EXHIBIT 23.1 PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS [LOGO] PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP PO Box 363566 San Juan PR 00936-3566 Telephone (787) 754-9090 Facsimile (787) 766 1094 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-73242) of Popular Inc. of our report dated February 28, 2003 relating to the financial statements, which appears on page 36 of the 2002 Financial Review and Supplementary Information to Stockholders of Popular, Inc., which is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. s/PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP San Juan, Puerto Rico March 18, 2003