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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 2014--

Popular Community Bank, a subsidiary of Popular, Inc. (Nasdaq: BPOP) and one of the nation's premier community banks, together with partner Operation HOPE celebrated the launch of HOPE Inside in the Bronx yesterday. Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene joined local community leaders, entrepreneurs, and customers gathered at the Popular Community Bank branch at 752 East Tremont Avenue to inaugurate the HOPE Inside location that will concentrate on home ownership and financial literacy programs

This is the second HOPE Inside location opened in a Popular Community Bank branch in New York. The first, inaugurated April 1, 2014, is at 231 West 125(th) Street in Harlem. The partnership to develop the HOPE Inside program commenced in November 2013 with a commitment from Popular Community Bank for four locations in the New York area. Popular Community Bank has committed to launch two more HOPE Inside locations this year, starting with a location in Brooklyn's, Crown Heights area.

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"Together we are bringing financial education and resources to underserved neighborhoods, and empowering people in these communities to attain the dream of owning their own home, or to take control of their finances and improve their lives, or to grow a business," said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Operation HOPE, Inc. "We applaud Popular Community Bank for partnering with Operation HOPE to make these programs a reality for New Yorkers, and for being a model for future HOPE Inside locations to come."

"This is about helping people succeed financially to make our community stronger," said HOPE CEO, New York and Division President of Youth Empowerment Group Mary H. Ehrsam. "Financial education gives people the knowledge and information they need to make decisions that will benefit them and their families. Operation HOPE is honored to partner with Popular Community Bank to provide financial empowerment services that will help people set and achieve their financial goals."

"We are thrilled to launch the HOPE Inside Center in the Bronx, the borough where we opened our first branch in New York more than 50 years ago," said Brian Doran, New York Metro Region Executive, Popular Community Bank. "We share the same commitment to enhancing our communities and doing all we can to provide financial resources to people who want to take control of their finances and improve their lives. We value our long-term partnership with Operation HOPE and we're proud to be part of this program."

The HOPE Inside location at the Popular Community Bank East Tremont Avenue branch offers financial literacy programs and "The Homeownership Program." The Program includes homebuyer education, workshops, guest speakers, and one-on-one counseling to guide would-be homeowners through the process of realizing their dream of homeownership.

Classes start Tuesday, June 24(th) in the East Tremont branch lobby and guest speakers will cover loan approval, credit & debt, purchase contracts, escrow/closing costs, necessary paperwork, required savings and more.

Interested participants can obtain more information about the Homeownership Program at the Tremont branch or call (973) 343-9952.

Note: Photographs of the event are available upon request.

About Operation HOPE

The mission of Operation HOPE, Inc. (HOPE) is silver rights empowerment, making free enterprise work for everyone. It promotes financial dignity through the delivery of financial inclusion and education tools to underserved communities. Through its core divisions, the organization has provided youth and adult financial literacy, economic preparedness, digital empowerment, promoted home ownership, and assisted with foreclosure prevention to more than 2 million individuals, families, and small business owners. HOPE's next phase will be focused on Project 5117, a multi-year initiative that will track and increase business role models for youth, boost credit scores for adults, and empower underserved communities. To learn how you can join Project 5117, go to www.operationhope.org.

About Popular Community Bank

Founded in 1893, Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPOP) is the largest banking institution by both assets and deposits in Puerto Rico and ranks 39th in the United States among the largest banks and thrifts by total assets as of March 31, 2014. In the United States, Popular has established a community-banking franchise that does business as Popular Community Bank, providing a broad range of financial services and products, with branches in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida and California.

On April 23, 2014, Popular entered into definitive agreements to sell regional operations in Illinois, Central Florida and California, including 41 branches. Upon regulatory approval of the sales, Popular Community Bank will have 49 branches in the New York/New Jersey and South Florida regions.

Services of Popular are available at branches and online at http://popularcommunitybank.com. For customers seeking more information, call 1-800-377-0800 or email popularnet@bpop.com. Find out about the community service of Popular Community Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PopularCommunityBank.

News on HOPE Inside Harlem event, April 1, 2014: http://www.operationhope.org/news/nid/1567

Photos/Multimedia Gallery for HOPE Inside Harlem event: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140402005960/en/

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140611006330/en/

 CONTACT: Operation Hope 

Sherry John, 213-891-2908

sherry.john@operationhope.org

or

Popular Community Bank

Gabriela B. Maldonado, 787-217-8522

Gabriela.Maldonado@popular.com

 SOURCE: Popular Community Bank Copyright Business Wire 2014 

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