EXHIBIT 23.1

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of Popular, Inc. of our report dated February 21, 2002
relating to the financial statements of Popular, Inc., which appear on page 32
of the 2001 Financial Review and Supplementary Information to Stockholders of
Popular, Inc., which is incorporated by reference in Popular, Inc.'s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Juan, Puerto Rico
October 31, 2002