<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POPLAR, INC. FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                         667,707
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          37,206
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               910,430
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               318,727
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  7,020,396
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         226,134
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           228,039
<LOANS>                                     13,078,795
<ALLOWANCE>                                    267,249
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              23,160,357
<DEPOSITS>                                  13,672,214
<SHORT-TERM>                                 5,715,582
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            465,351
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,582,160
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       825,690
<OTHER-SE>                                     783,423
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              23,160,357
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,211,850
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              385,473
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                54,380
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,651,703
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             411,492
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             778,691
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          873,012
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  137,213
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               8,933
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                720,682
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                307,019
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     232,348
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   232,348
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.91
<LOANS-NON>                                    262,604
<LOANS-PAST>                                    24,426
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   579
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                101,842
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               211,651
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  164,681
<RECOVERIES>                                    51,770
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              267,249
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           240,196
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                             27,053
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0