<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF POPULAR, INCORPORATED FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                         663,696
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          54,354
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               931,123
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               236,610
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  7,324,950
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         299,312
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           295,075
<LOANS>                                     14,907,754
<ALLOWANCE>                                    292,010
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,460,539
<DEPOSITS>                                  14,173,715
<SHORT-TERM>                                 7,026,869
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            459,329
<LONG-TERM>                                  2,127,599
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       827,662
<OTHER-SE>                                     733,324
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              25,460,539
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,373,158
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              425,907
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                52,605
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,851,670
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             452,215
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             897,932
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          953,739
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  148,948
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 638
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                837,482
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                342,678
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     257,558
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   257,558
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.65
<LOANS-NON>                                    296,845
<LOANS-PAST>                                    28,731
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                117,114
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               267,249
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  182,710
<RECOVERIES>                                    58,008
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              292,010
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           266,135
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             25,875
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0