	20,785	$	17,966		$	18,925	$	16,619

Cash Flow Hedges

The Corporation utilizes forward contracts to hedge the sale of mortgage-backed securities with duration terms over one month. Interest rate forwards are contracts for the delayed delivery of securities, which the seller agrees to deliver on a specified future date at a specified price or yield. These forward contracts are hedging a forecasted transaction and thus qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) corresponding to these forward contracts is expected to be reclassified to earnings in the next twelve months. These contracts have a maximum remaining maturity of 77 days at December 31, 2020.

For cash flow hedges, net gains (losses) on derivative contracts that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to current period earnings are included in the line item in which the hedged item is recorded and during the period in which the forecasted transaction impacts earnings, as presented in the tables below.

Year ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)	Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)		Classification in the statement of operations of the net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion and ineffective portion)		Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)		Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion)
Forward contracts	$	(6,594)	Mortgage banking activities	$	(5,559)	$	-
Total	$	(6,594)		$	(5,559)	$	-

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Year ended December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)		Classification in the statement of operations of the net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion and ineffective portion)		Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)		Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion)
Forward contracts	$	(3,502)	Mortgage banking activities	$	(3,992)	$	-
Total	$	(3,502)		$	(3,992)	$	-

Year ended December 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)		Classification in the statement of operations of the net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion and ineffective portion)		Amount of net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)		Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion)
Forward contracts	$	536	Mortgage banking activities	$	1,202	$	(92)
Total	$	536		$	1,202	$	(92)

Fair Value Hedges

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

Non-Hedging Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recognized a loss of $3.0 million (2019 – loss of $ 1.2 million; 2018 – gain of $ 1.3 million) related to its non-hedging derivatives, as detailed in the table below.

	Amount of Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
		Year ended		Year ended		Year ended
	Classification of Net Gain (Loss)	December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
(In thousands)	Recognized in Income on Derivatives	2020		2019		2018
Forward contracts	Mortgage banking activities	$	(5,027)	$	(2,254)	$	1,213
Interest rate caps	Other operating income		-		(5)		(4)
Indexed options on deposits	Interest expense		5,462		7,898		114
Bifurcated embedded options	Interest expense		(3,417)		(6,883)		(50)
Total		$	(2,982)	$	(1,244)	$	1,273

Forward Contracts

The Corporation has forward contracts to sell mortgage-backed securities, which are accounted for as trading derivatives. Changes in their fair value are recognized in mortgage banking activities.

Interest Rate Caps

The Corporation enters into interest rate caps as an intermediary on behalf of its customers and simultaneously takes offsetting positions under the same terms and conditions, thus minimizing its market and credit risks.

Indexed and Embedded Options

The Corporation offers certain customers’ deposits whose return are tied to the performance of the Standard and Poor’s (“S&P 500”) stock market indexes, and other deposits whose returns are tied to other stock market indexes or other equity securities performance. The Corporation bifurcated the related options embedded within these customers’ deposits from the host contract in accordance with ASC Subtopic 815-15. In order to limit the Corporation’s exposure to changes in these indexes, the Corporation

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purchases indexed options which returns are tied to the same indexes from major broker dealer companies in the over the counter market. Accordingly, the embedded options and the related indexed options are marked-to-market through earnings.

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Note 26 – Related party transactions

The Corporation grants loans to its directors, executive officers, including certain related individuals or organizations, and affiliates in the ordinary course of business. The activity and balance of these loans were as follows:


(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	133,319
New loans		1,491
Payments		(1,800)
Other changes, including existing loans to new related parties		44
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	133,054
New loans		8,360
Payments		(16,839)
Other changes, including existing loans to new related parties		316
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	124,891
New loans and payments include disbursements and collections from existing lines of credit.

The Corporation has had loan transactions with the Corporation’s directors, executive officers, including certain related individuals or organizations, and affiliates, and proposes to continue such transactions in the ordinary course of its business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable loan transactions with third parties. Except as discussed below, the extensions of credit have not involved and do not currently involve more than normal risks of collection or present other unfavorable features. In addition, during 2020, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, BPPR implemented loan payment moratorium programs with respect to consumer and commercial loans which were made available to all qualifying customers to provide financial relief during the pandemic. Certain Related Parties participated in this moratorium programs under the same terms and conditions offered to other unrelated third parties.

In June 2006, family members of a director of the Corporation, obtained a $ 0.8 million mortgage loan from Popular Mortgage, Inc., now a division of BPPR, secured by a residential property. The director was not a director of the Corporation at the time the loan was made. In March, 2012 the loan was restructured under BPPR’s loss mitigation program. During 2017, the borrower defaulted on his payment obligations under the restructured loan and as of December 31, 2018 the loan was 670 days past due. On October 2019, the Corporation completed a short sale of this loan which resulted in a charge-off of $0.4 million.

In 2010, as part of the Westernbank FDIC assisted transaction, BPPR acquired five commercial loans made to entities that were wholly owned by one brother-in-law of a director of the Corporation. The loans were secured by real estate and personally guaranteed by the director’s brother-in-law. The loans were originated by Westernbank between 2001 and 2005 and had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $33.5 million when they were acquired by BPPR in 2010. Between 2011 and 2014, the loans were restructured to consist of (i) five notes with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $19.8 million with a 6% annual interest rate (“Notes A”) and (ii) five notes with an aggregate outstanding balance of $13.5 million with a 1% annual interest rate, to be paid upon maturity (“Notes B”). The restructured notes had an original maturity of September 30, 2016 and, thereafter, various interim renewals were approved to allow for the re-negotiation of a longer-term extension. The most recent of these interim renewals were approved on February, April and August 2020. These renewals, among other things, decreased the interest rate applicable to the Notes A to 4.25% and maintained the Notes B at an interest rate of 1%. During 2020, the Audit Committee also authorized two separate 90-day principal and interest moratoriums, from March to May and from June to August, as financial relief in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. On September 2020, in accordance with the Related Party Transaction Policy and after being approved by the Audit Committee, the maturity date of the credit facilities was extended until April 2022, fixing the interest rate at 4.25% for Notes A and at 1% for Notes B during such term. The aggregate outstanding balance on the loans as of December 31, 2020 was approximately $ 31.4 million, of which approximately $17.9 million corresponded to Notes A and $ 13.5 million to Notes B.

The brother of an executive officer of the Corporation and his wife have three outstanding loans, each secured by the borrowers’ principal residence, where BPPR acts as either lender or servicer. The aggregate original amount of these loans was of $0.7 million, comprised of one mortgage loan of approximately $0.5 million, which is owned by a third-party investor and in which BPPR is the

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servicer, one mortgage loan of $0.1 million secured by a second mortgage and another mortgage loan of $0.1 million secured by a third mortgage. The borrowers entered into default with their respective obligations under all of these loan agreements. In February 2019, and pursuant to the terms of the Related Party Policy, the Audit Committee approved a series of transactions related to the aforementioned mortgages. With respect to the first mortgage, on February 2020, the parties entered into a deed in lieu of foreclosure pursuant to which the property was transferred to the investor free and clear of liens, resulting in the cancellation of the first mortgage loan. In connection therewith, BPPR released the second and third mortgages over the residential property. As part of the transaction, the borrowers made a cash contribution of $30 thousand to reduce the principal amount of the second mortgage loan and issue, for the benefit of BPPR, a promissory note in the amount of $82 thousand in order to grant BPPR the right to collect from borrowers the balance of the debt. The borrowers are required to make monthly payments of approximately $1 thousand until the maturity date of this unsecured promissory note. During 2020, the borrowers did not make payments on this promissory note. With respect to the third mortgage BPPR is currently negotiating with the borrower to establish a repayment plan in connection with the $92 thousand outstanding balance of such third mortgage.

In April 2010, in connection with the acquisition of the Westernbank assets from the FDIC, as receiver, BPPR acquired a term loan to a corporate borrower partially owned by an investment corporation in which the Corporation’s Chairman, at that time the Chief Executive Officer, as well as certain of his family members, are the owners. In addition, the Chairman’s sister and brother-in-law are owners of an entity that holds an ownership interest in the borrower. At the time the loan was acquired by BPPR, it had an unpaid principal balance of $40.2 million. In May 2017, this loan was sold by BPPR to Popular, Inc., holding company (“PIHC”). At the time of sale, the loan had an unpaid principal balance of $37.9 million. PIHC paid $ 37.9 million to BPPR for the loan, of which $6.0 million was recognized by BPPR as a capital contribution representing the difference between the fair value and the book value of the loan at the time of transfer. Immediately upon being acquired by PIHC, the loan’s maturity was extended by 90 days (under the same terms as originally contracted) to provide the PIHC additional time to evaluate a refinancing or long-term extension of the loan. In August 2017, the credit facility was refinanced with a stated maturity in February 2019. During 2017, the facility was subject to the loan payment moratorium offered as part of the hurricane relief efforts. As such, interest payments amounting to approximately $0.5 million were deferred and capitalized as part of the loan balance. In February 2019, the Audit Committee approved, under the Related Party Policy, a 36-month renewal of the loan at an interest rate of 5.75% and a 30-year amortization schedule. As of December 31, 2020, the unpaid principal balance amounted to $36.6 million.

In April 2010, a private trust and a sister-in-law of a director, as co-borrowers, obtained a $0.2 million mortgage loan from Popular Mortgage, then a subsidiary of BPPR, secured by a residential property. The loan was a fully amortizing 40-year mortgage loan with a fixed annual rate of 2.99% for the first 5 years, and thereafter an annual rate of 5.875%. From March to August 2020, the borrowers participated in the COVID-19 forbearance program offered by BPPR to qualifying mortgage customers in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. After the expiration of such moratorium period, borrowers did not make any payments under the loan during the months of September and October 2020, thereby defaulting on the indebtedness. On November 2020, the borrowers requested and were granted, an additional 3-month loan payment moratorium pursuant to BPPR’s ordinary course loss mitigation program, which expired in January 2021. Since the expiration of this 3-month loan payment forbearance the borrowers have failed to make the monthly loan payments when due. The outstanding balance of the loan as of December 31, 2020 was approximately $0.2 million.

In August 2018, BPPR acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Reliable Financial Services and Reliable Finance Holding Company, Puerto Rico-based subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company engaged in the auto finance business in Puerto Rico. As part of the acquisition transaction, the Corporation entered into an agreement with Reliable Financial Services to sublease the space necessary to continue the acquired operations. Reliable Financial Services’ underlying lease agreement was with an entity in which the Chairman of the Corporation’s Board and his family members hold an ownership interest, described in the preceding paragraph as having a loan with the Corporation. This lease expired on April 30, 2019 pursuant to its terms. During 2019, the Corporation paid to Reliable Financial Services approximately $0.5 million under the sublease.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries held deposits from related parties, excluding EVERTEC, Inc. (“EVERTEC”) amounting to $851 million (2019 - $ 576 million).

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From time to time, the Corporation, in the ordinary course of business, obtains services from related parties that have some association with the Corporation. Management believes the terms of such arrangements are consistent with arrangements entered into with independent third parties.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation made contributions of approximately $1.6 million to Fundación Banco Popular and Popular Bank Foundation, which are not-for-profit corporations dedicated to philanthropic work (2019 - $1.1 million). The Corporation also provided human and operational resources to support the activities of the Fundación Banco Popular which in 2020 amounted to approximately $ 1.4 million (2019- $1.4 million).

Related party transactions with EVERTEC, as an affiliate

The Corporation has an investment in EVERTEC, Inc. (“EVERTEC”), which provides various processing and information technology services to the Corporation and its subsidiaries and gives BPPR access to the ATH network owned and operated by EVERTEC. As of December 31, 2020, the Corporation’s stake in EVERTEC was 16.16 %.The Corporation continues to have significant influence over EVERTEC. Accordingly, the investment in EVERTEC is accounted for under the equity method and is evaluated for impairment if events or circumstances indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred that is other than temporary.

The Corporation received $2.3 million in dividend distributions during the year ended December 31, 2020 from its investments in EVERTEC’s holding company (December 31, 2019 - $2.3 million). The Corporation’s equity in EVERTEC is presented in the table which follows and is included as part of “other assets” in the consolidated statement of financial condition.

(In thousands)		December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Equity investment in EVERTEC	$	86,158	$	73,534

The Corporation had the following financial condition balances outstanding with EVERTEC at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Items that represent liabilities to the Corporation are presented with parenthesis.

(In thousands)	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable (Other assets)	$	5,678	$	7,779
Deposits		(125,361)		(63,850)
Accounts payable (Other liabilities)		(2,395)		(1,290)
Net total	$	(122,078)	$	(57,361)

The Corporation’s proportionate share of income from EVERTEC is included in other operating income in the consolidated statements of operations. The following table presents the Corporation’s proportionate share of EVERTEC’s income and changes in stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2020		2019		2018
Share of income from investment in EVERTEC	$	16,936	$	16,749	$	13,892
Share of other changes in EVERTEC's stockholders' equity		865		516		1,659
Share of EVERTEC's changes in equity recognized in income	$	17,801	$	17,265	$	15,551

The following tables present the impact of transactions and service payments between the Corporation and EVERTEC (as an affiliate) and their impact on the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Items that represent expenses to the Corporation are presented with parenthesis.

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	Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2020		2019		2018		Category
Interest expense on deposits	$	(315)	$	(106)	$	(79)	Interest expense
ATH and credit cards interchange income from services to EVERTEC		22,406		29,224		33,658	Other service fees
Rental income charged to EVERTEC		7,305		7,418		7,271	Net occupancy
Fees on services provided by EVERTEC		(223,069)		(219,992)		(174,048)	Professional fees
Other services provided to EVERTEC		1,002		1,118		1,059	Other operating expenses
Total	$	(192,671)	$	(182,338)	$	(132,139)

Centro Financiero BHD León

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation had a 15.84% equity interest in Centro Financiero BHD León, S.A. (“BHD León”), one of the largest banking and financial services groups in the Dominican Republic. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recorded $27.0 million in earnings from its investment in BHD León (December 31, 2019 - $26.6 million), which had a carrying amount of $153.1 million at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $151.6 million). The Corporation received $13.2 million in dividend distributions during the year ended December 31, 2020 from its investment in BHD León (December 31, 2019 - $ 12.6 million).

Investment Companies

The Corporation provides advisory services to several investment companies registered under the Puerto Rico Investment Companies Act in exchange for a fee. The Corporation also provides administrative, custody and transfer agency services to these investment companies. These fees are calculated at an annual rate of the average net assets of the investment company, as defined in each agreement. Due to its advisory role, the Corporation considers these investment companies as related parties.

For the year ended December 31, 2020 administrative fees charged to these investment companies amounted to $6.3 million (December 31, 2019 - $6.4 million) and waived fees amounted to $2.8 million (December 31, 2019 - $2.2 million), for a net fee of $3.5 million (December 31, 2019 - $4.2 million).

The Corporation, through its subsidiary BPPR, has also entered into certain uncommitted credit facilities with those investment companies. As of December 31, 2020, the available lines of credit facilities amounted to $275 million (December 31, 2019 - $ 330 million). The aggregate sum of all outstanding balances under all credit facilities that may be made available by BPPR, from time to time, to those investment companies for which BPPR acts as investment advisor or co-investment advisor, shall never exceed the lesser of $200 million or 10% of BPPR’s capital. At December 31, 2020 there was no outstanding balance for these credit facilities.

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Note 27 – Fair value measurement

ASC Subtopic 820-10 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels in order to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and disclosures. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

· Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Corporation has the ability to access at the measurement date. Valuation on these instruments does not necessitate a significant degree of judgment since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily available in an active market.

· Level 2 - Quoted prices other than those included in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

· Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Corporation’s own judgements about assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Corporation maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices when available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, the Corporation employs internally-developed models that primarily use market-based inputs including yield curves, interest rates, volatilities, and credit curves, among others. Valuation adjustments are limited to those necessary to ensure that the financial instrument’s fair value is adequately representative of the price that would be received or paid in the marketplace. These adjustments include amounts that reflect counterparty credit quality, the Corporation’s credit standing, constraints on liquidity and unobservable parameters that are applied consistently.

The estimated fair value may be subjective in nature and may involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment for certain financial instruments. Changes in the underlying assumptions used in calculating fair value could significantly affect the results.

Fair Value on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis

The following fair value hierarchy tables present information about the Corporation’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:

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At December 31, 2020
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets
Debt securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	3,499,781	$	7,288,259	$	-	$	10,788,040
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities		-		60,184		-		60,184
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies		-		392,132		-		392,132
Mortgage-backed securities		-		10,319,547		1,014		10,320,561
Other		-		235		-		235
Total debt securities available-for-sale	$	3,499,781	$	18,060,357	$	1,014	$	21,561,152
Trading account debt securities, excluding derivatives:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	11,506	$	-	$	-	$	11,506
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions		-		103		-		103
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		68		278		346
Mortgage-backed securities		-		24,338		-		24,338
Other		-		-		381		381
Total trading account debt securities, excluding derivatives	$	11,506	$	24,509	$	659	$	36,674
Equity securities	$	-	$	29,590	$	-	$	29,590
Mortgage servicing rights		-		-		118,395		118,395
Derivatives		-		20,785		-		20,785
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,511,287	$	18,135,241	$	120,068	$	21,766,596
Liabilities
Derivatives	$	-	$	(18,925)	$	-	$	(18,925)
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-	$	(18,925)	$	-	$	(18,925)

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At December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets
Debt securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	3,841,715	$	8,214,540	$	-	$	12,056,255
Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities		-		122,404		-		122,404
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions		-		6,975		-		6,975
Collateralized mortgage obligations - federal agencies		-		586,175		-		586,175
Mortgage-backed securities		-		4,875,132		1,182		4,876,314
Other		-		350		-		350
Total debt securities available-for-sale	$	3,841,715	$	13,805,576	$	1,182	$	17,648,473
Trading account debt securities, excluding derivatives:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	7,081	$	2	$	-	$	7,083
Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions		-		633		-		633
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		76		530		606
Mortgage-backed securities		-		28,556		-		28,556
Other		-		3,003		440		3,443
Total trading account debt securities, excluding derivatives	$	7,081	$	32,270	$	970	$	40,321
Equity securities	$	-	$	21,327	$	-	$	21,327
Mortgage servicing rights		-		-		150,906		150,906
Derivatives		-		17,966		-		17,966
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,848,796	$	13,877,139	$	153,058	$	17,878,993
Liabilities
Derivatives	$	-	$	(16,619)	$	-	$	(16,619)
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-	$	(16,619)	$	-	$	(16,619)

The fair value information included in the following tables is not as of period end, but as of the date that the fair value measurement was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and excludes nonrecurring fair value measurements of assets no longer outstanding as of the reporting date.

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Year ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
NONRECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets											Write-downs
Loans^[1]		$	-	$	-	$	74,511	$	74,511	$	(15,290)
Loans held-for-sale^[2]			-		-		2,738		2,738		(1,311)
Other real estate owned^[3]			-		-		20,123		20,123		(3,325)
Other foreclosed assets^[3]			-		-		116		116		(148)
ROU assets^[4]			-		-		446		446		(15,920)
Leasehold improvements^[4]			-		-		126		126		(2,084)
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis		$	-	$	-	$	98,060	$	98,060	$	(38,078)
[1]	Relates mostly to certain impaired collateral dependent loans. The impairment was measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is derived from appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets in similar locations. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.
[2]	Relates to a quarterly valuation on loans held-for-sale. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.
[3]	Represents the fair value of foreclosed real estate and other collateral owned that were written down to their fair value. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.
[4]	The impairment was measured based on the sublease rental value of the branches that were subject to the strategic realignment of PB’s New York Metro Branch network. Refer to Note 32 for additional information.

Year ended December 31, 2019

(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
NONRECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets											Write-downs
Loans^[1]		$	-	$	-	$	35,363	$	35,363	$	(13,533)
Other real estate owned^[2]			-		-		18,132		18,132		(3,526)
Other foreclosed assets^[2]			-		-		1,213		1,213		(156)
Long-lived assets held-for-sale^[3]			-		-		2,500		2,500		(2,591)
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis		$	-	$	-	$	57,208	$	57,208	$	(19,806)
[1]	Relates mostly to certain impaired collateral dependent loans. The impairment was measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is derived from appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets in similar locations. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.
[2]	Represents the fair value of foreclosed real estate and other collateral owned that were written down to their fair value. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.
[3]	Represents the fair value of long-lived assets held-for-sale that were written down to their fair value.

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Year ended December 31, 2018

(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
NONRECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets										Write-downs
Loans^[1]		$	-	$	-	$	73,893	$	73,893	$	(25,745)
Other real estate owned^[2]			-		-		43,463		43,463		(9,189)
Other foreclosed assets^[2]			-		-		1,349		1,349		(722)
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis		$	-	$	-	$	118,705	$	118,705	$	(35,656)
[1]	Relates mostly to certain impaired collateral dependent loans. The impairment was measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is derived from appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets in similar locations, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Section 310-10-35. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.
[2]	Represents the fair value of foreclosed real estate and other collateral owned that were written down to their fair value. Costs to sell are excluded from the reported fair value amount.

The following tables present the changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

	Year ended December 31, 2020
		MBS				Other
		classified		CMOs		securities
		as debt		classified		classified
		securities		as trading		as trading		Mortgage
		available-		account debt		account debt		servicing		Total
(In thousands)		for-sale		securities		securities		rights		assets
Balance at January 1, 2020		$	1,182	$	530	$	440	$	150,906	$	153,058
Gains (losses) included in earnings			-		(1)		(59)		(42,055)		(42,115)
Gains (losses) included in OCI			(18)		-		-		-		(18)
Additions			-		4		-		9,544		9,548
Settlements			(150)		(255)		-		-		(405)
Balance at December 31, 2020		$	1,014	$	278	$	381	$	118,395	$	120,068
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings relating to assets still held at December 31, 2020		$	-	$	-	$	27	$	(19,327)	$	(19,300)

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	Year ended December 31, 2019
		MBS						Other
		classified		CMOs				securities
		as debt		classified		MBS		classified
		securities		as trading		classified as		as trading		Mortgage
		available-		account debt		trading account		account debt		servicing		Total
(In thousands)		for-sale		securities		debt securities		securities		rights		assets
Balance at January 1, 2019		$	1,233	$	611	$	43	$	485	$	169,777	$	172,149
Gains (losses) included in earnings			-		(1)		(1)		(45)		(27,516)		(27,563)
Gains (losses) included in OCI			(1)		-		-		-		-		(1)
Additions			-		71		25		-		9,143		9,239
Settlements			(50)		(151)		(41)		-		(498)		(740)
Transfers out of Level 3			-		-		(26)		-		-		(26)
Balance at December 31, 2019		$	1,182	$	530	$	-	$	440	$	150,906	$	153,058
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings relating to assets still held at December 31, 2019		$	-	$	1	$	-	$	20	$	(14,190)	$	(14,169)

	Year ended December 31, 2018
		MBS						Other
		classified		CMOs				securities
		as debt		classified		MBS		classified
		securities		as trading		classified as		as trading		Mortgage
		available-		account debt		trading account		account debt		servicing		Total		Contingent		Total
(In thousands)		for-sale		securities		debt securities		securities		rights		assets		consideration[1]			liabilities
Balance at January 1, 2018		$	1,288	$	529	$	43	$	529	$	168,031	$	170,420	$	(164,858)	$	(164,858)
Gains (losses) included in earnings			-		2		-		(44)		(8,477)		(8,519)		(6,112)		(6,112)
Gains (losses) included in OCI			(5)		-		-		-		-		(5)		-		-
Additions			-		260		-		-		10,223		10,483		-		-
Settlements			(50)		(180)		-		-		-		(230)		170,970		170,970
Balance at December 31, 2018		$	1,233	$	611	$	43	$	485	$	169,777	$	172,149	$	-	$	-
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings relating to assets still held at December 31, 2018		$	-	$	2	$	-	$	20	$	8,703	$	8,725	$	-	$	-
[1]	Effective May 22, 2018, the Corporation entered into a Termination Agreement with the FDIC to terminate the Corporation’s loss share arrangement ahead of their contractual maturities.

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During the year ended December 31, 2019, certain MBS were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 due to a change in valuation technique from an internally prepared pricing matrix to a bond’s theoretical value.

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 for Level 3 assets and liabilities included in the previous tables are reported in the consolidated statement of operations as follows:

	2020				2019				2018
	Total		Changes in unrealized		Total		Changes in unrealized		Total		Changes in unrealized
	gains (losses)		gains (losses)		gains (losses)		gains (losses)		gains (losses)		gains (losses)
	included		relating to assets still		included		relating to assets still		included		relating to assets still
(In thousands)	in earnings		held at reporting date		in earnings		held at reporting date		in earnings		held at reporting date
FDIC loss share (expense) income	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(6,112)	$	-
Mortgage banking activities		(42,055)		(19,327)		(27,516)		(14,190)		(8,477)		8,703
Trading account (loss) profit		(60)		27		(47)		21		(42)		22
Total	$	(42,115)	$	(19,300)	$	(27,563)	$	(14,169)	$	(14,631)	$	8,725

The following tables include quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used to derive the fair value of Level 3 instruments, excluding those instruments for which the unobservable inputs were not developed by the Corporation such as prices of prior transactions and/or unadjusted third-party pricing sources at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

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			Fair value
			at December 31,
(In thousands)			2020		Valuation technique	Unobservable inputs	Weighted average (range) [1]
CMO's - trading		$	278		Discounted cash flow model	Weighted average life	1.2 years (0.6 - 1.4 years)
						Yield	3.6% (3.6% - 4.1%)
						Prepayment speed	17.7% (13.8% - 18.3%)
Other - trading		$	381		Discounted cash flow model	Weighted average life	3.6 years
						Yield	12.0%
						Prepayment speed	10.8%
Mortgage servicing rights		$	118,395		Discounted cash flow model	Prepayment speed	6.9%(0.3% - 24.6%)
						Weighted average life	6 years (0.1 - 12.3 years)
						Discount rate	11.1% (9.5% - 14.7%)
Loans held-in-portfolio		$	74,347	^[2]	External appraisal	Haircut applied on
						external appraisals	20.9% (10.0% - 40.0%)
Other real estate owned		$	14,926	^[3]	External appraisal	Haircut applied on
						external appraisals	22.1% (5.0% - 30.0%)
[1]	Weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements were calculated by relative fair value.
[2]	Loans held-in-portfolio in which haircuts were not applied to external appraisals were excluded from this table.
[3]	Other real estate owned in which haircuts were not applied to external appraisals were excluded from this table.

			Fair value
			at December 31,
(In thousands)			2019		Valuation technique	Unobservable inputs	Weighted average (range) [1]
CMO's - trading		$	530		Discounted cash flow model	Weighted average life	1.6 years (1.3 - 1.8 years)
						Yield	4% (3.9% - 4.4%)
						Prepayment speed	18.3% (14.8% - 20.7%)
Other - trading		$	440		Discounted cash flow model	Weighted average life	3.8 years
						Yield	12.0%
						Prepayment speed	10.8%
Mortgage servicing rights		$	150,906		Discounted cash flow model	Prepayment speed	6% (0.2% - 18.5%)
						Weighted average life	6.5 years (0.1 - 14.4 years)
						Discount rate	11.1% (9.5% - 14.7%)
Loans held-in-portfolio		$	38,907	^[2]	External appraisal	Haircut applied on
						external appraisals	10%
Other real estate owned		$	16,119	^[3]	External appraisal	Haircut applied on
						external appraisals	23.8% (5.0% - 35.0%)
[1]	Weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements were calculated by relative fair value.
[2]	Loans held-in-portfolio in which haircuts were not applied to external appraisals were excluded from this table.
[3]	Other real estate owned in which haircuts were not applied to external appraisals were excluded from this table.

187

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s collateralized mortgage obligations and interest-only collateralized mortgage obligation (reported as “other”), which are classified in the “trading” category, are yield, constant prepayment rate, and weighted average life. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the constant prepayment rate will generate a directionally opposite change in the weighted average life. For example, as the average life is reduced by a higher constant prepayment rate, a lower yield will be realized, and when there is a reduction in the constant prepayment rate, the average life of these collateralized mortgage obligations will extend, thus resulting in a higher yield. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s mortgage servicing rights are constant prepayment rates and discount rates. Increases in interest rates may result in lower prepayments. Discount rates vary according to products and / or portfolios depending on the perceived risk. Increases in discount rates result in a lower fair value measurement.

Following is a description of the Corporation’s valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value. The disclosure requirements exclude certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts of the financial instruments disclosed do not represent management’s estimate of the underlying value of the Corporation.

Trading account debt securities and debt securities available-for-sale

· U.S. Treasury securities: The fair value of U.S. Treasury notes is based on yields that are interpolated from the constant maturity treasury curve. These securities are classified as Level 2. U.S. Treasury bills are classified as Level 1 given the high volume of trades and pricing based on those trades.

· Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities: The Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored entities include U.S. agency securities, which fair value is based on an active exchange market and on quoted market prices for similar securities. The U.S. agency securities are classified as Level 2.

· Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions: Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions include municipal bonds. The bonds are segregated and the like characteristics divided into specific sectors. Market inputs used in the evaluation process include all or some of the following: trades, bid price or spread, two sided markets, quotes, benchmark curves including but not limited to Treasury benchmarks, LIBOR and swap curves, market data feeds such as those obtained from municipal market sources, discount and capital rates, and trustee reports. The municipal bonds are classified as Level 2.

· Mortgage-backed securities: Certain agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are priced based on a bond’s theoretical value derived from similar bonds defined by credit quality and market sector. Their fair value incorporates an option adjusted spread. The agency MBS are classified as Level 2. Other agency MBS such as GNMA Puerto Rico Serials are priced using an internally-prepared pricing matrix with quoted prices from local brokers dealers. These particular MBS are classified as Level 3.

· Collateralized mortgage obligations: Agency collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) are priced based on a bond’s theoretical value derived from similar bonds defined by credit quality and market sector and for which fair value incorporates an option adjusted spread. The option adjusted spread model includes prepayment and volatility assumptions, ratings (whole loans collateral) and spread adjustments. These CMOs are classified as Level 2. Other CMOs, due to their limited liquidity, are classified as Level 3 due to the insufficiency of inputs such as executed trades, credit information and cash flows.

· Corporate securities (included as “other” in the “available-for-sale” category): Given that the quoted prices are for similar instruments, these securities are classified as Level 2.

· Corporate securities and interest-only strips (included as “other” in the “trading account debt securities” category): For corporate securities, quoted prices for these security types are obtained from broker dealers. Given that the quoted prices are for similar instruments or do not trade in highly liquid markets, these securities are classified as Level 2. Given that the fair value was estimated based on a discounted cash flow model using unobservable inputs, interest-only strips are classified as Level 3.

Equity securities

Equity securities are comprised principally of shares in closed-ended and open-ended mutual funds and other equity securities. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market at the shares’ market value. Open-ended funds are considered to be liquid, as investors can sell their shares continually to the fund and are priced at NAV. Mutual funds are classified as Level 2. Other equity securities that do not trade in highly liquid markets are also classified as Level 2.

188

Mortgage servicing rights

Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices. MSRs are priced internally using a discounted cash flow model. The discounted cash flow model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, including portfolio characteristics, prepayments assumptions, discount rates, delinquency and foreclosure rates, late charges, other ancillary revenues, cost to service and other economic factors. Prepayment speeds are adjusted for the Corporation’s loan characteristics and portfolio behavior. Due to the unobservable nature of certain valuation inputs, the MSRs are classified as Level 3.

Derivatives

Interest rate caps and indexed options are traded in over-the-counter active markets. These derivatives are indexed to an observable interest rate benchmark, such as LIBOR or equity indexes, and are priced using an income approach based on present value and option pricing models using observable inputs. Other derivatives are liquid and have quoted prices, such as forward contracts or “to be announced securities” (“TBAs”). All of these derivatives are classified as Level 2. The non-performance risk is determined using internally-developed models that consider the collateral held, the remaining term, and the creditworthiness of the entity that bears the risk, and uses available public data or internally-developed data related to current spreads that denote their probability of default.

Loans held-in-portfolio that are collateral dependent

The impairment is measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is derived from appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets in similar locations and which could be subject to internal adjustments. These collateral dependent loans are classified as Level 3.

Loans measured at fair value pursuant to lower of cost or fair value adjustments

Loans measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis pursuant to lower of cost or fair value were priced based on secondary market prices and discounted cash flow models which incorporate internally-developed assumptions for prepayments and credit loss estimates. These loans are classified as Level 3.

Other real estate owned and other foreclosed assets

Other real estate owned includes real estate properties securing mortgage, consumer, and commercial loans. Other foreclosed assets include primarily automobiles securing auto loans. The fair value of foreclosed assets may be determined using an external appraisal, broker price opinion, or an internal valuation. These foreclosed assets are classified as Level 3 since they are subject to internal adjustments.

ROU assets and leasehold improvements

The impairment was measured based on the sublease rental value of the branches that were subject to the strategic realignment of PB’s New York Metro Branch network. These ROU assets and leasehold improvements are classified as Level 3.

189

Note 28 – Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which an asset or obligation could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. For those financial instruments with no quoted market prices available, fair values have been estimated using present value calculations or other valuation techniques, as well as management’s best judgment with respect to current economic conditions, including discount rates, estimates of future cash flows, and prepayment assumptions. Many of these estimates involve various assumptions and may vary significantly from amounts that could be realized in actual transactions.

The fair values reflected herein have been determined based on the prevailing rate environment at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, as applicable. In different interest rate environments, fair value estimates can differ significantly, especially for certain fixed rate financial instruments. In addition, the fair values presented do not attempt to estimate the value of the Corporation’s fee generating businesses and anticipated future business activities, that is, they do not represent the Corporation’s value as a going concern.

The following tables present the carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments with their corresponding level in the fair value hierarchy. The aggregate fair value amounts of the financial instruments disclosed do not represent management’s estimate of the underlying value of the Corporation.

190

		December 31, 2020
		Carrying
(In thousands)		amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair value
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks		$	491,065	$	491,065	$	-	$	-	$	491,065
Money market investments			11,640,880		11,634,851		6,029		-		11,640,880
Trading account debt securities, excluding derivatives^[1]			36,674		11,506		24,509		659		36,674
Debt securities available-for-sale^[1]			21,561,152		3,499,781		18,060,357		1,014		21,561,152
Debt securities held-to-maturity:
	Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions	$	70,768	$	-	$	-	$	83,298	$	83,298
	Collateralized mortgage obligation-federal agency		31		-		-		32		32
	Securities in wholly owned statutory business trusts		11,561		-		11,561		-		11,561
Total debt securities held-to-maturity		$	82,360	$	-	$	11,561	$	83,330	$	94,891
Equity securities:
	FHLB stock	$	49,799	$	-	$	49,799	$	-	$	49,799
	FRB stock		93,045		-		93,045		-		93,045
	Other investments		30,893		-		29,590		1,495		31,085
Total equity securities		$	173,737	$	-	$	172,434	$	1,495	$	173,929
Loans held-for-sale		$	99,455	$	-	$	-	$	102,189	$	102,189
Loans held-in-portfolio			28,488,946		-		-		27,098,297		27,098,297
Mortgage servicing rights			118,395		-		-		118,395		118,395
Derivatives			20,785		-		20,785		-		20,785
		December 31, 2020
		Carrying
(In thousands)		amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair value
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
	Demand deposits	$	49,558,492	$	-	$	49,558,492	$		$	49,558,492
	Time deposits		7,307,848		-		7,319,963		-		7,319,963
Total deposits		$	56,866,340	$	-	$	56,878,455	$	-	$	56,878,455
Assets sold under agreements to repurchase		$	121,303	$	-	$	121,257	$	-	$	121,257
Notes payable:
	FHLB advances	$	542,469	$	-	$	561,977	$	-	$	561,977
	Unsecured senior debt securities		296,574		-		321,078		-		321,078
	Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (related to trust preferred securities)		384,929		-		395,078		-		395,078
	FRB advances		1,009		-		1,009		-		1,009
Total notes payable		$	1,224,981	$	-	$	1,279,142	$	-	$	1,279,142
Derivatives		$	18,925	$		$	18,925	$		$	18,925
[1]	Refer to Note 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fair value by class of financial asset and its hierarchy level

191

		December 31, 2019
		Carrying
(In thousands)		amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair value
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks		$	388,311	$	388,311	$	-	$	-	$	388,311
Money market investments			3,262,286		3,256,274		6,012		-		3,262,286
Trading account debt securities, excluding derivatives^[1]			40,321		7,081		32,270		970		40,321
Debt securities available-for-sale^[1]			17,648,473		3,841,715		13,805,576		1,182		17,648,473
Debt securities held-to-maturity:
	Obligations of Puerto Rico, States and political subdivisions	$	85,556	$	-	$	-	$	93,002	$	93,002
	Collateralized mortgage obligation-federal agency		45		-		-		47		47
	Securities in wholly owned statutory business trusts		11,561		-		11,561		-		11,561
	Other		500		-		500		-		500
Total debt securities held-to-maturity		$	97,662	$	-	$	12,061	$	93,049	$	105,110
Equity securities:
	FHLB stock	$	43,787	$	-	$	43,787	$	-	$	43,787
	FRB stock		93,470		-		93,470		-		93,470
	Other investments		22,630		-		21,328		7,367		28,695
Total equity securities		$	159,887	$	-	$	158,585	$	7,367	$	165,952
Loans held-for-sale		$	59,203	$	-	$	-	$	60,030	$	60,030
Loans held-in-portfolio			26,929,165		-		-		25,051,400		25,051,400
Mortgage servicing rights			150,906		-		-		150,906		150,906
Derivatives			17,966		-		17,966		-		17,966
		December 31, 2019
		Carrying
(In thousands)		amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair value
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
	Demand deposits	$	36,083,809	$	-	$	36,083,809	$	-	$	36,083,809
	Time deposits		7,674,797		-		7,598,732		-		7,598,732
Total deposits		$	43,758,606	$	-	$	43,682,541	$	-	$	43,682,541
Assets sold under agreements to repurchase		$	193,378	$	-	$	193,271	$	-	$	193,271
Notes payable:
	FHLB advances	$	421,399	$	-	$	429,718	$	-	$	429,718
	Unsecured senior debt		295,307		-		323,415		-		323,415
	Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (related to trust preferred securities)		384,902		-		395,216		-		395,216
Total notes payable		$	1,101,608	$	-	$	1,148,349	$	-	$	1,148,349
Derivatives		$	16,619	$	-	$	16,619	$	-	$	16,619
[1]	Refer to Note 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fair value by class of financial asset and its hierarchy level.

The notional amount of commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is $ 9.3 billion and $ 8.4 billion, respectively, and represents the unused portion of credit facilities granted to customers. The notional amount of letters of credit at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is $ 24 million and $ 78 million respectively, and represents the contractual amount that is required to be paid in the event of nonperformance. The fair value of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, which are based on the fees charged to enter into those agreements, are not material to Popular’s financial statements.

192

Note 29 – Employee benefits

Certain employees of BPPR are covered by three non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Retirement Plan and two Restoration Plans. Pension benefits are based on age, years of credited service, and final average compensation (the “Pension Plans”).

The Pension Plans are currently closed to new hires and the accrual of benefits are frozen to all participants. The Pension Plans’ benefit formula is based on a percentage of average final compensation and years of service as of the plan freeze date. Normal retirement age under the retirement plan is age 65 with 5 years of service. Pension costs are funded in accordance with minimum funding standards under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). Benefits under the Pension Plans are subject to the U.S. and Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code limits on compensation and benefits. Benefits under restoration plans restore benefits to selected employees that are limited under the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Retirement Plan due to U.S. and Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code limits and a compensation definition that excludes amounts deferred pursuant to nonqualified arrangements.

In addition to providing pension benefits, BPPR provides certain health care benefits for certain retired employees (the “OPEB Plan”). Regular employees of BPPR, hired before February 1, 2000, may become eligible for health care benefits, provided they reach retirement age while working for BPPR.

The Corporation’s funding policy is to make annual contributions to the plans, when necessary, in amounts which fully provide for all benefits as they become due under the plans.

The Corporation’s pension fund investment strategy is to invest in a prudent manner for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants. A well defined internal structure has been established to develop and implement a risk-controlled investment strategy that is targeted to produce a total return that, when combined with BPPR contributions to the fund, will maintain the fund’s ability to meet all required benefit obligations. Risk is controlled through diversification of asset types, such as investments in domestic and international equities and fixed income.

Equity investments include various types of stock and index funds. Also, this category includes Popular, Inc.’s common stock. Fixed income investments include U.S. Government securities and other U.S. agencies’ obligations, corporate bonds, mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities and index funds, among others. A designated committee periodically reviews the performance of the pension plans’ investments and assets allocation. The Trustee and the money managers are allowed to exercise investment discretion, subject to limitations established by the pension plans’ investment policies. The plans forbid money managers to enter into derivative transactions, unless approved by the Trustee.

The overall expected long-term rate-of-return-on-assets assumption reflects the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation. The assumption has been determined by reflecting expectations regarding future rates of return for the plan assets, with consideration given to the distribution of the investments by asset class and historical rates of return for each individual asset class. This process is reevaluated at least on an annual basis and if market, actuarial and economic conditions change, adjustments to the rate of return may come into place.

The Pension Plans weighted average asset allocation as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the approved asset allocation ranges, by asset category, are summarized in the table below.

	Minimum allotment		Maximum allotment		2020		2019
Equity	0	%	70	%	38	%	36	%
Debt securities	0	%	100	%	60	%	62	%
Popular related securities	0	%	5	%	1	%	1	%
Cash and cash equivalents	0	%	100	%	1	%	1	%

193

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Pension Plans’ assets at fair value at December 31, 2020 and 2019. Investments measured at net asset value per share (“NAV”) as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy, but are presented in order to permit reconciliation of the plans’ assets.

		2020										2019
(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Measured at NAV		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Measured at NAV		Total
Obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies, states and political subdivisions	$	-	$	187,065	$	-	$	7,377	$	194,442	$	-	$	171,744	$	-	$	7,239	$	178,983
Corporate bonds and debentures		-		326,344		-		8,180		334,524		-		304,958		-		7,730		312,688
Equity securities - Common Stocks		101,081		-		-		-		101,081		116,254		-		-		-		116,254
Equity securities - ETF's		94,009		38,229		-		-		132,238		52,083		35,559		-		-		87,642
Foreign commingled trust funds		-		-		-		98,431		98,431		-		-		-		82,030		82,030
Mutual fund		-		4,526		-		-		4,526		-		4,490		-		-		4,490
Mortgage-backed securities		-		-		-		-		-		-		5,777		-		-		5,777
Private equity investments		-		-		70		-		70		-		-		74		-		74
Cash and cash equivalents		9,626		-		-		-		9,626		7,401		-		-		-		7,401
Accrued investment income		-		-		3,847		-		3,847		-		-		4,596		-		4,596
Total assets	$	204,716	$	556,164	$	3,917	$	113,988	$	878,785	$	175,738	$	522,528	$	4,670	$	96,999	$	799,935

194

The closing prices reported in the active markets in which the securities are traded are used to value the investments.

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for investments measured at fair value:

· Obligations of U.S. Government, its agencies, states and political subdivisions - The fair value of Obligations of U.S. Government and its agencies obligations are based on an active exchange market and on quoted market prices for similar securities. U.S. agency structured notes are priced based on a bond’s theoretical value from similar bonds defined by credit quality and market sector and for which the fair value incorporates an option adjusted spread in deriving their fair value. The fair value of municipal bonds are based on trade data on these instruments reported on Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) transaction reporting system or comparable bonds from the same issuer and credit quality. These securities are classified as Level 2, except for the governmental index funds that are measured at NAV.

· Corporate bonds and debentures - Corporate bonds and debentures are valued at fair value at the closing price reported in the active market in which the bond is traded. These securities are classified as Level 2, except for the corporate bond funds that are measured at NAV.

· Equity securities – common stocks - Equity securities with quoted market prices obtained from an active exchange market and high liquidity are classified as Level 1.

· Equity securities – ETF’s – Exchange Traded Funds shares with quoted market prices obtained from an active exchange market. Highly liquid ETF’s are classified as Level 1 while less liquid ETF’s are classified as Level 2.

· Foreign commingled trust fund- Collective investment funds are valued at the NAV of shares held by the plan at year end.

· Mutual funds – Mutual funds are valued at the NAV of shares held by the plan at year end. Mutual funds are classified as Level 2.

· Mortgage-backed securities – The fair value is based on trade data from brokers and exchange platforms where these instruments regularly trade. Certain agency mortgage and other asset backed securities (“MBS”) are priced based on a bond’s theoretical value from similar bonds defined by credit quality and market sector. Their fair value incorporates an option adjusted spread and prepayment projections. The agency MBS are classified as Level 2.

· Private equity investments - Private equity investments include an investment in a private equity fund. The fund value is recorded at its net realizable value which is affected by the changes in the fair market value of the investments held in the fund. This fund is classified as Level 3.

· Cash and cash equivalents - The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of the fair value since it is available on demand or due to their short-term maturity. Cash and cash equivalents are classified as Level 1.

· Accrued investment income – Given the short-term nature of these assets, their carrying amount approximates fair value. Since there is a lack of observable inputs related to instrument specific attributes, these are reported as Level 3.

The preceding valuation methods may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

The following table presents the change in Level 3 assets measured at fair value.

195

(In thousands)		2020		2019
Balance at beginning of year	$	4,670	$	5,092
Purchases, sales, issuance and settlements (net)		(753)		(422)
Balance at end of year	$	3,917	$	4,670

There were no transfers in and/or out of Level 3 for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. There were no transfers in and/or out of Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Information on the shares of common stock held by the pension plans is provided in the table that follows.

(In thousands, except number of shares information)		2020		2019
Shares of Popular, Inc. common stock		162,936		156,444
Fair value of shares of Popular, Inc. common stock	$	9,177	$	9,191
Dividends paid on shares of Popular, Inc. common stock held by the plan	$	238	$	177

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

		Pension Plans						OPEB Plan
(In thousands)		2020		2019		2018		2020		2019		2018
Personnel costs:
Service cost	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	713	$	759	$	1,028
Other operating expenses:
Interest cost		23,389		28,439		25,493		4,913		5,955		5,562
Expected return on plan assets		(38,104)		(32,388)		(40,240)		-		-		-
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		-		-		-		-		-		(3,470)
Recognized net actuarial loss		20,880		23,508		20,260		567		-		1,282
Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,165	$	19,559	$	5,513	$	6,193	$	6,714	$	4,402
Termination benefit loss		-		-		-		-		-		1,790
Total benefit cost	$	6,165	$	19,559	$	5,513	$	6,193	$	6,714	$	6,192

During the year 2018, the termination benefit loss of $1.8 million related to the additional health care benefits provided to the eligible employees that accepted to participate in the “VRP” was recorded as “Personnel costs” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

196

The following table sets forth the aggregate status of the plans and the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

			Pension Plans				OPEB Plan
(In thousands)			2020		2019		2020		2019
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	852,551	$	754,558	$	168,681	$	153,415
Service cost			-		-		713		759
Interest cost			23,389		28,439		4,913		5,955
Actuarial loss^[1]			83,277		113,642		11,247		15,752
Benefits paid			(44,864)		(44,088)		(6,344)		(7,200)
Benefit obligation at end of year		$	914,353	$	852,551	$	179,210	$	168,681
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	799,935	$	685,823	$	-	$	-
Actual return on plan assets			123,484		137,970		-		-
Employer contributions			230		20,230		6,344		7,200
Benefits paid			(44,864)		(44,088)		(6,344)		(7,200)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	878,785	$	799,935	$	-	$	-
Funded status of the plan:
Benefit obligation at end of year		$	(914,353)	$	(852,551)	$	(179,210)	$	(168,681)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year			878,785		799,935		-		-
Funded status at year end		$	(35,568)	$	(52,616)	$	(179,210)	$	(168,681)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Net loss			265,899		288,882		32,152		21,472
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL)		$	265,899	$	288,882	$	32,152	$	21,472
Reconciliation of net (liabilities) assets:
Net liabilities at beginning of year		$	(52,616)	$	(68,735)	$	(168,681)	$	(153,415)
Amount recognized in AOCL at beginning of year, pre-tax			288,882		304,330		21,472		5,720
Amount prepaid at beginning of year			236,266		235,595		(147,209)		(147,695)
Net periodic benefit cost			(6,165)		(19,559)		(6,193)		(6,714)
Contributions			230		20,230		6,344		7,200
Amount prepaid at end of year			230,331		236,266		(147,058)		(147,209)
Amount recognized in AOCL			(265,899)		(288,882)		(32,152)		(21,472)
Net liabilities at end of year		$	(35,568)	$	(52,616)	$	(179,210)	$	(168,681)
[1]	For 2020, significant components of the Pension Plans actuarial loss that changed the benefit obligation were mainly related to a decrease in discount rates partially offset by a greater return on the fair value of plan assets. For OPEB Plans significant components of the actuarial loss that change the benefit obligation were mainly related to a decrease in discount rates partially offset by the per capita claim assumption at year-end which was lower than expected and the healthcare trend rate assumption which was updated at year-end. For 2019, significant components of the Pension Plans actuarial loss that changed the benefit obligation were mainly related to updates in discount and mortality rates. For OPEB Plans significant components of the actuarial loss that change the benefit obligation were mainly related to updates in discount and mortality rates partially offset by update in healthcare election rates and expected annual healthcare costs.

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The following table presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”), pre-tax, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

(In thousands)			Pension Plans				OPEB Plan
			2020		2019		2020		2019
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of year		$	288,882	$	304,330	$	21,472	$	5,720
Increase (decrease) in AOCL:
Recognized during the year:
	Amortization of actuarial losses		(20,880)		(23,508)		(567)		-
Occurring during the year:
	Net actuarial (gains) losses		(2,103)		8,060		11,247		15,752
Total (decrease) increase in AOCL			(22,983)		(15,448)		10,680		15,752
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of year		$	265,899	$	288,882	$	32,152	$	21,472

The Corporation estimates the service and interest cost components utilizing a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to their underlying projected cash flows.

To determine benefit obligation at year end, the Corporation used a weighted average of annual spot rates applied to future expected cash flows for years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The following table presents the discount rate and assumed health care cost trend rates used to determine the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit cost for the plans:

	Pension Plans						OPEB Plan
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:	2020		2019		2018		2020		2019		2018
Discount rate for benefit obligation	3.22 - 3.27	%	4.2 - 4.23	%	3.54 - 3.56	%	3.38	%	4.30	%	3.62	%
Discount rate for service cost	N/A		N/A		N/A		3.72	%	4.49	%	3.74	%
Discount rate for interest cost	2.81 - 2.83	%	3.87 - 3.9	%	3.16 - 3.2	%	2.98	%	3.99	%	3.32	%
Expected return on plan assets	5 - 5.8	%	5.3 - 6	%	5.5 - 6	%	N/A		N/A		N/A
Initial health care cost trend rate	N/A		N/A		N/A		5.00	%	5.00	%	5.50	%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate	N/A		N/A		N/A		5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%
Year that the ultimate trend rate is reached	N/A		N/A		N/A		2020		2019		2019
					Pension Plans				OPEB Plan
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at December 31:					2020		2019		2020		2019
Discount rate for benefit obligation					2.41-2.48	%	3.22-3.27	%	2.65	%	3.38	%
Initial health care cost trend rate					N/A		N/A		5.00	%	5.00	%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate					N/A		N/A		4.50	%	5.00	%
Year that the ultimate trend rate is reached					N/A		N/A		2023		2019

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The following table presents information for plans with a projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

		Pension Plans				OPEB Plan
(In thousands)		2020		2019		2020		2019
Projected benefit obligation	$	914,353	$	852,551	$	179,210	$	168,681
Accumulated benefit obligation		914,353		852,551		179,210		168,681
Fair value of plan assets		878,785		799,935		-		-

The Corporation expects to pay the following contributions to the plans during the year ended December 31, 2021.

(In thousands)	2021
Pension Plans	$	229
OPEB Plan	$	6,333

Benefit payments projected to be made from the plans during the next ten years are presented in the table below.

(In thousands)		Pension Plans		OPEB Plan
2021	$	47,553	$	6,333
2022		45,392		6,462
2023		45,542		6,609
2024		45,732		6,788
2025		45,841		6,955
2026 - 2030		227,986		37,686

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The table below presents a breakdown of the plans’ liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

		Pension Plans				OPEB Plan
(In thousands)		2020		2019		2020		2019
Current liabilities	$	229	$	227	$	6,328	$	6,456
Non-current liabilities		35,339		52,389		172,882		162,225

Savings plans

The Corporation also provides defined contribution savings plans pursuant to Section 1081.01(d) of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code and Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, for substantially all the employees of the Corporation. Investments in the plans are participant-directed, and employer matching contributions are determined based on the specific provisions of each plan. Employees are fully vested in the employer’s contribution after five years of service. The cost of providing these benefits in the year ended December 31, 2020 was $ 14.0 million (2019 - $15.1 million, 2018 - $ 12.7 million).

The plans held 1,362,593 (2019 – 1,378,048) shares of common stock of the Corporation with a market value of approximately $77 million at December 31, 2020 (2019 - $81 million).

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Note 30 – Net income per common share

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per common share (“EPS”), basic and diluted, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(In thousands, except per share information)		2020		2019		2018
Net income	$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158
Preferred stock dividends		(1,758)		(3,723)		(3,723)
Net income applicable to common stock	$	504,864	$	667,412	$	614,435
Average common shares outstanding		85,882,371		96,848,835		101,142,258
Average potential dilutive common shares		92,888		148,965		166,385
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution		85,975,259		96,997,800		101,308,643
Basic EPS	$	5.88	$	6.89	$	6.07
Diluted EPS	$	5.87	$	6.88	$	6.06

As disclosed in Note 19, on May 27, 2020, the Corporation completed its $ 500 million accelerated share repurchase transaction (“ASR”) in 2020. Under the ASR, the Corporation received from the dealer counterparty an initial delivery of 7,055,919 shares of common stock on February 3, 2020. As part of the final settlement of the ASR, the Corporation received an additional 4,763,216 shares of common stock after the early termination date of March 19, 2020. The early termination resulted from the exercise by the dealer counterparty of its contractual right to terminate the transaction due to the trading price of the Corporation’s common stock falling below a specified level due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global markets. The Corporation accounted for the ASR as a treasury stock transaction.

Potential common shares consist of common stock issuable under the assumed exercise of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares awards using the treasury stock method. This method assumes that the potential common shares are issued and the proceeds from exercise, in addition to the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services, are used to purchase common stock at the exercise date. The difference between the number of potential shares issued and the shares purchased is added as incremental shares to the actual number of shares outstanding to compute diluted earnings per share. Warrants, stock options, restricted stock and performance shares awards, if any, that result in lower potential shares issued than shares purchased under the treasury stock method are not included in the computation of dilutive earnings per share since their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect in earnings per common share.

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Note 31 – Revenue from contracts with customers

The following table presents the Corporation’s revenue streams from contracts with customers by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 .

			Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)			2020				2019				2018
				BPPR		Popular U.S.		BPPR		Popular U.S.		BPPR		Popular U.S.
Service charges on deposit accounts			$	136,703	$	11,120	$	146,384	$	14,549	$	137,062	$	13,615
Other service fees:
	Debit card fees			38,685		967		46,066		1,076		45,139		1,035
	Insurance fees, excluding reinsurance			35,799		2,484		42,995		3,803		33,951		3,667
	Credit card fees, excluding late fees and membership fees			88,091		831		86,884		866		74,609		921
	Sale and administration of investment products			21,755		-		23,072		-		21,895		-
	Trust fees			21,700		-		21,198		-		20,351		-
Total revenue from contracts with customers		[1]	$	342,733	$	15,402	$	366,599	$	20,294	$	333,007	$	19,238
[1] The amounts include intersegment transactions of $4.3 million, $3.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, the performance obligations are satisfied by the Corporation by transferring the promised services to the customers. A service is transferred to the customer when, or as, the customer obtains control of that service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized based on the services that have been rendered to date. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized when the customer obtains control over the service. The transaction price, or the amount of revenue recognized, reflects the consideration the Corporation expects to be entitled to in exchange for those promised services. In determining the transaction price, the Corporation considers the effects of variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The Corporation is the principal in a transaction if it obtains control of the specified goods or services before they are transferred to the customer. If the Corporation acts as principal, revenues are presented in the gross amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled and are not netted with any related expenses. On the other hand, the Corporation is an agent if it does not control the specified goods or services before they are transferred to the customer. If the Corporation acts as an agent, revenues are presented in the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled, net of related expenses.

Following is a description of the nature and timing of revenue streams from contracts with customers:

Service charges on deposit accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts are earned on retail and commercial deposit activities and include, but are not limited to, nonsufficient fund fees, overdraft fees and checks stop payment fees. These transaction-based fees are recognized at a point in time, upon occurrence of an activity or event or upon the occurrence of a condition which triggers the fee assessment. The Corporation is acting as principal in these transactions.

Debit card fees

Debit card fees include, but are not limited to, interchange fees, surcharging income and foreign transaction fees. These transaction-based fees are recognized at a point in time, upon occurrence of an activity or event or upon the occurrence of a condition which triggers the fee assessment. Interchange fees are recognized upon settlement of the debit card payment transactions. The Corporation is acting as principal in these transactions.

Insurance fees

Insurance fees include, but are not limited to, commissions and contingent commissions. Commissions and fees are recognized when related policies are effective since the Corporation does not have an enforceable right to payment for services completed to date. An allowance is created for expected adjustments to commissions earned related to policy cancellations. Contingent commissions are recorded on an accrual basis when the amount to be received is notified by the insurance company. The

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Corporation is acting as an agent since it arranges for the sale of the policies and receives commissions if, and when, it achieves the sale.

Credit card fees

Credit card fees include, but are not limited to, interchange fees, additional card fees, cash advance fees, balance transfer fees, foreign transaction fees, and returned payments fees. Credit card fees are recognized at a point in time, upon the occurrence of an activity or an event. Interchange fees are recognized upon settlement of the credit card payment transactions. The Corporation is acting as principal in these transactions.

Sale and administration of investment products

Fees from the sale and administration of investment products include, but are not limited to, commission income from the sale of investment products, asset management fees, underwriting fees, and mutual fund fees.

Commission income from investment products is recognized on the trade date since clearing, trade execution, and custody services are satisfied when the customer acquires or disposes of the rights to obtain the economic benefits of the investment products and brokerage contracts have no fixed duration and are terminable at will by either party. The Corporation is acting as principal in these transactions since it performs the service of providing the customer with the ability to acquire or dispose of the rights to obtain the economic benefits of investment products.

Asset management fees are satisfied over time and are recognized in arrears. At contract inception, the estimate of the asset management fee is constrained from the inclusion in the transaction price since the promised consideration is dependent on the market and thus is highly susceptible to factors outside the manager’s influence. As advisor, the broker-dealer subsidiary is acting as principal.

Underwriting fees are recognized at a point in time, when the investment products are sold in the open market at a markup. When the broker-dealer subsidiary is lead underwriter, it is acting as an agent. In turn, when it is a participating underwriter, it is acting as principal.

Mutual fund fees, such as distribution fees, are considered variable consideration and are recognized over time, as the uncertainty of the fees to be received is resolved as NAV is determined and investor activity occurs. The promise to provide distribution-related services is considered a single performance obligation as it requires the provision of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer. When the broker-dealer subsidiary is acting as a distributor, it is acting as principal. In turn, when it acts as third-party dealer, it is acting as an agent.

Trust fees

Trust fees are recognized from retirement plan, mutual fund administration, investment management, trustee, escrow, and custody and safekeeping services. These asset management services are considered a single performance obligation as it requires the provision of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer. The performance obligation is satisfied over time, except for optional services and certain other services that are satisfied at a point in time. Revenues are recognized in arrears, when, or as, the services are rendered. The Corporation is acting as principal since, as asset manager, it has the obligation to provide the specified service to the customer and has the ultimate discretion in establishing the fee paid by the customer for the specified services.

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Note 32 – Leases

The Corporation enters in the ordinary course of business into operating and finance leases for land, buildings and equipment. These contracts generally do not include purchase options or residual value guarantees. The remaining lease terms of 0.1 to 33.0 years considers options to extend the leases for up to 20.0 years. The Corporation identifies leases when it has both the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset.

The Corporation recognizes right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”) and lease liabilities related to operating and finance leases in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition under the caption of other assets and other liabilities, respectively. Refer to Note 13 and Note 18, respectively, for information on the balances of these lease assets and liabilities.

The Corporation uses the incremental borrowing rate for purposes of discounting lease payments for operating and finance leases, since it does not have enough information to determine the rates implicit in the leases. The discount rates are based on fixed-rate and fully amortizing borrowing facilities of its banking subsidiaries that are collateralized. For leases held by non-banking subsidiaries, a credit spread is added to this rate based on financing transactions with a similar credit risk profile.

On October 27, 2020, PB authorized and approved a strategic realignment of its New York Metro branch network that will result in eleven branch closures, of which nine are leased properties. The branch closures were completed on January 29, 2021.

The following table presents the undiscounted cash flows of operating and finance leases for each of the following periods:

December 31, 2020
(In thousands)		2021		2022		2023		2024		2025		Later Years		Total Lease Payments		Less: Imputed Interest		Total
Operating Leases	$	34,322	$	25,062	$	22,900	$	21,778	$	18,870	$	51,807	$	174,739	$	(22,151)	$	152,588
Finance Leases		3,897		3,402		3,492		3,589		3,701		8,850		26,931		(4,359)		22,572

The following table presents the lease cost recognized by the Corporation in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

		Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)		2020		2019
Finance lease cost:
	Amortization of ROU assets	$	2,215	$	1,701
	Interest on lease liabilities		1,185		1,194
Operating lease cost			31,674		30,664
Short-term lease cost			214		252
Variable lease cost			51		97
Sublease income			(113)		(113)
Net gain recognized from sale and leaseback transaction^[1]			(5,550)		-
Impairment of operating ROU assets^[2]			14,805		-
Impairment of finance ROU assets^[2]			1,115		-
Total lease cost^[3]		$	45,596	$	33,795
[1]	During the quarter ended June 30, 2020, the Corporation recognized the transfer of the Caparra Center as a sale. Since the sale and partial leaseback was considered to be at fair value, no portion of the gain on sale was deferred.
[2]	Impairment loss recognized during the fourth quarter of 2020 in connection with the closure of nine branches as a result of the strategic realignment of PB’s New York Metro branch network.
[3]	Total lease cost is recognized as part of net occupancy expense, except for the net gain recognized from the sale and leaseback transaction which was included as part of other operating income.

Total rental expense for all operating leases, except those with terms of a month or less that were not renewed, for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $ 31.2 million, which is included in net occupancy, equipment and communication expenses, according to their nature. Total amortization and interest expense for capital leases for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

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The following table presents supplemental cash flow information and other related information related to operating and finance leases.

			Years ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)			2020			2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
	Operating cash flows from operating leases^[1]	$	41,650		$	30,073
	Operating cash flows from finance leases		1,185			1,200
	Financing cash flows from finance leases^[1]		3,145			1,726
ROU assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:
	Operating leases^[2]	$	14,975		$	28,430
	Finance leases		4,510			661
Weighted-average remaining lease term:
	Operating leases		8.0	years		8.7	years
	Finance leases		8.9	years		7.3	years
Weighted-average discount rate:
	Operating leases		3.0	%		3.4	%
	Finance leases		5.0	%		5.9	%
[1]	During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation made base lease termination payments amounting to $10.2 million in connection with the closure of nine branches as a result of the strategic realignment of PB’s New York Metro branch network.
[2]	During the quarter ended June 30, 2020, the Corporation recognized a lease liability of $11.1 million and a corresponding ROU asset for the same amount as a result of the partial leaseback of the Caparra Center.

As of December 31, 2020, the Corporation has additional operating leases contracts that have not yet commenced with an undiscounted contract amount of $ 3.6 million, which will have lease terms ranging from 10 to 20 years.

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Note 33 - Stock-based compensation

Incentive Plan

On May 12, 2020, the shareholders of the Corporation approved the Popular, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which permits the Corporation to issue several types of stock-based compensation to employees and directors of the Corporation and/or any of its subsidiaries (the “2020 Incentive Plan”). The 2020 Incentive Plan replaced the Popular, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which was in effect prior to the adoption of the 2020 Incentive Plan (the “2004 Incentive Plan” and, together with the 2020 Incentive Plan, the “Incentive Plan”). Participants under the Incentive Plan are designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (or its delegate, as determined by the Board). Under the Incentive Plan, the Corporation has issued restricted stock and performance shares for its employees and restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSU”) to its directors.

The restricted stock granted under the Incentive Plan to employees becomes vested based on the employees’ continued service with Popular. Unless otherwise stated in an agreement, the compensation cost associated with the shares of restricted stock is determined based on a two-prong vesting schedule. The first part is vested ratably over five years commencing at the date of grant (the “graduated vesting portion”) and the second part is vested at termination of employment after attaining 55 years of age and 10 years of service (the “retirement vesting portion”). The graduated vesting portion is accelerated at termination of employment after attaining 55 years of age and 10 years of service. The vesting schedule for restricted shares granted on or after 2014 is as follows, the graduated vesting portion is vested ratably over four years commencing at the date of the grant and the retirement vesting portion is vested at termination of employment after attaining the earlier of 55 years of age and 10 years of service or 60 years of age and 5 years of service. The graduated vesting portion is accelerated at termination of employment after attaining the earlier of 55 years of age and 10 years of service or 60 years of age and 5 years of service.

The performance share award granted under the Incentive Plan consist of the opportunity to receive shares of Popular, Inc.’s common stock provided that the Corporation achieves certain goals during a three-year performance cycle. The goals will be based on two metrics weighted equally: the Relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) and the Absolute Earnings per Share (“EPS”) goals. For grants issued on 2020, the EPS goal is substituted by the Absolute Return on Average Assets (“ROA”) goal. The TSR metric is considered to be a market condition under ASC 718. For equity settled awards based on a market condition, the fair value is determined as of the grant date and is not subsequently revised based on actual performance. The EPS and ROA metrics are considered to be a performance condition under ASC 718. The fair value is determined based on the probability of achieving the EPS or ROA goal as of each reporting period. The TSR and EPS or ROA metrics are equally weighted and work independently. The number of shares that will ultimately vest ranges from 50% to a 150% of target based on both market (TSR) and performance (EPS and ROA) conditions. The performance shares vest at the end of the three-year performance cycle. If a participant terminate employment after attaining the earlier of 55 years of age and 10 years of service or 60 years of age and 5 years of service, the performance shares shall continue outstanding and vest at the end of the performance cycle.

The following table summarizes the restricted stock and performance shares activity under the Incentive Plan for members of management.

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(Not in thousands)	Shares		Weighted-average grant date fair value
Non-vested at January 1, 2018	295,340	$	30.75
Granted	239,062		45.81
Performance Shares Quantity Adjustment	234,076		33.09
Vested	(372,271)		35.83
Forfeited	(14,021)		37.35
Non-vested at December 31, 2018	382,186	$	36.41
Granted	218,169		55.55
Performance Shares Quantity Adjustment	15,061		55.72
Vested	(270,051)		44.73
Non-vested at December 31, 2019	345,365	$	41.68
Granted	253,943		42.49
Performance Shares Quantity Adjustment	(7)		48.79
Vested	(234,421)		42.64
Forfeited	(6,368)		44.26
Non-vested at December 31, 2020	358,512	$	41.23

During the year ended December 31, 2020, 213,511 shares of restricted stock (2019 - 152,773; 2018 - 166,648 ) and 40,432 performance shares (2019 - 65,396; 2018 - 72,414) were awarded to management under the Incentive Plan.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recognized $7.6 million of restricted stock expense related to management incentive awards, with a tax benefit of $1.3 million (2019 - $ 7.7 million, with a tax benefit of $1.2 million; 2018 - $ 6.9 million, with a tax benefit of $1.1 million). During the year ended December 31, 2020, the fair market value of the restricted stock vested was $9.8 million at grant date and $11.2 million at vesting date. This triggers a windfall of $0.5 million that was recorded as a reduction on income tax expense. During the year ended December 31, 2020 the Corporation recognized $ 2.3 million of performance shares expense, with a tax benefit of $0.2 million (2019 - $ 4.6 million, with a tax benefit of $0.3 million; 2018 - $5.6 million, with a tax benefit of $ 0.4 million). The total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards to members of management at December 31, 2020 was $ 9.5 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.

The following table summarizes the restricted stock and RSU activity under the Incentive Plan for members of the Board of Directors:

(Not in thousands)	Restricted stock		Weighted-average grant date fair value	RSU		Weighted-average grant date fair value
Non-vested at January 1, 2018	-		-	-		-
Granted	25,159	$	46.71	-	$	-
Vested	(25,159)		46.71	-		-
Forfeited	-		-	-		-
Non-vested at December 31, 2018	-		-	-		-
Granted	1,052	$	49.25	27,449	$	57.64
Vested	(1,052)		49.25	(27,449)		57.64
Forfeited	-		-	-		-
Non-vested at December 31, 2019	-		-	-		-
Granted	-	$	-	43,866	$	35.47
Vested	-		-	(43,866)		35.47
Forfeited	-		-	-		-
Non-vested at December 31, 2020	-		-	-		-

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The equity awards granted to members of the Board of Directors of Popular, Inc. (the Directors) will vest and become non-forfeitable on the grant date of such award. Effective on May 2019 all equity awards granted to the Directors may be paid in either restricted stocks or RSU, at the Directors’ election. If RSU are elected the Directors may defer the delivery of the shares of common stocks underlying the RSU award after their retirement. To the extent that cash dividends are paid on the Corporation’s outstanding common stocks, the Directors will receive an additional number of RSU that reflect reinvested dividend equivalent.

For 2020 and 2019, all Directors elected RSU. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2020, no shares of restricted stock were granted to members of the Board of Directors of Popular, Inc. (2019 - 1,052; 2018 – 25,159) and the Corporation recognized no expense related to these restricted stock shares (2019 - $52 thousand, with a tax benefit of $6 thousand; 2018 - $1.6 million, with a tax benefit of $0.2 million).

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 43,866 RSUs were granted to the Directors (2019 - 27,449). For the year ended December 31, 2020, $1.6 million of restricted stock expense related to these RSU was recognized, with a tax benefit of $ 0.3 million (2019 - $1.6 million with a tax benefit of $ 0.2 million). The fair value at vesting date of the RSU vested during the year ended December 31, 2020 for directors was $1.6 million.

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Note 34 – Income taxes

The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, are summarized in the following table.

(In thousands)		2020		2019		2018
Current income tax (benefit) expense:
Puerto Rico	$	33,281	$	2,251	$	126,700
Federal and States		3,613		3,598		6,841
Subtotal		36,894		5,849		133,541
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
Puerto Rico		69,300		123,337		(62,601)
Federal and States		5,744		17,995		20,953
Adjustment for enacted changes in income tax laws		-		-		27,686
Subtotal		75,044		141,332		(13,962)
Total income tax expense	$	111,938	$	147,181	$	119,579

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The reasons for the difference between the income tax expense applicable to income before provision for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the statutory tax rate in Puerto Rico were as follows:

		2020				2019				2018
(In thousands)		Amount	% of pre-tax income			Amount	% of pre-tax income			Amount	% of pre-tax income
Computed income tax at statutory rates	$	231,960	38	%	$	306,869	38	%	$	287,717	39	%
Benefit of net tax exempt interest income		(126,232)	(20)			(145,597)	(18)			(97,199)	(13)
Effect of income subject to preferential tax rate^[1]		(10,141)	(2)			(9,562)	(1)			(111,738)	(15)
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance		15,276	2			16,992	2			27,336	4
Difference in tax rates due to multiple jurisdictions		(1,903)	-			(12,888)	(2)			(16,324)	(3)
Adjustment in net deferred tax due to change in the applicable tax rate		-	-			(6,559)	(1)			27,686	4
Unrecognized tax benefits		(2,163)	-			-	-			(1,621)	-
State and local taxes		4,350	-			4,749	1			8,772	1
Others		791	-			(6,823)	(1)			(5,050)	(1)
Income tax expense	$	111,938	18	%	$	147,181	18	%	$	119,579	16	%
[1] For the year ended December 31,2018, includes the impact of the Tax Closing Agreement entered into in connection with the Westernbank FDIC-assisted Transaction.

For the year ended December 31,2020, the Corporation recorded income tax expense of $ 111.9 million, compared to $147.2 million for the previous year. The reduction in income tax expense was mainly due to lower pre-tax income during the year 2020 as compared to year 2019 resulting primarily from a higher provision for credit losses and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic net of lower tax benefit related to net exempt interest income in year 2020, primarily as a result of an income tax benefit of approximately $26 million recognized in year 2019 related to a revision of the amount of exempt income earned in prior years and certain adjustments pertaining to tax periods for which the statute of limitations had expired.

Income tax expense of $119.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 reflects the impact of the Termination Agreement with the FDIC. In June 2012, the Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury and the Corporation entered into a Tax Closing Agreement (the “Tax Closing Agreement”) to clarify the tax treatment related to the loans acquired in the FDIC Transaction in accordance with the provisions of the Puerto Rico Tax Code. The Tax Closing Agreement provides that these loans are capital assets and any principal amount collected in excess of the amount paid for such loans will be taxed as a capital gain. The Tax Closing Agreement further provides that the Corporation’s tax liability upon the termination of the Shared-Loss Agreements be calculated based on the “deemed sale” of the underlying loans. As a result, in connection with the Termination Agreement with the FDIC, the Corporation recognized an additional income tax expense of $49.8 million associated with the “deemed sale” incremental tax liability at the capital gains rate per the Tax Closing Agreement. In addition, the Corporation recognized an income tax benefit of $ 158.7 million related to the increase in deferred tax assets due to increase in the tax basis of the loans as a result of the “deemed sale” for a net tax benefit of $ 108.9 million. Also, the Corporation recorded an income tax expense of $45.0 million related to the gain resulting from the Termination Agreement, mainly related to the reversal of net deferred tax liability of the true-up payment obligation and the FDIC Loss Share Asset.

On December 10, 2018, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into law Act No. 257 of 2018, which amended the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code to, among other things, reduce the Puerto Rico corporate income tax rate from 39 % to 37.5%. The Corporation recognized, during the year 2018, $27.7 million of income tax expense as a result of a reduction in the Corporation’s net deferred tax asset related to its Puerto Rico operations, due to aforementioned reduction in tax rate at which it expects to realize the benefit of the deferred tax asset.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their tax bases. Significant components of the Corporation’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 were as follows:

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			December 31, 2020
(In thousands)			PR		US		Total
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credits available for carryforward		$	3,003	$	5,269	$	8,272
Net operating loss and other carryforward available			124,355		698,842		823,197
Postretirement and pension benefits			80,179		-		80,179
Deferred loan origination fees			12,079		(2,652)		9,427
Allowance for credit losses			373,010		38,606		411,616
Accelerated depreciation			3,439		5,390		8,829
FDIC-assisted transaction			152,665		-		152,665
Intercompany deferred gains			1,728		-		1,728
Lease liability			22,790		18,850		41,640
Difference in outside basis from pass-through entities			61,222		-		61,222
Other temporary differences			38,954		7,344		46,298
	Total gross deferred tax assets		873,424		771,649		1,645,073
Deferred tax liabilities:
Indefinite-lived intangibles			73,305		37,745		111,050
Unrealized net gain (loss) on trading and available-for-sale securities			67,003		8,595		75,598
Right of use assets			20,708		15,510		36,218
Other temporary differences			50,247		1,169		51,416
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		211,263		63,019		274,282
Valuation allowance			112,871		407,225		520,096
Net deferred tax asset		$	549,290	$	301,405	$	850,695

			December 31, 2019
(In thousands)			PR		US		Total
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credits available for carryforward		$	2,368	$	5,269	$	7,637
Net operating loss and other carryforward available			112,803		716,796		829,599
Postretirement and pension benefits			82,623		-		82,623
Deferred loan origination fees			2,519		(2,759)		(240)
Allowance for loan losses			405,475		10,981		416,456
Accelerated depreciation			3,439		4,914		8,353
FDIC-assisted transaction^[1]			152,665		-		152,665
Intercompany deferred gains			1,604		-		1,604
Lease liability			22,694		23,387		46,081
Difference in outside basis from pass-through entities			21,670		-		21,670
Other temporary differences			26,554		7,460		34,014
	Total gross deferred tax assets		834,414		766,048		1,600,462
Deferred tax liabilities:
Indefinite-lived intangibles			69,976		36,058		106,034
Unrealized net gain (loss) on trading and available-for-sale securities			15,635		432		16,067
Right of use assets			20,598		21,430		42,028
Other temporary differences			50,194		1,179		51,373
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		156,403		59,099		215,502
Valuation allowance			100,175		399,800		499,975
Net deferred tax asset		$	577,836	$	307,149	$	884,985
[1]	For the year ended December 31, 2019, the amounts included within the indefinite-lived intangibles and other liabilities include $32.6 million and $37.4 million, respectively which were previously included within the FDIC- assisted transaction line for the Puerto Rico operations. The Corporation determined to separately present these lines to better reflect the nature of the assets and liabilities within the respective lines, after the termination of the FDIC loss sharing agreement.

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The net deferred tax asset shown in the table above at December 31, 2020 is reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition as $0.9 billion in net deferred tax assets (in the “other assets” caption) (2019 - $0.9 billion in deferred tax asset in the “other assets” caption) and $ 897 thousands in deferred tax liabilities (in the “other liabilities” caption) (2019 - $1.4 million in deferred tax liabilities in the “other liabilities” caption), reflecting the aggregate deferred tax assets or liabilities of individual tax-paying subsidiaries of the Corporation.

Included as part of the other carryforwards available are $29 million related to contributions to BPPR’s qualified pension plan that have no expiration date. Additionally, the deferred tax asset related to the NOLs outstanding at December 31, 2020 expires as follows:

(In thousands)
2021	$	16
2022		396
2023		1,362
2024		9,181
2025		13,516
2026		13,402
2027		16,430
2028		311,838
2029		111,343
2030		115,550
2031		96,273
2032		16,951
2033		2,990
2034		84,923
	$	794,171

A deferred tax asset should be reduced by a valuation allowance if based on the weight of all available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. The valuation allowance should be sufficient to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. At December 31, 2020 the net deferred tax asset of the U.S. operations amounted to $708 million with a valuation allowance of approximately $407 million, for a net deferred tax asset after valuation allowance of approximately $301 million. The Corporation evaluates the realization of the deferred tax asset by taxing jurisdiction. The U.S. operations are evaluated, as a whole, since a consolidated income tax return is filed. During the year ended December 31, 2020, two additional pieces of negative evidence arose: further reduction in interest rates combined with a lower expectation of rate increases in the near future and the economic uncertainty around COVID-19 pandemic. This economic disruption was the principal driver of the significant increase in the provision for credit losses during this year, although net charge-offs and early credit indicators such as NPL inflows in our U.S. operations has been stable. On the other hand, besides those challenges raised by the pandemic, the financial results of the U.S. operations were positive. This objectively verifiable positive evidence together with the positive evidence of recent historical operating performance such as sustained loan growth, the early success of new business initiatives, the branch optimization strategy, and stable credit metrics, in combination with the length of the expiration of the NOLs are enough to overcome the additional negative evidence related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of December 31, 2020, after weighting all positive and negative evidence, the Corporation concluded that it is more likely than not that approximately $301 million of the deferred tax asset from the U.S. operations, comprised mainly of net operating losses, will be realized. The Corporation based this determination on its estimated earnings available to realize the deferred tax asset for the remaining carryforward period, together with the historical level of book income adjusted by permanent differences. Management will continue to monitor and review the U.S. operation’s results and the pre-tax earnings forecast on a quarterly basis to assess the future realization of the DTA. Management will closely monitor factors like, net income versus forecast, targeted loan growth, net interest income margin, allowance for credit losses, charge offs, NPLs inflows and NPA balances. If such factors worsen during future periods, they could constitute sufficient objectively verifiable negative evidence to overcome the positive evidence, that currently exists, and could require additional amounts of valuation allowance to be

212

registered on the DTA. Any increases to the valuation allowance would be reflected as an income tax expense, reducing the Corporation’s earnings.

At December 31, 2020, the Corporation’s net deferred tax assets related to its Puerto Rico operations amounted to $549 million.

The Corporation’s Puerto Rico Banking operation is not in a cumulative loss position and has sustained profitability for the three year period ended December 31, 2020. This is considered a strong piece of objectively verifiable positive evidence that out weights any negative evidence considered by management in the evaluation of the realization of the deferred tax asset. Based on this evidence and management’s estimate of future taxable income, the Corporation has concluded that it is more likely than not that such net deferred tax asset of the Puerto Rico Banking operations will be realized.

The Holding Company operation is in a cumulative loss position, taking into account taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences, for the three years period ending December 31, 2020. Management expect these losses will be a trend in future years. This objectively verifiable negative evidence is considered by management a strong negative evidence that will suggest that income in future years will be insufficient to support the realization of all deferred tax asset. After weighting of all positive and negative evidence management concluded, as of the reporting date, that it is more likely than not that the Holding Company will not be able to realize any portion of the deferred tax assets, considering the criteria of ASC Topic 740. Accordingly, the Corporation has maintained a valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset of $113 million as of December 2020.

Under the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, the Corporation and its subsidiaries are treated as separate taxable entities and are not entitled to file consolidated tax returns. However, certain subsidiaries that are organized as limited liability companies with a partnership election are treated as pass-through entities for Puerto Rico tax purposes. The Code provides a dividends-received deduction of 100% on dividends received from “controlled” subsidiaries subject to taxation in Puerto Rico and 85% on dividends received from other taxable domestic corporations.

The Corporation’s subsidiaries in the United States file a consolidated federal income tax return. The intercompany settlement of taxes paid is based on tax sharing agreements which generally allocate taxes to each entity based on a separate return basis.

The following table presents a reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits.

(In millions)
Balance at January 1, 2019		$	7.2
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years^[1]			9.1
Balance at December 31, 2019		$	16.3
Reduction as a result of lapse of statute of limitations			(1.5)
Balance at December 31, 2020		$	14.8
[1]	The Corporation recorded a deferred tax asset of $8.7 million associated with the unrecognized tax benefit since the uncertainty of the tax position is related to the timing of the tax benefit.

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At December 31, 2020, the total amount of interest recognized in the statement of financial condition approximated $4.8 million (2019 - $3.5 million). The total interest expense recognized during 2020 was $2.0 million net of a reduction of $645 thousands due to the expiration of the statute of limitation (2019 - $ 664 thousand). Management determined that, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no need to accrue for the payment of penalties. The Corporation’s policy is to report interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense, while the penalties, if any, are reported in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Corporation and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in Puerto Rico, the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various U.S. states and political subdivisions, and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2020, the following years remain subject to examination in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction – 2017 and thereafter and in the Puerto Rico jurisdiction – 2014, 2016 and thereafter. The Corporation anticipates a reduction in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months, which could amount to approximately $13.6 million, including interest.

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Note 35 – Supplemental disclosure on the consolidated statements of cash flows

Additional disclosures on cash flow information and non-cash activities for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are listed in the following table:

(In thousands)			2020		2019		2018
Income taxes paid		$	13,045	$	14,461	$	4,116
Interest paid			240,342		369,383		296,757
Non-cash activities:
Loans transferred to other real estate			14,464		67,056		47,965
Loans transferred to other property			48,614		53,286		43,645
Total loans transferred to foreclosed assets			63,078		120,342		91,610
Loans transferred to other assets			7,117		16,503		16,843
Financed sales of other real estate assets			15,606		15,907		16,779
Financed sales of other foreclosed assets			34,492		30,840		17,867
Total financed sales of foreclosed assets			50,098		46,747		34,646
Financed sale of premises and equipment			31,350		-		-
Transfers from loans held-in-portfolio to loans held-for-sale			82,299		-		-
Transfers from loans held-for-sale to loans held-in-portfolio			20,153		7,829		20,938
Loans securitized into investment securities^[1]			508,071		458,758		506,685
Trades receivables from brokers and counterparties			64,092		39,364		40,088
Trades payable to brokers and counterparties			720,212		4,084		64
Receivables from investments securities			-		-		70,000
Recognition of mortgage servicing rights on securitizations or asset transfers			9,544		9,143		10,223
Loans booked under the GNMA buy-back option			24,244		72,480		384,371
Capitalization of Right of Use Assets			29,692		189,097		-
Gain from the FDIC Termination Agreement			-		-		102,752
[1]	Includes loans securitized into trading securities and subsequently sold before year end.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and due from banks, and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.


(In thousands)		December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Cash and due from banks		$	484,859	$	361,705	$	353,936
Restricted cash and due from banks			6,206		26,606		40,099
Restricted cash in money market investments			6,029		6,012		9,216
Total cash and due from banks, and restricted cash^[2]		$	497,094	$	394,323	$	403,251
[2]	Refer to Note 4 - Restrictions on cash and due from banks and certain securities for nature of restrictions.

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Note 36 – Segment reporting

The Corporation’s corporate structure consists of two reportable segments – Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and Popular U.S. Management determined the reportable segments based on the internal reporting used to evaluate performance and to assess where to allocate resources. The segments were determined based on the organizational structure, which focuses primarily on the markets the segments serve, as well as on the products and services offered by the segments.

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico:

Given that Banco Popular de Puerto Rico constitutes a significant portion of the Corporation’s results of operations and total assets at December 31, 2020, additional disclosures are provided for the business areas included in this reportable segment, as described below:

· Commercial banking represents the Corporation’s banking operations conducted at BPPR, which are targeted mainly to corporate, small and middle size businesses. It includes aspects of the lending and depository businesses, as well as other finance and advisory services. BPPR allocates funds across business areas based on duration matched transfer pricing at market rates. This area also incorporates income related with the investment of excess funds, as well as a proportionate share of the investment function of BPPR.

· Consumer and retail banking represents the branch banking operations of BPPR which focus on retail clients. It includes the consumer lending business operations of BPPR, as well as the lending operations of Popular Auto and Popular Mortgage. Popular Auto focuses on auto and lease financing, while Popular Mortgage focuses principally on residential mortgage loan originations. The consumer and retail banking area also incorporates income related with the investment of excess funds from the branch network, as well as a proportionate share of the investment function of BPPR.

· Other financial services include the trust and asset management service units of BPPR, the brokerage and investment banking operations of Popular Securities, and the insurance agency and reinsurance businesses of Popular Insurance, Popular Risk Services, and Popular Life Re. Most of the services that are provided by these subsidiaries generate profits based on fee income.

Popular U.S.:

Popular U.S. reportable segment consists of the banking operations of Popular Bank (PB) and Popular Insurance Agency, U.S.A. PB operates through a retail branch network in the U.S. mainland under the name of Popular. Popular Insurance Agency, U.S.A. offers investment and insurance services across the PB branch network.

The Corporate group consists primarily of the holding companies Popular, Inc., Popular North America, Popular International Bank and certain of the Corporation’s investments accounted for under the equity method, including EVERTEC and Centro Financiero BHD, León.

The accounting policies of the individual operating segments are the same as those of the Corporation. Transactions between reportable segments are primarily conducted at market rates, resulting in profits that are eliminated for reporting consolidated results of operations.

The tables that follow present the results of operations and total assets by reportable segments:

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December 31, 2020
				Banco Popular				Intersegment
(In thousands)				de Puerto Rico		Popular U.S.		Eliminations
Net interest income			$	1,593,599	$	302,517	$	11
Provision for credit losses				210,955		81,486		-
Non-interest income				445,893		24,285		(553)
Amortization of intangibles				5,634		665		-
Depreciation expense				47,890		9,558		-
Other operating expenses				1,169,816		228,406		(544)
Income tax expense				106,211		7,411		-
Net income (loss)			$	498,986	$	(724)	$	2
Segment assets			$	55,353,626	$	10,255,954	$	(33,935)

December 31, 2020
		Reportable						Total
(In thousands)		Segments		Corporate		Eliminations		Popular, Inc.
Net interest income (expense)	$	1,896,127	$	(39,514)	$	-	$	1,856,613
Provision for credit losses		292,441		95		-		292,536
Non-interest income		469,625		46,442		(3,755)		512,312
Amortization of intangibles		6,299		98		-		6,397
Depreciation expense		57,448		1,004		-		58,452
Other operating expenses		1,397,678		(1,212)		(3,486)		1,392,980
Income tax expense (benefit)		113,622		(1,560)		(124)		111,938
Net income	$	498,264	$	8,503	$	(145)	$	506,622
Segment assets	$	65,575,645	$	5,214,439	$	(4,864,084)	$	65,926,000

December 31, 2019
				Banco Popular				Intersegment
(In thousands)				de Puerto Rico		Popular U.S.		Eliminations
Net interest income			$	1,633,950	$	295,470	$	(51)
Provision for credit losses				135,495		30,028		-
Non-interest income				506,739		23,160		(561)
Amortization of intangibles				8,610		664		-
Depreciation expense				49,058		8,263		-
Other operating expenses				1,208,458		205,219		(547)
Income tax expense				129,145		19,164		-
Net income			$	609,923	$	55,292	$	(65)
Segment assets			$	41,756,864	$	10,056,316	$	(18,576)

December 31, 2019
		Reportable						Total
(In thousands)		Segments		Corporate		Eliminations		Popular, Inc.
Net interest income (expense)	$	1,929,369	$	(37,675)	$	-	$	1,891,694
Provision for credit losses		165,523		256		-		165,779
Non-interest income		529,338		43,901		(3,356)		569,883
Amortization of intangibles		9,274		96		-		9,370
Depreciation expense		57,321		746		-		58,067
Other operating expenses		1,413,130		55		(3,140)		1,410,045
Income tax expense (benefit)		148,309		(1,041)		(87)		147,181
Net income	$	665,150	$	6,114	$	(129)	$	671,135
Segment assets	$	51,794,604	$	5,228,276	$	(4,907,556)	$	52,115,324

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December 31, 2018
				Banco Popular				Intersegment
(In thousands)				de Puerto Rico		Popular U.S.		Eliminations
Net interest income			$	1,482,178	$	304,576	$	(2)
Provision for credit losses				198,442		29,881		-
Non-interest income				592,938		19,988		(560)
Amortization of intangibles				8,620		665		-
Depreciation expense				43,504		9,053		-
Other operating expenses				1,073,012		182,154		(546)
Income tax expense				121,195		25,294		-
Net income			$	630,343	$	77,517	$	(16)
Segment assets			$	38,037,696	$	9,381,636	$	(114,923)


December 31, 2018
		Reportable						Total
(In thousands)		Segments		Corporate		Eliminations		Popular, Inc.
Net interest income (expense)	$	1,786,752	$	(51,875)	$	-	$	1,734,877
Provision (reversal) for credit losses		228,323		(251)		-		228,072
Non-interest income		612,366		42,914		(2,786)		652,494
Amortization of intangibles		9,285		41		-		9,326
Depreciation expense		52,557		743		-		53,300
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		-		12,522		-		12,522
Other operating expenses		1,254,620		94,640		(2,846)		1,346,414
Income tax expense (benefit)		146,489		(26,947)		37		119,579
Net income (loss)	$	707,844	$	(89,709)	$	23	$	618,158
Segment assets	$	47,304,409	$	5,099,491	$	(4,799,323)	$	47,604,577

Additional disclosures with respect to the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico reportable segment are as follows:

December 31, 2020
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
				Consumer		Other				Total Banco
		Commercial		and Retail		Financial				Popular de
(In thousands)		Banking		Banking		Services		Eliminations		Puerto Rico
Net interest income	$	653,091	$	927,165	$	13,343	$	-	$	1,593,599
Provision for credit losses		47,905		163,050		-		-		210,955
Non-interest income		100,329		249,464		97,443		(1,343)		445,893
Amortization of intangibles		197		3,609		1,828		-		5,634
Depreciation expense		20,488		26,746		656		-		47,890
Other operating expenses		303,534		782,521		85,122		(1,361)		1,169,816
Income tax expense (benefit)		104,617		(5,934)		7,528		-		106,211
Net income	$	276,679	$	206,637	$	15,652	$	18	$	498,986
Segment assets	$	49,806,766	$	29,000,270	$	2,218,444	$	(25,671,854)	$	55,353,626

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	December 31, 2019
	Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
					Consumer		Other				Total Banco
			Commercial		and Retail		Financial				Popular de
(In thousands)			Banking		Banking		Services		Eliminations		Puerto Rico
Net interest income		$	619,926	$	1,009,196	$	4,828	$	-	$	1,633,950
Provision (reversal) for credit losses			(46,099)		181,594		-		-		135,495
Non-interest income			99,758		303,268		106,218		(2,505)		506,739
Amortization of intangibles			195		4,294		4,121		-		8,610
Depreciation expense			20,024		28,411		623		-		49,058
Other operating expenses			309,762		835,582		65,631		(2,517)		1,208,458
Income tax expense			104,636		11,999		12,510		-		129,145
Net income		$	331,166	$	250,584	$	28,161	$	12	$	609,923
Segment assets		$	34,340,842	$	23,976,004	$	380,557	$	(16,940,539)	$	41,756,864

December 31, 2018
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
					Consumer		Other		Eliminations		Total Banco
			Commercial		and Retail		Financial		and Other		Popular de
(In thousands)			Banking		Banking		Services		Adjustments [1]		Puerto Rico
Net interest income		$	584,293	$	892,735	$	5,201	$	(51)	$	1,482,178
Provision for credit losses			105,604		92,838		-		-		198,442
Non-interest income			84,762		311,775		95,199		101,202		592,938
Amortization of intangibles			208		4,275		4,137		-		8,620
Depreciation expense			17,668		25,222		614		-		43,504
Other operating expenses			276,158		718,990		71,344		6,520		1,073,012
Income tax expense			76,255		100,925		7,903		(63,888)		121,195
Net income		$	193,162	$	262,260	$	16,402	$	158,519	$	630,343
Segment assets		$	27,712,852	$	22,712,950	$	376,992	$	(12,765,098)	$	38,037,696
[1]	Includes the impact of the Termination Agreement with the FDIC and the Tax Closing Agreement entered into in connection with the FDIC transaction. These transactions resulted in a gain of $102.8 million reported in the non-interest income line, other operating expenses of $8.1 million and a net tax benefit of $63.9 million. Refer to Note 34 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Geographic Information

The following information presents selected financial information based on the geographic location where the Corporation conducts its business. The banking operations of BPPR are primarily based in Puerto Rico, where it has the largest retail banking franchise. BPPR also conducts banking operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and New York. BPPR’s banking operations in the United States include E-loan, an online platform used to offer personal loans, co-branded credit cards offerings and an online deposit gathering platform. In the Virgin Islands, the BPPR segment offers banking products, including loans and deposits. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the BPPR segment generated approximately $ 55.3 million (2019 - $55.7 million, 2018 - $ 37.6 million) in revenues from its operations in the United States, including net interest income, service charges on deposit accounts and other service fees. In addition, the BPPR segment generated $44.2 million in revenues (2019 - $47.6 million, 2018 - $48.8 million) from its operations in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. At December 31, 2020, total assets for the BPPR segment related to its operations in the United States amounted to $627 million (2019 - $635 million).

(In thousands)			2020		2019		2018
Revenues:^[1]
	Puerto Rico	$	1,921,207	$	2,016,089	$	1,953,671
	United States		376,529		371,368		357,680
	Other		71,189		74,120		76,020
Total consolidated revenues		$	2,368,925	$	2,461,577	$	2,387,371
[1]	Total revenues include net interest income, service charges on deposit accounts, other service fees, mortgage banking activities, net gain (loss) on sale of debt securities, net gain (loss), including impairment on equity securities, net profit (loss) on trading account debt securities, net gain on sale of loans, including valuation adjustments on loans held-for-sale, adjustments (expense) to indemnity reserves on loans sold, FDIC loss-share income and other operating income.

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Selected Balance Sheet Information
(In thousands)			2020		2019		2018
Puerto Rico
	Total assets	$	54,143,954	$	40,544,255	$	36,863,930
	Loans		20,413,112		18,989,286		18,837,742
	Deposits		47,586,880		34,664,243		31,237,529
United States
	Total assets	$	10,878,030	$	10,693,536	$	9,847,944
	Loans		8,396,983		7,819,187		7,034,075
	Deposits		7,672,549		7,664,792		6,878,599
Other
	Total assets	$	904,016	$	877,533	$	892,703
	Loans		674,556		657,603		687,494
	Deposits ^[1]		1,606,911		1,429,571		1,593,911
[1]	Represents deposits from BPPR operations located in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

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Note 37 - Popular, Inc. (holding company only) financial information

The following condensed financial information presents the financial position of Popular, Inc. Holding Company only at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Condensed Statements of Condition
			December 31,
(In thousands)			2020		2019
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks (includes $69,299 due from bank subsidiary (2019 - $56,008))		$	69,299	$	55,956
Money market investments			111,596		221,598
Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (includes $8,726 in common securities from statutory trusts (2019 - $8,726))^[1]			8,726		8,726
Equity securities, at lower of cost or realizable value			16,049		10,744
Investment in BPPR and subsidiaries, at equity			4,327,188		4,233,046
Investment in Popular North America and subsidiaries, at equity			1,733,411		1,749,518
Investment in other non-bank subsidiaries, at equity			271,129		260,501
Other loans			31,473		32,027
	Less - Allowance for credit losses		311		410
Premises and equipment			5,322		3,893
Investment in equity method investees			88,272		75,739
Other assets (includes $5,518 due from subsidiaries and affiliate (2019 - $4,353))			35,002		25,087
Total assets		$	6,697,156	$	6,676,425

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable		$	587,386	$	586,119
Other liabilities (includes $3,779 due to subsidiaries and affiliate (2019 - $2,109))			81,148		73,596
Stockholders’ equity			6,028,622		6,016,710
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	6,697,156	$	6,676,425
[1] Refer to Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for information on the statutory trusts.

Condensed Statements of Operations
			Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)			2020		2019		2018
Income:
	Dividends from subsidiaries	$	586,000	$	408,000	$	453,200
	Interest income (includes $2,290 due from subsidiaries and affiliates (2019 - $4,237; 2018 - $6,121))		4,949		6,669		8,366
	Earnings from investments in equity method investees		17,841		17,279		15,498
	Other operating income		1		1		253
	Net gain (loss), including impairment, on equity securities		1,494		988		(777)
Total income			610,285		432,937		476,540
Expenses:
	Interest expense		38,528		38,528		51,218
	Provision (reversal) for credit losses		95		256		(251)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt		-		-		12,522
	Operating (income) expenses (includes expenses for services provided by subsidiaries and affiliate of $13,140 (2019 - $14,400 ; 2018 - $10,511)), net of reimbursement by subsidiaries for services provided by parent of $138,729 (2019 - $106,725 ; 2018 - $90,807)		(921)		80		3,656
Total expenses			37,702		38,864		67,145
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed (losses) earnings of subsidiaries			572,583		394,073		409,395
Income tax expense			17		-		-
Income before equity in undistributed (losses) earnings of subsidiaries			572,566		394,073		409,395
Equity in undistributed (losses) earnings of subsidiaries			(65,944)		277,062		208,763
Net income		$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158
Comprehensive income, net of tax		$	866,551	$	929,171	$	540,836

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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
				Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)				2020		2019		2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income			$	506,622	$	671,135	$	618,158
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Equity in losses (earnings) of subsidiaries, net of dividends or distributions			65,944		(277,062)		(208,763)
	Provision (reversal) for credit losses			95		256		(251)
	Amortization of intangibles			98		96		41
	Net accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums and deferred fees			1,233		1,240		2,022
	Share-based compensation			5,770		7,927		7,441
	Earnings from investments under the equity method, net of dividends or distributions			(15,510)		(14,948)		(14,333)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt			-		-		12,522
	Net (increase) decrease in:
		Equity securities		(5,305)		(4,051)		(1,583)
		Other assets		(8,327)		1,134		344
	Net (decrease) increase in:
		Interest payable		-		-		(10,288)
		Other liabilities		2,470		2,508		8,059
Total adjustments				46,468		(282,900)		(204,789)
Net cash provided by operating activities				553,090		388,235		413,369
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Net decrease (increase) in money market investments			110,000		(45,000)		70,000
	Net repayments on other loans			587		677		536
	Capital contribution to subsidiaries			(10,000)		(9,000)		(87,000)
	Return of capital from wholly owned subsidiaries			12,500		13,000		13,000
	Return of capital from equity method investments			131		-		-
	Acquisition of premises and equipment			(2,667)		(1,289)		(1,099)
	Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment			285		3		293
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities				110,836		(41,609)		(4,270)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Payments of notes payable			-		-		(448,518)
	Payments of debt extinguishment			-		-		(12,522)
	Proceeds from issuance of notes payable			-		-		293,819
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock			15,175		13,451		11,653
	Payments for repurchase of reedemable preferred stock			(28,017)		-		-
	Dividends paid			(133,645)		(115,810)		(105,441)
	Net payments for repurchase of common stock			(500,705)		(250,571)		(125,731)
	Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation			(3,394)		(5,420)		(2,201)
Net cash used in financing activities				(650,586)		(358,350)		(388,941)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks, and restricted cash				13,340		(11,724)		20,158
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash at beginning of period				56,554		68,278		48,120
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash at end of period			$	69,894	$	56,554	$	68,278

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Popular, Inc. (parent company only) received dividend distributions from its direct equity method investees amounting to $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 - $2.3 million; 2018 - $1.2 million). Also, received dividend distributions from PIBI amounting to $12.5 million (2019 - $13.0 million; 2018 - $13.0 million) which main source of income is derived from its investment in BHD and was recorded as a reduction to the investment.

Notes payable include junior subordinated debentures issued by the Corporation that are associated to capital securities issued by the Popular Capital Trust I and Popular Capital Trust II and medium-term notes. Refer to Note 17 for a description of significant provisions related to these junior subordinated debentures. The following table presents the aggregate amounts by contractual maturities of notes payable at December 31, 2020:

Year		(In thousands)
2021	$	-
2022		-
2023		296,574
2024		-
2025		-
Later years		290,812
Total	$	587,386

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 1, 2021.

		POPULAR, INC.
		(Registrant)

		By: /S/ IGNACIO ALVAREZ
		Ignacio Alvarez
		President and
		Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/S/ RICHARD L. CARRIÓN	Chairman of the Board	3-01-21
Richard L. Carrión
Chairman of the Board

/S/ IGNACIO ALVAREZ	President, Chief Executive Officer	3-01-21
Ignacio Alvarez	and Director
President and Chief Executive Officer

/S/ CARLOS J. VÁZQUEZ	Principal Financial Officer	3-01-21
Carlos J. Vázquez
Executive Vice President

/S/ JORGE J. GARCÍA	Principal Accounting Officer	3-01-21
Jorge J. García
Senior Vice President and Comptroller

/S/ ALEJANDRO M. BALLESTER	Director	3-01-21
Alejandro M. Ballester

S/ MARÍA LUISA FERRÉ	Director	3-01-21
María Luisa Ferré

/S/ C. KIM GOODWIN	Director	3-01-21
C. Kim Goodwin

/S/ JOAQUÍN E. BACARDÍ, III	Director	3-01-21
Joaquín E. Bacardi, III

/S/ CARLOS A. UNANUE	Director	3-01-21
Carlos A. Unanue

/S/ JOHN W. DIERCKSEN	Director	3-01-21
John W. Diercksen

/S/ MYRNA M. SOTO	Director	3-01-21
Myrna M. Soto

/S/ ROBERT CARRADY	Director	3-01-21
Robert Carrady

224