EXHIBIT 23(A)


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 19, 2001 relating to the
financial statements, which appears on page F-29 of the 2000 Annual Report to
Shareholders of Popular, Inc., which is incorporated by reference in Popular,
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. We also
consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration
Statement.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Juan, Puerto Rico

November 9, 2001