<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BANPONCE CORPORATION FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         492,368
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          19,023
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               778,597
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               292,150
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  3,415,934
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                       1,197,066
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         1,197,641
<LOANS>                                      9,779,028
<ALLOWANCE>                                    185,574
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,764,103
<DEPOSITS>                                  10,763,275
<SHORT-TERM>                                 3,309,471
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            314,012
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,111,713
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       396,531
<OTHER-SE>                                     766,001
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              16,764,103
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                924,076
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              280,610
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                68,167
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,272,853
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             350,221
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             591,540
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          681,313
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   88,839
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               3,094
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                541,919
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                256,027
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     185,150
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   185,150
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.49
<LOANS-NON>                                    145,416
<LOANS-PAST>                                    12,270
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                 3,308
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                140,549
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               168,393
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  107,961
<RECOVERIES>                                    35,901
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              185,574
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           184,771
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                803
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0