Banco Popular Supports Veterans Small Business Dreams and Entrepreneurship Launching Popular Patriots Loan Program

“Popular Small Business Capital (PSBC), a division of Banco Popular North America (BPNA), one of the nation’s premier community banks and a leading U.S. Small Business Administration Lender, today announced the launch of Popular Patriots Loan Program. Through this program, Banco Popular will support veterans’ small business dreams by paying the guarantee fee on all Small Business Express loans up to $250M and half the guarantee fee on all SBA 7a loans to veterans up to $500M.

The Popular Patriots Loan Program will offer one loan per applicant and will run until December 31, 2007 and is meant to provide a new opportunity for them and their families by becoming small business owners by making affordable financing accessible. Stand alone SBA express loans must be originated through BPNA’s 146 branch network.

“We are excited to partner with the Small Business Administration and offer this opportunity to achieve entrepreneurship to the men and women of the Armed Services,” said Christopher Kwiatkowski, Senior Vice President, Manager, Popular Small Business Capital Division. “We strive to become tireless advocates for small businesses and remain committed to offering affordable financing for our veterans.”

In a March 2007 study by the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, economic difficulties facing returning veterans who have put their civilian jobs on hold for repeated deployments was highlighted. The study, based on government data, found that 11.9% of recently discharged veterans are unemployed, compared with 4.6% of non-veterans. According to the report, there are 1.1 million veterans who have left military service since 2001.(*)

Banco Popular’s Popular Small Business Capital recently confirmed its participation in the New York District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s program which provides veterans with preferential pricing on SBA-guaranteed loans. Additionally, Popular Small Business Capital is also participating in the new Patriot Express Pilot Loan Program, which is a streamlined loan product similar to the SBA Express Program, but with enhanced guarantee and interest rate characteristics. While Banco Popular will be offering its own program nationwide, it will continue to collaborate closely with the U.S. SBA’s Patriot Express Program as well as the SBA’s regional efforts in New York and New Jersey.

PSBC was launched in February of 2006 in order to enhance small business lending through the SBA’s various loan programs. As of June 30, 2007, PSBC has 49 BDOs and is active in all SBA districts nationwide. The division supports small business efforts by offering an array of financial solutions ranging from $150,000 - $5,000,000. For more information about Popular Small Business Capital, please contact 1-800-250-6968 or visit www.popularsmallbiz.com

About Banco Popular

Banco Popular North America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the leading community banks in the U.S. with 146 branches in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas. Its core businesses include retail and commercial banking services, mortgage and consumer lending, and investment services. Banco Popular ranks among the top four Small Business Administration lenders in the country. Banco Popular North America is a subsidiary of Popular, Inc. . For more information about Banco Popular North America, visit the company’s Web site at www.bancopopular.com“

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